and children to make them aware of the problem of hunger throughout the world, and to engage them in the efforts to overcome the problem of hunger.  Their enthusiasm, and the happiness on their faces while doing this work, was remarkable.  There were more than 60 volunteers who worked to  package non-perishable nutritious vegetarian food, including soya powder, rice, dried vegetable and multivitamin packs.  This food will be distributed to needy children and families in various Asian countries including India through Rise Against Hunger.
The event was organized by Dr. Manorama S. Gupta, President of Global Peace Foundation.
Advisory Board members Ben Lai, Junko Ishikawa, Dr Caren Rich Dipika Desai and others were present and helped with packaging.
On behalf of the Foundation, Dr. Gupta expressed her heartful thanks to all those who put in time and money for this noble cause and the Advisory Board members.

Last year, the professionals of this department had one of their biggest challenges: responding to the largest blaze in the history of the county: The Wolsey Fire, which began in Ventura county, spread to Los Angeles and headed towards the sea.
By the time it was over, three people died, and 1400 buildings were burned down. But rarely is the emphasis placed on what was saved: 50,000 threatened buildings survived as did tens of thousands of evacuees. Much of that can be attributed to the work of county firefighters.
Today, however, the department that serves more than 4 million people is in crisis: most of its fire teams have 3 staffers instead of the 4 recommended by experts, many of their trucks and rescue vehicles are 20 years or older and its communication systems are three decades old and incompatible with today's digital and wireless systems.
"We haven´t asked the public for help in renovating our equipment for 20 years," Osby said. "Our budget today is only enough for wages and the purchase of supplies to do our job. We need help."
Part of the reason of the deficiency is the increase in the county's population and the existence of various challenges, from the opioid epidemic to homelessness and the proliferation of ever larger and dangerous fires linked to climate change. However, most of the calls this department responds to, when a person calls 911 from one of the 59 cities or service areas, corresponds to a medical emergency.
"We've had a 50% increase in calls in the last 5 years," Captain Chad Sourbeer said. "Do you want to know how many new emergency units we've added in those years? One, one unit. This situation is not sustainable."
This Thursday, Fire Station 14 on the corner of the Normandie and 108th Street in the Athens area of Los Angeles, opened its doors for the public and media to talk to its staff: dispatchers, paramedics and firefighters, who shared the love for their work and the need to maintain the response time and necessary services.
Dispatcher Kristen Smith, one of the voices that heeds the often-desperate calls that come to 911, explained that his calm and efficient voice doesn't just help deliver the help needed when someone calls with a condition that can be fatal.
"We don't just tell the person that help is already on the way, we can't just do that," Smith said. "When someone calls us in a life-or-death situation we can't hang up, we have to stay with them until the paramedics arrive, keep them alive, offer help techniques on the phone. We need more dispatchers, more staff, the population continues to grow."
LA county Fire responds to 400,000 calls each year, Station 14 is one of the busiest in the county, receiving more than 6,000 calls. If calls increase and staff does not, the response time can get longer, or the staff will be stretched and overworked. Eight county firefighters committed suicide in the past eight years.  
The equipment is old too. Many fire engines have obsolete pumps and radios that will not be able to get parts next year, because they no longer manufacture them, explained Captain Guadalupe Muñoz. "We need new radios, but now we don't have the funds and that's why we want to explain to the public that we need a little help."
The Department receives its funds from property taxes and contracts with individual cities. LA County Fire does not receive general funding from the county or any of the cities it serves. But annual revenue does not fill the need for equipment and technology renovation, so essential to doing the fire department job.
Captain Sourbeer explained with an anecdote why response time is essential. One day, his team responded to the call of a 15-year-old girl with severe abdominal pains who did not know what was happening to her. Whey they arrived to evaluate her she was in the in the bathroom of her house, got up and gave birth to a premature little girl, who fell to the ground in front of her astonished eyes.
"We picked the little girl up, she fit in my hand, " said the captain. “I thought she was a still birth, but she started moving. We gave her CPR and took care of her mom, then took both to the emergency room. A week later I received a card from the young woman thanking me for saving her daughter's life. Imagine what would have happened if we had just been delayed for a few minutes."
The Los Angeles County Fire Department invites the community to  visit its webpage http://wearelacountyfire.org and learn about the department's status. "We want you to give us your ideas, tell us your needs and what priorities you think we should have,", he said. 

based out of Cerritos. California. World Refugee Day is celebrated on June 20.  Jagriti pledges to stand with refugees and its annual commemoration of World Refugee Day highlights the problems faced by the indigenous people of Baluchistan, Sindh, Kashmir, Tibet, Bangladesh, and Nepal where economic conditions have displaced people following an major earthquake in 2015.
The program highlighted issues faced by refugees through song, dance, poetry, and drama.
Emcees of the event Bani Mukherjee and Sunny Singh, introduced the audience to Jagriti’s mission of uniting the community. The event focused on showcasing the plight of refuges from Kashmir, Baluchistan and Sindh.  There was a heart touching monologue on Sindh  by  Miss India North America 2018 Vinita Khilnani along with a  monologue on Kashmir ` Tears Of Paradise’ by Vimal Moorty,Mr India North America 2018 and by Dr Amrit Nehru. Dhwani Shah presented a passionate monologue on Baluchistan `Kale Ped ki Gatha, Third war of Panipat” written by Kamlesh Chauhan.
Dr. Parvin Syal, published poet and novelist, composed a poem in Hindi on Jagriti and Swatantrata, which highlighted the various phases leading to the one Nation of India. Similar sentiments were expressed in three monologues, describing the conditions prevalent in Kashmir, Baluchistan, and Sindh. These were dramatized depictions composed by Kamlesh Chauhan.
A number of community leaders were honored at the event.
Keshav Patel and Villas Jadhav from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad were honored by Jagriti for their exemplary services to the community. Patel and Yadav also donated to Jagriti and encouraged community members to give generously to Jagriti. Vasu Pawar of the Indo American Cultural Society of North America, honored Kamlesh Chauhan for her exemplary service to the community for 39 years. This is the first time Chauhan was recognized for her service towards women empowerment,and highlighting the issues of Sindh, Baluchistan and Kashmir.
Honorary Consul General of Nepal to the US, Rishi Dhakal was honored by Jagriti in appreciation of his work on India-Nepal unity. An award was presented to  Aparna Hande and Vilas Jadhav for community service,  author Sheela Bhandary, poet  Rekha Maitre were honored as was Harshid Gill Syal for Literature.  All performers at the event were recognized.
Ramesh Mahajan was honored by Jagriti for his contribution to the local community . He had formed the Little India Chamber of Commerce and had petitioned  the City of Artesia in 1991 to designate the area as “Little India.’’ The entertainment segment included singers Mohinder Sharma, Gurdeep Grewal and Sunita Singh.A  skit on “Aurat Hona Gunah Nahi” based  on a  poem written by   Rachhna Sharma  was presented  by Aparna Hande and Charu Shivkumar. Rekha Maitri recited one of her touching poems. A song was presented by Gurpreet Wahla. Rajeshwari Kulkarni, Kavita Ramachandani also mesmerized the audience with their beautiful songs. The program also included various cultural dances by Aditi Bhattacharya, Priyanka Maji, Vyom Matrani, Megha Arun ,  Nidhi Alle and Jasmin Sivakumaran  and a traditional dance of Nepal by Suraj Shrestha. 

Self Realization was created and a slew of speakers each afternoon exhorted, explained and cajoled their listeners into getting their lives focused on a larger goal both, at the temporal and spiritual levels. 
Speakers
The mornings featured the heavy hitters. On July 5, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev was his blindingly articulate self. Focusing on non-violence or Ahimsa, one of three main tenets of the Jain faith, he spoke of Gandhiji: a man who found peaceful solutions for violent problems. He defined peace only half joking: when humans let things be and don’t mess with anything there is peace; he then pointed out “most people only rest in peace.”  He declared, “there is no such thing as world peace” and only peaceful individuals can create a peaceful world.  The Sadhguru drew applause and appreciation with his points on developing an inner non-violent self and showing how an interconnected world would benefit, saying there is “nothing like your life and my life only enhanced lives.”
Philip Wollen, the well-known animal rights activist spurred everyone on to “make this the Ahimsa century.” Pushing his case for veganism, he said, “George Bush got it wrong, the axis of evil does not run through Iraq but our dining tables. The weapons of mass destruction are our forks and knives and increasingly our chopsticks.”  
Ingrid Newkirk, the famed founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals began by saying that while growing up she had classmates who had wanted to be ballerinas and the like but, “I always wanted to be a Jain.” She said she found them to be the most ethical of peoples and she learned the absolute worth of kindness from them.  She referred to the 1985 case at UC Riverside where a monkey was blinded for a study and the help she received from members of the Jain community in shutting that program down. She remained true to her reputation, making people sit up with her choice words defining artificial insemination of cows as rape and taunting adults who drank milk with, “it is for babies!” 
Unique
Among the things that made the 20th biennial convention standout was, according to several people, that it was the most inter-faith in its programming and approach. ISKCON monk and motivational speaker Gaur Gopal Das was among those who headlined the event. 
Another interesting aspect was that the organizers led by the convention’s convener, Mahesh Wadher determined that the food service on all days be contracted out to volunteers of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills instead of to a professional caterer.  The result were 14 delightful meals based on a menu that closely walked the line on veganism – a practical demonstration of what was being urged from on stage. 
Sessions 
The first Jain is said to have arrived on the shores of America in 1893: Veerchand Gandhi, 125 years ago came to attend the Parliament of Religions. Today, JAINA says there are 165,000 community members in North America striving to live a value-based life. Not only were convention goers helped in this but were also encouraged to explore what the religion can teach the world. 
Among other things, the Jain tenets of Non-Possessiveness or Aparigraha and Multiple Viewpoints or Anekantvad were addressed by the 22 sadhus and sadhvis who had come from Bihar, Nepal, Kutch, Gujarat and other parts of India including Acharya Lokesh Muni and Gurudev Rakeshbhai Jhaveri. The follower of Acharya Chandanaji of India – the first sadhvi to receive the title of acharya - Sadhvi Shilapiji drove a car in procession on the opening day of July 4 and sang a mellifluous Mat Bhool Veer Vani Ko from on stage, providing inspiration to women devotees. 
A big draw was the motivational speaker Rahul Kapoor Jain who was scheduled to speak only once but given the demand to hear him, was quickly requested to accommodate one more on the final day. 
The children and youth meanwhile had their own programs of education and discussion including Jain Connect for ages 21-42, which offered perspectives on making friends or finding a special someone.  Youth also enjoyed the Jain Academic Bowl, a Jeopardy-style vocabulary contest. 
At final count were some staggering numbers: eight tracks featuring 86 breakout sessions and featuring 90 speakers. 
Wadher, who addressed the crowd on the opening day said the mega event had been put together with the help of 600 volunteers, 45 committees and a central planning team that had worked diligently for the past year and a half. He also asked the crowd to maintain a minute’s silence for the late Gurudev Chitrabhanu the renowned Jain leader who had made the US his home and was tireless in bringing the Jain community together irrespective of sect and was the inspiration in the formation of JAINA. Wadher mourned his loss, saying this was the first convention without the spiritual leader.  
Entertainment
The inspiring and all inclusive vision of the Gurudev was palpable. The convention featured several Jain groups from across North America come together seamlessly as one, actively volunteering and participating. It was nicely encapsulated in the cultural program of July 5. Titled, ‘One world, one rhythm’ the colorful show had dances and music from North America, Europe and varied parts of India. It culminated in every single person present at the convention center, including seniors, rising to their feet to dance and sway along.  Other evenings featured a show ‘Bollywood Night,’ and an evening of Raas Garba with live music. 
Recognized
At the conclusion of the convention, volunteers were recognized and praised for their dedication.  Attendees left with smiles on their faces, charged with purpose to live a life worth living. 

totaling $150,000 toward student success.
The Parikh family has a long history of philanthropy in higher education, community colleges and four-year institutions in the US. The Parikhs have a strong connection to Cerritos College through their community and business partnerships in the City of Artesia. Cerritos has a thriving Indian community in Southern California.
“The Board of Trustees has bestowed the naming of The Bhupesh K. Parikh Student Hall in our Student Center Building to recognize the Parikhs for their contribution,” said Dr. Jose Fierro, President and Superintendent of Cerritos College. “We are grateful to introductions by Parimal Shah, Co-Chair of the Foundation Campaign Leadership Committee and Anand Rao, Director of the ​Leprosy Foundation for connecting us to them.After having the opportunity to spend some time with the Parikhs, I am humbled by their generosity and their love for the United States of America and the opportunities this country has afforded them,” “Their generous gift is a testament of their commitment to open the doors for higher education to everyone in our community,” he added
“It just feels right to support Cerritos College and its students. The campus is beautiful and open to the community. Most importantly, it provides a high quality education for students, many of whom are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Parikh. “If we give to the small community colleges where we live and work, and where we make money, that is beneficial. It is our way of saying thank you to America,” he added.
“The Cerritos College Foundation is honored to accept the generous endowment from the Parikh family,” said Clara Potes-Fellow, the Foundation’s Interim Executive Director. “Their gift makes it possible for Cerritos College students to receive scholarships for years to come, and adds to the Foundation’s Finish Great campaign to raise a scholarship endowment of $8 million.”
Monica Lee Copeland, Chief Development Officer of Cerritos College Foundation, shared “I have had the pleasure of meeting many donors, and the Parikhs are true philanthropists.”
The Bhupesh Parikh Health Science Building and the Kumud Parikh Nursing College were the result of gifts to Glendale College where Kumud took accounting classes. The couple also supports Utah State University where Bhupesh earned his undergraduate engineering degree, and the Sandpiper Organization in the South Bay as well as organizations in India, including the Eye Hospital in Dwarka, a lo cal Shreeji Temple, and several grammar schools.
The Kumud Parikh Family Endowed Scholarship is currently receiving gifts from friends and family. Interested donors can contact Monica Lee Copeland, Development Officer at mcopeland@cerritos.edu to contribute. “We have many ways for the community to make an investment in our students as the Parikhs have done. We invite interested parties to take a tour of the campus and explore the possibilities.”  
The Foundation will recognize selected donors on a `Thank You to America’ plaque located within the Bhupesh K. Parikh Student Hall.
A ceremony is being planned during September to commemorate the naming. Students will be able to apply for a Kumud Parikh Family Endowed Scholarship award next year.
Bhupesh immigrated to the United States in 1960 from Kadi, India. He earned his M.S. in structural engineering from the University of Southern California in 1964 and began a successful commercial real estate development practice, Pari Enterprises in Glendale, California. He is a founding trustee of Shreeji Temple located in Southern California and two local banks. The Jain Center of Southern California recognized Bhupesh for his outstanding contribution in the construction of the Jain Bhavan in 1988. Subsequently, Kumud is a well-known Gujarati literary author who has published three short-story collections.

and the creation of new, nutritional foods. A plant-based diet typically avoids meat products and focuses instead on minimally processed foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains and nuts.
“If students don’t get exposure to alternative foods, such as plant-based foods, they have not attained the full breadth of knowledge required to know the entire scope of what kind of foods to offer to people,” Shah said. “Whether they go into a restaurant business or institutional catering, this knowledge is important because more demands are being placed on the food industry to become more cognizant of alternative foods that are healthier and not meat- or animal-based.”
Shah is the CEO and chairman of Kovair Software, a software product company based in San Ramon, California, with offices in India. He also contributed towards Cal Poly Pomona’s Ahimsa Center, which guides students, K-12 educators and the community on ways of thinking and living through nonviolence toward others and themselves.
“Vegetarian or plant-based food is friendlier to ecology and the environment,” Shah said. “Having a plant-based minor should be a good option for students to study and then explore it further for themselves in their careers.”
Huntley College of Agriculture students and faculty over the summer and fall will provide input to develop the minor, which includes identifying courses and lab components, and their suggestions will be presented to internal stakeholders, including Cal Poly Pomona administrators, to further refine the curriculum.
Professor Harmit Singh, chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, led a healthy Indian cuisine competition at Cal Poly Pomona in 2018 to introduce plant-based diets since Indian meals are largely vegetarian. This further developed Shah’s interest in promoting a plant-based nutrition minor at the university. “I know that the way my wife, my mom and my grandma cook is important and healthy, but there is not much scientific knowledge to back it up,” Singh said. “We can create that exposure to share the knowledge and information with each other.”

He gave a power point presentation on various topics including VHPA ‘s mission & projects to be adopted by chapters; celebration of Golden Jubilee  in 2020; the Threads Conference in Nov 2019 in Boston; Seva projects in America and India among others. On June 9, the first session of VHPA Executive Board was held at the Sanatan Dharma Temple in Norwalk. Asthana was  welcomed with flowers by Aparna Hande following  which Keshav Patel, President of  VHPA LA chapter welcomed the guests. B U Patel, Trustee of Sanatan Dharma Temple also welcomed Asthana and lauded the VHPA activities. Asthana invited Patel for the Golden Jubilee and The Thread conference.  Asthana  gave a power point presentation which was informative and educational. The second session was held at the Gayatri Chetana Center. Sheela Kene introduced Asthana whom Charu Shiva Kumar greeted with flowers. Kaushik Patel, Vice President of VHPA, LA and Trustee of GCC, welcomed him with presentation of a shawl.  Asthana expressed great pleasure at meeting VHPA & Vichar Manch members for a common cause. An enlightening Q & A session followed. Villas Jadhav conducted the session which ended with Charu Shiv Kumar  giving the vote of thanks.

a prayer for recently reelected Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi  who was sworn into office for a second term. 
Over 300 members, supporters, and senior leaders from well-regarded organizations like OFBJP Los Angeles team, Gayatri Parivaar, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Hindu AmericaFoundation , Vishwa Hindu Parishad America , Indian Cultural Society of Los Angeles , United Federation of Indo-Americans in California , and Shivaji Maharaj America Parivaar  attended and assisted in completing the Vijay Sankalpa Yagnya.
P. K. Nayak, Southern California/Los Angeles Coordinator, and Vijay Patil, General Secretary, began the evening by welcoming everyone who took time out of their Sunday to celebrate the Prime Minister’s win. Continuing Nayak and Patil explained to all in attendance, especially to those who were unaware, that the event at hand was a conclusion to the Vijay Sankalpa Yagnya which had started on January 6 in the same location.  “Our Sankalpa is to complete the prayer we started earlier this year and the people of India have shown their overwhelming support to the remarkable leadership of Narendra Modi Ji. Instead of throwing a grand party, we are performing a traditional Yagnya to celebrate the victory and complete our Sankalpa,” said Nayak. Kaushik Patel was then invited by Patil to begin the program.
Attendees were invited by the All World Gayatri Parivaar team to come to the forefront to start the 24 kund yagnyas. Mahesh Bhatt took the audience through a meditational journey and described the importance of Pranayama. As this took place all chanted the Gayatri Mantra.
Subsequently a formal hour long Yagnya, numerous prayers, inspirational songs, and a Maha Aarti was performed to create positive vibrations and good luck for Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming five years in office.
Post the prayer ceremony various community members said a few words. Those who spoke included  Parimal Shah, Anil Mahajan, Gopal Chaturvedi, Dr. Rangesh Gadasalli, Pranav Dedsai, and Raju Patel among others. Overall their messages were similar- happiness that Prime Minister Modi had won and been reelected as well as explanations of how India has changed under Modi. A few even stated that before we know it, it will be time to focus on the 2024 elections. Some additionally touched based on the efforts the OFBJP Los Angeles chapter has been doing over the past 5 months. “We thank you all for your efforts in this historical victory and appreciate your support for today’s event,” said Parimal Shah. Closing the program, Jitu Patel requested the audience to observe a moment of silence in honor of the individuals who recently lost their lives in Surat, Gujrat. The event came to a close with Mahaprasad being served to all.

and other organizations, came together to present the `Jai Ho’ tour featuring Sukhwinder Singh with special guest Amruta Fadnavis at the Cerritos Center of Performing Arts on May 26. The aim was to raise funds to continue to provide free medical care and free surgeries to the needy in Southern California as well as raise awareness and education in cardiovascular diseases, lymphoma, and leukemia and promote women empowerment. 
Members of the Executive Committee for the Southern California `Jai Ho’ Tour were invited on stage by Dr. Bharat Patel, President of ALAPIO. 
“This is the first time all four local organizations have come together to host an event,” said Patel,additionally informing the audience of more events to come. Patel then asked Dr. Mahesh Vyas, Chairman of the event, to say a few words. Vyas spoke about the importance of empowering women. Informing everyone in attendance of South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency (SAHARA) which encourages and empowers women. Vyas then announced that $5,000 will be donated to SAHARA to support their mission.
Dr. Naresh Parikh, President of AAPI,  invited to the stage some of the national promoters, sponsors, and members. National sponsors were Thakkar Developers, 27th Investments, and Legally Mine. Local sponsors were Dr. Anil Shah with Smart Villages Initiative and Beverly Surgery Center of Dr. Bharat Patel.
Parikh continued by detailing the purpose of the evening and mentioned that this event epitomizes one of the missions of AAPI.
“One of AAPI’s goals is to bring local chapters together,” said Parikh. 
The music, which fans were eagerly awaiting stated with Sukhwinder Singh  presenting the audience with an assortment of songs ranging in different genres from his decades in the industry.  Attendees were enthralled and found it hard to remain seated. They excitedly danced in the aisles in a spirit of elation. Those who were still in their seats  cheered, clapped, tapped, stomped, and whistled to the beat of the tracks to demonstrate their love  and enthusiasm.
Special guest Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, came to the stage in a black and silver glittering outfit. “Today is all about fun. So sit back, relax, and enjoy to the fullest,” she said.
Raat Akeli Hai and Aa Jaane Ja were hits from yesteryears which were appreciated by the audience. Fadnavis then sang a mashup of songs from this decade: Bulleya with Mere Rashke Qamar. She seamlessly transitioned between tracks. She completed her set, then thanked the musicians and everyone in attendance.
Despite getting impatient and chanting for Sukhwinder Singh to come on stage and perform, the audience was presented with Madhvi Shrivastav. 
After hearing Shrivastav’s voice audiences were captivated. She sang a variety of tracks from the golden era. Shrivastav sang Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko, Aap Jaisa Koi, Laila Mein Laila, Piya Tu Ab To Aaja, and Yeh Mera Dil wonderfully. Not only did she sing beautifully, Shrivastav also emoted and performed the tracks will ease to engage the audience.
Making the impatient audience wait slightly longer, Patel came back on stage to introduce and invite Naresh Solanki, Mayor of Cerritos.
“We are so proud to have an Indian as the Mayor of the city often referred to as little India town,” said Patel.
Solanki briefly spoke about the venue being a crown jewel for the city and to present plaques of recognition to the performers. Due to Mayor Solanki’s plaque and recognition, Sukhwinder Singh had to come on stage and receive this honor prior to having officially graced the audience with his presence.
“It is an honor to be here with such amazing artists,” said Mayor Solanki.
The time had come for the highly anticipated aspect of the evening. The musicians were ready to go; an audio visual presentation was shown to the audience to introduce the amazing and talented Sukhwinder Singh. Taking a few minutes to interact and talk to the audience, Singh explained how after seeing the love and admiration Solanki was receiving he (Singh) suddenly realized why Indians move abroad even though India has everything needed. 
“Now I understand why despite having everything in India why some people move abroad, it is to increase the respect,” said Singh requesting Solanki to come on stage so he could give him a hug.
Subsequently, Singh shared the story of the well-known and loved Chaiyya Chaiyya. Additionally, he noted, regardless of the numerous songs I have sang and will sing, I will always be known as the Chaiyya Chaiyya boy. Singh then requested Shrivastav to come back on stage to accompany him to sing the female lyrics of the tracks. 
The crowd went wild when the beats of the song that is synonymous to him began from the film Dil Se. Singh sang this song in his own signature style.
Layi Vi Na Gayi was the next track. Singh mentioned how this is one of the saddest songs he has ever sang yet people always dance to this number. Beedi was the track that got individuals out of their seats and on their feet in the aisles as was the internationally well-known Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire. 
Singh sang his songs in variations from the original thus demonstrating his incredible talent and knowledge of music. Clips of the tracks from the movies Singh was singing were presented to the audience in the background on a projection screen. Giving the band a chance to demonstrate their talents, Singh sporadically would halt singing briefly to have various artists showcase their mastery. Aaj Mera Je Karda brought Singh’s Punjabi background to the forefront with his version of this track. Gallan Goodiyaan, Udi Udi Jaye, and Banthan were some of the many songs Singh sang which garnered audience appreciation. The evening came full circle as Singh sang a mashup of Chaiyya Chaiyya, Beedi, and Jai Ho to bring the concert to a close.

The night was filled with entertainment, heartening stories, and many opportunities to support the youth living  in the urban slums of India. 
The event was kicked off by one of the key sponsors, Pankaj Kumar, CTO of UNIFY, who welcomed the  guests with a brief anecdote emphasizing the importance of kindness. He mentioned the significance of going against human nature of taking shortcuts and, instead, pouring that same energy into the world through generosity and taking a step, no matter how big or small, towards helping others. On that note, he thanked the audience for doing their share of imparting good in the world and introduced Kushal Raj, the founder of Lotus Petal Foundation. 
What Raj brought to the audience without a doubt, was the highlight of the night. Raj took his time recalling his humble beginnings of creating this impactful organization eight years ago. During the brutal Delhi winter in 2011, Raj was worried that the bundle of layers on his two daughters were not enough to keep them warm as they waited for the school bus. However, sorrow and sympathy clutched Raj’s heart