Imagine a lush Secret Garden where dreams are nurtured and where tiny seedlings are encouraged to bloom to their full potential. Children’s Hope India (CHI) invites you to just such a special space. Inspired by the classic children’s novel, ‘The Secret Garden’, this year’s CHI Gala touches upon the theme of rejuvenation and playfully evokes a floral fantasy at Pier Sixty in Manhattan, with wonderful images of children from 20 different CHI projects – the garden of joy the organization has worked hard to nurture and grow.
Children from CHI ProjectsOver 500 guests are expected at Pier Sixty on October 7 as three remarkable people from very different walks of life are honored, each of whom has shown the value of education in their lives. Anand Khubani, innovative entrepreneur, business leader and philanthropist from New Jersey will be honored with the 2018 Lotus Award for Excellence. Khubani is Chairman and CEO of Idea Village Products Corp. and the master marketer behind top-selling TV products. He identifies consumer trends and capitalizes on these trends through products.
Anand Khubani
Ravi Kanth Ganti
Dr. Manjit Bains
Ravi Kanth Ganti, the CHI Making a Difference Award honoree, is CEO of Ekalavya Schools, and leads the team managing five Ekalavya Schools which are low-cost schools exclusively run for underprivileged children in urban slums—four in Hyderabad and one in Bangalore. He has introduced to the schools a mid-day meal program, health camps, and scholarships, in partnership with CHI.
The Special Impact honoree, Dr. Manjit Singh Bains, is a noted Attending Surgeon in the Thoracic Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and a Professor of Surgery at Cornell University Medical College.
The Yale WhiffenpoofsWhen it comes to entertainment, there’s an interesting component to the evening’s performance for it’s by none other than the Yale Whiffenpoofs, America’s Oldest Collegiate a cappella Group – showing that its possible for young people to excel in the arts, along with their education. Irene Fong, the popular New York City electric violinist, will transform the evening in the Secret Garden into a lush musical experience. The evening’s emcee is the noted TV personality Tinku Jain, who is also a philanthropist and Advisory Board Member of Children’s Hope India.
Tinku JainIrene FongAnita Dongre, the celebrity designer, who herself is a supporter of village crafts and women workers, will also be present. Guests will have a chance to bid on a gorgeous saree designed by her which has been modeled by Madhuri Dixit. The super-star unfortunately will not be at the gala but you can take home the stunning saree!
Madhuri Dixit in an Anita Dongre sareeKeeping in mind the reason for the reason for the gala, the fun-filled cocktail and dinner event is focused on raising funds for education. The highlight of the evening will be the live auction of educational, medical and nutrition-focused projects for the schools CHI supports, including a new CHI Ekalavya School in NS Palya ,Bangalore for which there will be live bidding on projects to bring technology into classrooms with remote learning capabilities, as well as medical care, nutrition and college scholarships.
Children in Eklavya School in BangaloreFunds will also be raised for educating children in Anganwah Refugee camp on the Indo Pak Border near Jodhpur, including a learning center for boys and girls on the campground and a bus to transport the children to nearby government schools. This is a vital need as 3-4 km is too far for children to walk in the desert and especially girls cannot walk alone. This auction will be conducted by Sandhya Jain-Patel, formerly Head of the Indian Department at Christie’s New York.
It is an evening where giving, caring and compassion are celebrated – and it’s all happening in the CHI Secret Garden!
It’s all Live! Some highlights of the Live Auction
Chef Gaurav Anand
Dinner for 100 People Designed & Catered by Celebrity Chef Gaurav Anand
Gaurav Anand, chef, caterer and owner of critically acclaimed and internationally recognized restaurants here in NYC and in New Delhi – Bhatti Indian Grill, Moti Mahal Delux and Awadh- is one of the youngest restaurateurs in the city. He has created sold out dinners at the James Beard Foundation, was recently voted the 2018 Best Indian Chef by the FIA and is now due to appear at the New York Wine and Food Festival as a guest chef
Chef Anand will cater for up to 100 of your closest friends and family at your home or your venue of choice. This incredibly enticing dinner will include luxury items such as Maine Lobster, Snow Crab, and New Zealand Baby Lamb Chops, amongst some of his signature menu items.
Valid for weekdays and Sundays – date to be coordinated with Chef Anand’s availability
This service is valued at $10,000 – Bids start at $4,000.
Check out the silent auction items –
About Children’s Hope India: www.childrenshopeindia.org
Related Articles:
Chandrika Tandon receives the Lotus Award, flanked by Maya Rajani, Children’s Hope India president, Tinku Jain, master of ceremonies, and Lavina Melwani, Children’s Hope India co-founder.
Lavina Melwani is a New York-based journalist who writes for several international publications. Twitter@lavinamelwani & @lassiwithlavina
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