Sufi performer Kailash Kher at Evening in Kashmir

Kashmir Comes to Manhattan

Each year Children’s Hope India pays tribute to a different part of India at its fundraising galas. This year the spotlight is on Kashmir, especially in wake of the devastating floods in that region. CHI has donated a preliminary $10,000 toward immediate relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims.

‘Evening in Kashmir’ Gala on October 12 at Pier Sixty in Chelsea Piers recreates Srinagar in Manhattan. The funds raised will go to the over 20 ongoing CHI education and heath projects in different parts of India as well as to a new educational initiative at a school in Kashmir.

What better way to start the evening than with a heartfelt invocation for peace and well-being by the renowned Sufi performer Kailash Kher?  The singer  receives the Pride of Kashmir Award for his unifying music and his philanthropy.  As Kher says, “You can live each day in fear of dying, or live each moment in celebration of life”

Kher along with AR Rahman participated in a popular TV show organized by the United Nations to raise awareness of human trafficking, female feticide,  child labor and other social issues. He has been awarded by the UN for his  contributions to the Millennium Development Goal. Kher has performed for many charity fundraisers and is the ambassador for Maa Foundation,  an NGO which works with underprivileged children.

Over 500 people are expected from the tri-state area at Evening in  Kashmir and the chief guest is Ambassador Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay. The great  sarodist Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan   are  expected to attend.  Guests will get to enjoy Kashmiri dishes and decor and the dress code is formal, Kashmiri touches welcome. The emcee for the evening is  standup comic Anish Shah who will certainly bring a smile  to everyone’s lips.

This year the Lotus Award  honors Dr. Nirmal K. Mattoo, the noted  nephrologist and philanthropist who is a proud Kashmiri and Indian, and has  enhanced the awareness of Indian culture with his leadership role with the  India Chair at Stony Brook University. As Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Center, he has spearheaded a $5 million permanent endowment campaign for the Center.  He and his wife have also established an endowed Chair at the Center, the Nirmal and Augustina Mattoo Chair in Indic Humanities.

Children’s Hope India is also honoring longtime supporters and stalwarts of the Indian community, Harish and Sumitra Mistry, with a Special Recognition Award for their generosity and caring.

Two decades ago Children’s hope India  started as a small group of women professionals hoping to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged children. Now in 2014 Children’s Hope India has over 20 projects across India impacting over 250,000 children, looking after their health, education and vocational training.

www.childrenshopeindia.org.

 The Gift of Knowledge at Children’s Hope India

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