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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 21, 2022 | The Indian Eye 32

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 2022

Desai Foundation raises over $150,000

at their 9th Annual Diwali-on-Hudson Celebration

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
he Desai Foundation hosted
their annual Diwali-on-The
THudson fundraising event at
HK Hall in New York City. The event
held on Wednesday, October 12th,
brought together the who’s who of New
York’s South Asian influencer scene.
Diwali on the Hudson celebrates
India’s largest holiday, Diwali, also
known as the Festival of Lights, while
also showcasing the work done by The
Desai Foundation. The Desai Foun-
dation now in its 25th year, empowers
women and children through commu-
nity programs that focus on health,
livelihood, and menstrual equity.
They are currently operating in 2,500
villages, and have a reach of nearly 5
million people. Their work cultivates
dignity so that everyone can dream
beyond their circumstances.
Desai Foundation was recently
highlighted at Clinton Global Initia-
tive ReLaunch for their Commitment
to Women + Girls. CGI, which brings
together established and emerging
leaders for opportunities to collab-
oratively tackle pressing issues, rec-
ognized the work of three nonprofits
and their leadership during this plena-
ry session and included the work done
by The Desai Foundation.
Diwali-on-The Hudson launched
nine years ago, has been a pioneer for
other glamorous Diwali events and
parties alike. This year’s celebration
brought in 300 guests, including Cap-
tain Kirk Douglas (The Roots), Co-
median Zarna Garg, Actress Melanie
Chandra, Actress Ami Sheth, Model
Diva Dhavan, Grammy Winner Falu
Shah, Parag Mehta (JPM), Chef Palak
Patel, Candidate Suraj Patel, Actress incredible artists all while raising Distilleries & 1947, Live Tinted, Holi Foundation is a registered 501(3) c.
& Autor Sheetal Sheth, and many money for the people we serve in ru- Chic, Modi Toys, SpiceWell, Hum- It empowers women and children
other influential leaders in the South ral communities” said Megha Desai, mingway, Taza Tea, Preserve, and through community programming to
Asian community. President of The Desai Foundation. Brown Girl Magazine. elevate health, livelihood, and men-
“This year’s Diwali on the Hud- Singer, and songwriter Rhea Raj Board Member Sindhya Vallop- strual equity for rural India. This pub-
son was extremely special! Not only is performed her viral hit song “Out- pillil Kalghatgi & Leadership Council lic programmatic non-profit has 30
it an honor to bring our local commu- side” while DJ Suhel entertained the Member & Major Donor Karam Hin- programs and operates in eight states
nity together with this beautiful cele- crowd all evening - it was the first time duja helped the organization reach in India. For the past 25 years, The
bration, but we did it while surpassing she ever performed the song live! their fundraising goal while Executive Desai Foundation has been perfecting
our fundraising goal! We have gar- Food was sponsored by Desi Galli Director Mittal Gohil shed light on their programming by listening to the
nered such incredible support from and other partners for the evening the work done by the foundation by people they serve.
our friends, and donors and have had included American Airlines, Ranavat, sharing stories from the field work. Photos by
the opportunity to showcase so many Nandanson’s, beverages by Rampur The Desai Foundation Desai J’Adore Andy Photography

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