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Newsmakers of the Week SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 | The Indian Eye 37

NEWSMAKERS OF THE WEEK

Selected stories about Indian diaspora from our website www.theindianeye.com

SUNIL GAVASKAR ANUPAM KHER

“Third Innings” Raises $200,000 for Actor brings ‘Jaane Pehchaane

Free Pediatric Heart Surgeries Anjaane’ to US and Canada

Fords, NJ:
ricket legend and Padma Bhushan awardee Sunil Gavaskar brought his Mumbai:
“Third Innings” to New Jersey on August 23, helping raise more than
C$200,000 to support free pediatric heart surgeries for children in need. eteran actor Anupam Kher is set to take his hit play ‘Jaane Pehchaane
Hosted at Royal Albert’s Palace in Fords, the One World One Family Anjaane’ to audiences in the United States and Canada. Kher shared
(OWOF) nonprofit event brought together supporters for an afternoon fea- Vthe update on Instagram, expressing excitement about bringing the play
turing an intimate fireside conversation with Gavaskar and a live auction of to audiences across both countries.
rare sports memorabilia, all centered around a shared goal of ensuring that a “We are on our way to USA and Canada! We are really excited to bring
family’s ability to pay does not determine a child’s access to life-saving care. our smash-hit play, #JaanePehchaaneAnjane, to audiences across both coun-
One of cricket’s most celebrated figures, Gavaskar has devoted his “Third tries... To make them laugh, perhaps bring a tear to their eyes, and hopefully
Innings” to humanitarian service, using the platform built through his leg- help them discover a little of themselves in our story,” Kher wrote.
endary career to expand access to essential services for children and families. “See you all very soon. The journey begins! Jai Ho! Play #Theatre,” he
“Through my ‘Third Innings,’ I am dedicated to helping children in need ac- added.
cess life-saving healthcare through One World One Family’s global mission,” Kher also shared a glimpse of his journey from Dubai to Houston.
Gavaskar said. “Our flight from #Dubai to #Houston is 16 hours long. And I think it
OWOF Board Advisor, Mr. Soma Rao and OWOF NorthEast Chapter is showing on the cast of #JaanePehchaneAnjane!” he wrote, adding the
President, Dr. Rekha Rao in their welcome address noted this OWOF event hashtags #JoiningTheTrend.
was about giving children the “Gift of Life”. Access to free pediatric heart The play is now set to be staged for audiences in the US and Canada as
surgeries ensures every child saved has the opportunity to be a productive part of its international journey. Anupam Kher’s new stage production titled
member of our community and reach their full human potential. ‘Jaane Pehchaane Anjaane’ is presented by Anupam Kher Studio, featuring
“Sunil has an extraordinary ability to bring people together, but what is Kher with actor Swaroop Sampat.
most powerful is what he asks us to come together for,” said Kimmell Joslin, With the music for the production being composed by Anu Malik, this
CEO of One World One Family USA. “Over $200,000 was raised in a single marks the first time the composer is creating music for a stage play.
afternoon because people share a belief that a child who needs critical heart The play explores relationships in today’s world. It follows how people
surgery should be able to receive it, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. who seem familiar to each other can still remain strangers in many ways.
We are tremendously grateful to Sunil and to everyone who joined us in New The story delves into emotions, memories, and connections between peo-
Jersey and chose to be part of OWOF’s mission.” ple through drama and music. Singers Shaan, Sukhwinder Singh, and Anandi
The New Jersey event was supported by the Dalal Family Foundation as Joshi have lent their voices to the songs. Lyrics for the play have been written
sponsoring partner and introduced more people to One World One Family’s by Kausar Munir, while choreography is handled by Chirag Aggarwal.
broader work to expand access to free healthcare, education and nutrition The production also includes actors Meghna Malik, Maya Sharma, Vikas
and invited supporters to become part of a growing humanitarian movement Rawat, Shraddha Mandale, and Herman De Souza in the cast.
in the United States and around the world. Continued on next page... >>

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