Page 22 - The Indian EYE 100226

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 02, 2026 | The Indian Eye 22

Shradhaa Foundation revives annual

fundraiser, expands humanitarian mission

OUR BUREAU
Edison, NJ
he Shradhaa Foundation, a
New Jersey-based 501(c)(3)
Tnonprofit supporting widows
and children of Indian soldiers of
Havildar rank and below, held its
annual fundraiser on September 20,
marking the return of the event after
a three-year hiatus.
The programme brought togeth-
er members of the Indian-American
community to remember the sacri-
fices of Indian soldiers, honour their
families and raise support for the
Foundation’s humanitarian work.
A key feature of the event was
a military story focusing on the fam-
ily of late Major Sharma, who died
from an infection caused by wounds
sustained during the 1971 Battle of
Longewala. His youngest son was
only two years old when he died.
His widow, Suraj Sharma, raised
their three children while also build-
ing a business despite having no pre-
vious experience in the field. The
presentation highlighted the person-
al and social challenges she faced
and her determination to support
her family.
The family’s connection with the
Indian Army continued into the next
generation. Her two sons later joined
their father’s regiment, the Rajputa-
na Rifles, while her daughter mar-
ried an officer of the Jat Regiment.
The programme also recalled
a military operation conducted in a
high-altitude region in 1994 by the
2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles. cade and commended the Shradhaa gramme. singers Krishna, Nazi, Rantik, Vid-
The operation was planned by Foundation for its work with families The proposed expansion rep- hya and Prakhar Ghosh. Nazi also
then-Officiating Commanding Offi- and communities in need. resents a broader humanitarian focus served as master of ceremonies.
cer Col. Virendra Tavathia (Retd.), for the Foundation while retaining Organisers said the event re-
who is a co-founder and trustee of Foundation expands its mission its existing commitment to families ceived a positive response from at-
the Shradhaa Foundation. It was suc- A significant development at the of Indian soldiers. tendees, with several guests express-
cessfully executed by then-Captain fundraiser was a proposal by young ing support for the Foundation’s
Uttam Dikshit, who was awarded the members of the Indian diaspora to Cultural programme mission and pledging additional con-
Sena Medal for his leadership during expand the Foundation’s humanitari- The fundraiser was held at Roy- tributions.
the operation. an work to include orphaned children al Albert Palace, which provided the The Foundation said it contin-
Dikshit, now Col. Uttam Dikshit affected by conflicts around the world. venue and audio-visual facilities for ued to receive calls of encourage-
(Retd.), attended the fundraiser with Following a review of the propos- the programme. ment and commitments from sup-
his wife, Reena Dikshit, and his sis- al, the Foundation’s trustees unani- Shradhaa Foundation co-found- porters following the fundraiser.
ter, Anuradha Jogi. mously agreed to expand its mission er Seema Jagtiani and President The annual event, organisers
The event was also attended by to support such children. Rajeev Chaudhary were involved in said, remains focused on remember-
the sitting Member of Parliament Dr. Suresh, a member of the organising the event and its presen- ing the sacrifices of Indian soldiers
from the Anand constituency, who Board of Directors of TIE, pledged tation. while providing practical support to
spoke about efforts to modernise In- $5,000 towards the initiative and of- The evening featured patriotic families who continue to live with the
dia’s armed forces over the past de- fered to assist in developing the pro- and inspirational performances by consequences of that service.

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