Page 20 - The Indian EYE 110626

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 06, 2026 | The Indian Eye 20

The Desai Foundation Celebrates 13 Million Lives

Impacted at 13th Annual Diwali on The Hudson Gala

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
ore than 400 supporters of
The Desai Foundation came
Mtogether for the 13th annual
Diwali on the Hudson on October 22
at HK Hall in New York City. One of
the city’s longest-standing Diwali cel-
ebrations, the annual event is open to
everyone and raises critical funds for
women and children in rural India
through programs focused on health,
livelihood, and menstrual equity.
Named one of the Top 10 plac-
es to celebrate Diwali by Time Out
last year and previously featured on
Good Morning America, the evening you grew up with the festival or are nounced as a Clinton Global Initiative The night was filled with food,
brought together New York’s commu- experiencing it for the first time, and Commitment to Action, will expand drinks, music, dancing, and immer-
nity of philanthropists, creatives, entre- every guest who walks through the the Foundation into West Bengal and sive experiences throughout HK Hall.
preneurs, artists, and changemakers. door is helping a woman or girl in help girls stay in school, manage their Baked by Melissa created a show-stop-
The host committee included rural India build a brighter future.” - periods with dignity, and dream be- ping installation of Diwali-flavored
Sindhya Valloppillil & Nikhil Kalghat- Megha Desai, President, The Desai yond their circumstances. cupcakes arranged into the shape of
gi, Hitha Palepu, Miraj Patel & Ami Foundation The Foundation also announced a diya, while Mr. Paanwala served his
Sheth, Arianna Afsar, Falu & Gaurav The celebration marked another its mission to help thousands of signature paan dramatically set on fire
Shah, Sree Srinivasan, and more. milestone for The Desai Foundation, schools across India become compli- before being enjoyed by guests. The
Among those celebrating were which has now impacted more than 13 ant with the Supreme Court of India’s evening also featured Malai ice cream,
Grammy Award-winning musician million lives across more than 4,000 recognition of menstrual health as food from Desi Galli, chai from Kol-
Falu and Gaurav Shah; Broadway villages in eight states and is expand- part of the constitutional right to life kata Chai, and D’YAVOL, the luxu-
actress Lauren Mariasoosay, cur- ing into a ninth. The Foundation oper- and dignity under Article 21, along- ry spirits brand from Bollywood icon
rently starring as Eliza Hamilton in ates 33 programs, including its Asani side a campaign helping girls under- Shah Rukh Khan and his son Aryan
Hamilton; beauty creator Arshia menstrual equity initiative, which has stand and advocate for their rights. Khan, as a beverage partner.
Moorjani and Vishal Moorjani; for- produced 13 million sanitary napkins Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sent Guests also received gifts from
mer Senior Advisor to Vice Presi- through five women-run production a letter of warm Diwali wishes to at- a range of South Asian and global
dent Kamala Harris Opal Vadhan; units and reached more than 2.1 mil- tendees, congratulating The Desai brands, including Tribe Bohemian,
and Indo Warehouse’s Kunal Mer- lion women. Its programs have also Foundation on reaching more than 13 RANAVAT, NAVAA, Rampur Whis-
chant, alongside leaders and tas- reached 716,000 people through ane- million lives and recognizing its work key, 1947, Doosra, Aaji’s, MA Cos-
temakers from across New York’s mia awareness and testing, served empowering women and children metics, Burlap & Barrel, MCoBeau-
entertainment, food, fashion, busi- 193,000 people through health camps, across rural India. She connected the ty, Pareva Beauty, Lladró, ANOKHI
ness, and cultural communities. and trained thousands of women in Foundation’s mission to the spirit of LIFE, Gold House, and SALUTE.
“Diwali is about bringing light to livelihood skills. Diwali and the triumph of light over Proceeds from Diwali on the
the people around you. Diwali on the This year, the Foundation also darkness, encouraging attendees to Hudson support The Desai Founda-
Hudson has always been open to any- announced two major initiatives. A continue being a light in their own tion’s programs empowering women
one who wants to celebrate, whether new partnership with Girl Rising, an- communities. and children throughout rural India.

www.TheIndianEYE.com