DFW Gala 2012
As the sun set over the city of Irving, on September 22, 2012, Pratham supporters from all over the DFW area gathered in the Irving Convention Center to celebrate literacy, children, and the trait of generosity. It was the evening of Pratham DFW's Annual Gala, raising funds to enable millions of children in India to stay in school and learn well. Attendees dressed up to the hilt in keeping with the theme of Indian Cinema, and came prepared to compete in the best dressed competitions! Judges Divya Agrawal, Ruby and Raj Bhandari admitted that identifying winners was an uphill task!
The social hour allowed attendees to walk the red carpet, get portraits taken, pose for the contests, meet up with friends, make new friends, and enjoy delicious sips and bites in a festive environment replete with live music. The fantastic art auction that was put together by the Pratham DFW Teens and Kids' Club created quite a buzz, as guests went back and forth increasing their bids to be able to take home some of the creative art.
Keynote, Mr. Naveen Jain, entrepreneur, philanthropist, visionary and technology pioneer, highlighted the critical nature of the early years of a child, and the need for a strong emotional foundation. Pratham's programs for elementary grade children have been very successful in serving this segment. His wife, Mrs. Anu Jain, also in attendance, identifies with the cause whole heartedly, and has been associated with Pratham Seattle for several years.
Dr. Madhav Chavan, Founder of Pratham, thanked the DFW community for its continued support. He shared that when asked what keeps him going, one of the things he thinks about is all of Pratham donors, who believe in the need for education for all, and the efficacy of the vehicle that Pratham is.
Then came time for fund raising, Pratham DFW supporters showed that We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. The goal for the evening was quickly surpassed.
The entertainment included a delightful raas dance by the little students of Sur Sangam, and true Bollywood dance medleys by Mohini Dance Troup. Guests continued mingling over a lavish dinner and stayed on until late night for some spirited dancing on the dance floor!
Thank you to our in-kind donors:
Needle in a Haystack
FunAsia
Weddings by Alpa
Bombay Photography
Vogue International, Mr. Paul Pandian, and IANT
Sur Sangam
Our appreciation also extends to our vendors Alphagraphics of Carrollton, Riz Entertainment, Bollywood Strings, Mohini Dance Group, Mughlai, Irving Convention Center for making this event successful.
View photos from the Pratham DFW Gala here.
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