Pratham Houston board members with Waheeda Rehman, Pratham Ambassador and Dr. Madhav Chavan, Co Founder Pratham. Photos: Bijay Dixit
SUGAR LAND: One majestic, Rajasthani-style home, in Sugar Land, TX was buzzing with excitement on May 11, as about 100 guests came together to show their support for Pratham, one of the largest NGOs dedicated to ending child illiteracy in India. Himadri and Harish Katharani hosted a VIP reception at their home the evening before the 2018 Pratham Houston Gala, where guests had the chance to meet the Gala Guest of Honor, Bollywood actress and Pratham Ambassador, Waheeda Rehman.
The event was hosted outdoors, with guests mingling among a beautiful fountain, an elegantly adorned stage, and exotically crafted architecture. Stationed throughout the party were delectable fresh snacks seemingly straight from the streets of India catered by Narin Sehgal of Bombay Brasserie. A talented flute player serenaded guests with Bollywood hits, with the band playing songs from Guide as a tribute to Waheeda Rehman; As the iconic actress disclosed during her on-stage interview with the event’s emcee, Pratham Houston Executive Board Member, Meena Datt, Guide is her favorite film from her acting career.
When asked about hosting the event, Himadri and Harish Kathrani stated that they were “humbled and honored to host the Pratham VIP reception in honor of Waheeda Rehman and Pratham dignitaries, Madhav Chavan, Rukmini Banerji, and Farida Lambay.” They then thanked Pratham for the “opportunity to meet and greet Pratham VIP donors.”
Himadri and Harish Katharani (VIP Reception Hosts) with Waheeda Rehman, Pratham Ambassador.
Pratham Houston President, Asha Dhume thanked all the donors and requested Waheeda Rehman to present a few plaques of recognition. Plaque recipients included Pratham CEO, Rukmini Banerji; Gala Chairs, Swatantra and Bimla Jain; Gala Co-Chairs, Aarvind and Mai Melligeri, and Dhiren and Anila Shethia; Gala Honorary Chairs, Dhamo and Rema Dhamotharan, Himadri and Harish Katharani (VIP Reception Hosts), Leena and Ash Shah (Past Pratham Houston President), Rasool Shaik and Shama Tanveer Shaik, and Somesh and Jyothi Singh; and last, but definitely not least, the much appreciated Leader of the Pratham Houston Volunteers, Darel D’Souza. Plaque recipients that were unable to attend the event or missed the award portion included Gala Benefactors, Seema and Shawn Karande and Shital and Bhavesh Patel, along with Gala Co-Chairs, Charlie and Angela Yalamanchili.
The evening closed with a family feel, with Pratham’s own Co-Founder, Madhav Chavan, taking the stage to sing various tunes for the crowd. He was later followed by none other than the host herself, Himadri Katharani, singing a classical number for her guests.
It is fair to say that Pratham USA is a home away from home for many of the guests attending this event. While Pratham has already reached over 50 million children in India during its 23-year history, Pratham USA aims to fund this mission even further. With the help of its supporters, Pratham strives to make “Every Child in School and Learning Well” a reality.
Pratham USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a consistent four-star rating from Charity Navigator that seeks to raise awareness and mobilize financial resources for Pratham’s work in India. For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution, visit www.prathamusa.org.
By Peace Cowen, Development Associate at Pratham USA.
Pratham Houston Board members and their spouses at the Pratham Houston Gala 2018 held on Saturday, May 12 at Hilton Americas in Downtown Houston. Standing: Dr. Randeep Suneja (left), Anil Shah, Brij Kathuria, Sagar Naik, Pankaj Dhume, Somesh Singh, Mehul Parikh, Dhamo Dhamotharan, and Shawn Karande. Sitting: Seema Suneja (left), Purnima Shah, Shital Patel, Annu Naik, Asha Dhume, Jyothi Singh, Dr. Sapna Singh, Seema Karande, and Rema Dhamodharan. Photos: Bijay Dixit
HOUSTON: Houston participated in one of its most resplendent events, the Pratham Houston Gala 2018 held on Saturday, May 12 at the spectacular Hilton Americas in Downtown Houston. One of the premier events of the local Indian – American social calendar, the gala celebration, attended by more than 900 people and a complete sell out, was a grand success with an amalgam of glam and truly heartfelt emotions.
Pratham, one of India’s largest education charities, has its presence in 23 of India’s 29 states, having its methods replicated in a dozen countries, including Mexico. The first US chapter was founded in Houston in 1999 by prominent Indian-American businessman and philanthropist Vijay Goradia, who was looking to make a difference back home. Last year, donors in the US contributed $20 million for Pratham’s mission to have “every child in school and learning well”. Through their noble act Pratham has affected the lives of more than 50 million underprivileged children in the past two decades. Pratham USA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is a 5-star charity. It is listed as one of the top ten charities in Houston by Charity Navigator, as mentioned in Houston Chronicle in November 2017.
Gala Chairs & Pratham USA CFO Swatantra Jain and wife Bimla Jain with Pratham Ambassador & Bollywood actress Waheeda Rehman.
The evening began with National Anthems of United States and India, sung by Apoorva Das and Pooja Vettical. Co-emcees for the evening were LA-based Indian-American comedian and entertainer Rajiv Satyal, whose high-energy and unique brand of clean comedy was a hit with the multi-generational crowd and had everyone in titters throughout the evening and along with him was Bollywood actress and former Miss India Neha Dhupia.
Pratham Houston President, Asha Dhume welcomed the guests and thanked everyone for attending. She said, “ Pratham means first and I am truly humbled that so many of you chose Pratham first tonight and came here, your presence here means a lot to me and thank you from the bottom of my heart”. Citing the organization’s positive impact on “50 million underprivileged children in its 23-year history,” she encouraged audiences to donate generously and pointed out that in a country where nearly 100 million children cannot read or write, “there are many more mountains to climb”. She thanked Gala Chairs – Swatantra and Bimla Jain, Gala Benefactors – Shawn and Seema Karande, Bhavesh and Shital Patel, and Gala Co-Chairs – Aravind and Mai Melligeri, Dhiren and Anila Shethia, and Chowdary and Angela Yalamanchili and also thanked everyone else for their donations and support. She thanked her team: Vice President Dr. Randeep Suneja, Mani Surkari, Dimple Kalani, Manasi Pendharkar, and Houston Board of Directors. She shared her heartfelt thanks for Vikas Bahl, Brij Kathuria, Simran Rihal, and Darel D’Souza and his team of most dedicated volunteers.
Consul General Dr. Anupam Ray with Pratham USA Chairman, Deepak Raj.
Veteran Bollywood actress Waheeda Rehman, graced the event as the guest of honor. She has also been the goodwill Ambassador of Pratham since early 2000. She said, “I am happy to see Pratham grow bigger and I also am very happy to see all of you here today”. Thanking the audience, she mentioned that she hoped they will continue to support Pratham. Her quick speech was followed by the Gala Chairs and Pratham Visionaries Swatantra Jain and wife Bimla Jain coming up to present the plaque to Waheeda Rehman as a token of appreciation. Jain complimented this by singing a couple of lines from the veteran’s famous movie Guide. He also complimented Asha Dhume for a successful gala.
Ganpat Luche, Former Pratham Vocational training student with Host & Bollywood star Neha Dhupia.
Commending on the tremendous work being done by Pratham, Dr. Anupam Ray, Consul General of India, Houston stated, “Education will determine the speed at which India becomes a rich and powerful nation. I have myself seen the work Pratham does in India. Its activities have a huge positive impact and I am glad to be associated with it.” Deepak Raj, Pratham USA President presented a plaque to Dr. Ray as a token of appreciation. Dr. Rukmini Banerji, the Chief Executive Officer, Pratham Education Foundation in her speech said, “ I have been here many time and I am always impressed by the energy and warmth Houston gives us.” Elaborating on Pratham’s noble cause, she encouraged everyone to support the organization.
She was soon followed on stage by Neha Dhupia who introduced Ganpat Luche, Pratham’s vocational training program graduate, and one of the millions of youth impacted by Pratham’s programs. At the age of 23, he earned Rs.1300, the equivalent of $35, a month doing odd jobs. After completing a course in hospitality with Pratham, Ganpat, now 29, takes home $800 a month as a waiter in Dubai and is saving to buy a piece of land in his village, where he plans to start his own restaurant. His closing words echoed the sentiment of the entire evening: “I ask you all to continue supporting Pratham and we, the youth of India, will not disappoint you,” leaving the audiences visibly moved.
Designer Tarun Tahiliani with models.
While delectable dinner was served by Daawat catering, pledge drive was conducted by Dr. Sapna Singh and Mark Turner, while the charming and master at the art of auctioning, Dr. Subodh Bhuchar managed the live auction with Turner. The evening was bedazzled by a special attraction, a scintillating fashion show, choreographed by Simran Rihal that showcased stunning designs from world-renowned fashion designer, Tarun Tahiliani, leaving the audience mesmerized. The night closed with a beautiful dance performance by the very famous Rhythm India Dance Company founded by Artistic Director Arzan Gonda, shaking a leg to Piya Tose – a tribute to Waheeda Rehman and ended it with the latest songs Boom Diggy and Laila Mein Laila that got the crowd tapping their feet. At the end of program, Asha Dhume and Dr. Randeep Suneja thanked everyone for attending the program and for making it a great success.
For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution, visit prathamusa.org or make a check payable to “Pratham USA” and mail it to Pratham USA, 9703 Richmond Ave, Suite 102, Houston TX 77042
