Star-Studded Cast Helps Raise $550,000 at American India Foundation 10th Anniversary Gala

Dec. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- Santa Monica, CA – On Saturday, December 10, 2011, the American India Foundation (AIF) commemorated its 10th Anniversary and its growth from a disaster relief effort (the 2001 Gujarat earthquake) to the premiere development organization focused on catalyzing social and economic change in India at its 8th Annual Gala in Southern California, “Celebrating a Decade of Impact.”

More than 400 guests enjoyed fine dining, dancing, and an unparalleled lineup of honorees, VIP guests, and dazzling entertainment on the exquisitely manicured grounds of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows off of the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. The evening was highlighted by the awards presentation led by Honorary Gala Chair, the legendary musician, composer and record producer Quincy Jones. Dinesh C. Paliwal, Chairman, President, and CEO of Harman International, was honored with the AIF Corporate Leadership Award, and Academy and GRAMMY-Award winning composer A.R. Rahman with the Spirit of India Award. Both gave eloquent, memorable speeches reflecting upon their personal connection and commitment to impacting the long-term development of India through philanthropy, including Rahman’s focus on education for the underprivileged through his own A.R. Rahman Foundation and KM Music Conservatory.  

The Gala raised approximately $550,000 to support AIF’s work on the ground in India through programs in education, livelihoods, and public health. This year’s Gala focused upon AIF’s Learning and Migration Program, providing access to high-quality primary education to the children of migrant workers. Through LAMP, AIF has reached more than 237,000 children across India and its effectiveness helped enact legislation for migrant children in India’s Right to Education Act. AIF Founding President and incoming Board Chair Lata Krishnan set the stage for the fundraising drive, which raised $150,000 for LAMP, with a graceful speech highlighting the impact AIF has on children of migrant workers otherwise forced to drop out of school or toil under hazardous conditions at extremely young ages.

The evening concluded with an energetic and vivacious performance by Bollywood megastar singer Sunidhi Chauhan, who was welcomed by a standing ovation. The entire audience danced the night away to hit numbers like “Beedi Jailele” and “Sheila Ki Jiwani.” As Gala Chair and AIF Trustee Ravi Tilak remarked, garnering the support of acclaimed artists and entertainers is a growing strategy for AIF to expand its presence on the national and international stage. “On its tenth anniversary, AIF will expand its focus on the next generation of diaspora leaders and those from beyond in an effort to create mass appeal. Support at the grassroots also parallels the role AIF plays on the ground in India with partner NGOs and the many underprivileged communities we serve.”

Ravi and Vandana Tilak were joined by Pushpa and B.U. Patel, Founder and Vice Chairman of Tarsadia Hotels, as Gala Chairs. Major support was also provided by Harman International. Longtime Access Hollywood host, writer and producer Tony Potts emceed the evening. VIP guests also included GRAMMY-winning songwriter and social activist Michael Bolton and Outsourced’s Parvesh Cheena, alongside other Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities, leading entrepreneurs from the Indian-American community, Fortune 500 CEOs, and other media personalities and community leaders. Guests enjoyed wines donated by Divya Wines.

About AIF
Since its founding in 2001, AIF has raised and deployed more than $70 million to support its programs that have impacted the lives of 1.5 million of India’s most impoverished and marginalized individuals in the areas of education, livelihoods and public health. President Bill Clinton serves as Honorary Chair and Nobel Laureate Professor Dr. Amartya Sen chairs the Advisory Council. AIF provides a nationwide platform for collective philanthropy with chapters in New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, New England, Chicago, and Washington DC in addition to Southern California.