Bighelp for Education held its 16th annual “Pongal-Republic Day Celebrations 2019” on Jan 12th at Bellingham High School, MA to celebrate the harvest festival, Sankranthi/Pongal and Indian Republic day with lots of fun, festivities and traditions. Bighelp for Education, a Massachusetts based non-profit organization founded in 2002 by Sri Chand Pasha Shaik, is focused on helping underprivileged children in India who are at the juncture of discontinuing their education due to impoverished conditions. During the past 16 years, the organization has sponsored the education of 2500 children at 43 projects and adopted 250 schools in various states of India.

The annual fundraising event held on Jan 12^th was attended by over 1500 people and helped raise nearly $20,000. Around 700 kids participated in Spelling Bee and Coloring competition, while adults participated in the Rangoli competition. Math Bee, Science Bee, Geography Bee and Art contests were held a few weeks prior to the event during December at three different centers covering Northern, Southern and Western Massachusetts.

Executive Vice President, Sri. Amar Jayam welcomed the audience and the cultural event began with the recitation of US and Indian National Anthems by Youth volunteers of the organization. About 350 enthusiastic adults and kids alike displayed their singing, dancing, and acting talents through classical, semi-classical, film, and folk dances, songs, and skits.  Sporting eye-catching costumes, the performers had the audience clapping hands and tapping feet thoroughly enjoying all the performances. Cute kids in creative costumes and props gave the event a new, innovative twist.

During the celebrations, Bighelp organization Founder & President, Sri. Chand Pasha Shaik, detailed the organization's efforts and achievements over the last year.  He added, “We have big goals for 2019, in addition to continuing to sponsor the current children, we are determined to sponsor another 300”. He thanked the donors and volunteers for their continued support during the past 16 years and introduced the Boston Chapter team – Smt. Anitha Bachina Maddineni (President), Smt. Rekha Gundimeda (President), Sri. Raghu Vaduka (Vice President) and Sri Srikanth Gomattam (Secretary) to the audience. In their speech, the Boston chapter team emphasized their goal to bring more donors to the Adopt a child program and adopting more schools.

“Volunteer of the year” awards were announced to enthusiastic and committed volunteers who have been part of the organization for several years and have consistently helped organize fundraisers. Awards were presented by honorary guests- Dr. Gayatridevi & Sri. Ravi Ika, Smt. Sangeetha Palakurthi & Sri. Ravi Thaduri, Smt. Manimala & Sri. Aswin Chalupadi. The recipients of Volunteer of the year awards were Smt. Gayathri Ayyagari, Smt. Deepika Pabbathi, Smt. Sandhya Singh, Smt. Kasthuri Jegatheesan, Smt. Saraswathi Mandapati, Smt. Seema & Sri. Milind Kanitkar, Sri. Vishal Chitturi, Smt. Madhavi Poreddy and Sri. Kiran Kodali & Anusha Kesineni.

“Rising Star” awards were announced to Youth Volunteers in recognition of their exceptional initiatives for raising funds for Bighelp during the year 2018. The recipients of the Rising Star awards were Suyasha Athuluri, Sanjana Pulaparthi, Vedasri Vaduka and Hasyasri Vaduka.

Trophies and certificates to the winners of the various contests were presented by the Bighelp Global team, guests of honors and contest coordinators at the conclusion of the stage performances. The event was concluded by the recitation of Indian National Anthem.

More details about Bighelp organization can be found at www.bighelp.org.

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