Bighelp for Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the underprivileged children in India through education organized a Pongal/Sankranti celebration in Walpole High School, Walpole, MA (USA) on Sunday, 15 Jan 2006. More than $5,000 was pledged during the event to support Big Help’s initiatives.

“Pongal is a time to celebrate . It is a time when we thank God for a good harvest. While we at Big Help want to celebrate Pongal with dance and music we also think it is the right time to support the underprivileged” said the master of ceremonies as she urged people to contribute generously.

The cultural program was a dazzling array of music and dance including participants as young as three.  Spelling Bee, Coloring and Art contests for kids in different age groups, and Rangoli contest for ladies provided an opportunity to many people to display their talents.

Meghana Tallam , Pranav Nagalamadaka, Sarika Saibaba, Sravya Avadhuta 

,Anjithaa Radakrishnan, Meghana Tadepalli ,Sanjay Batchu ,Avvinash Radakrishnan

Saloni Jain won the spelling bee contests.  Preeti Nagalamadaka Mythili Batchu , Neil Poonatar, Kamala Pullakhandam ,Meghana Tadepalli  Vinutha Veeragandham  won the coloring contests and Sarika Potula ,Gayatri Evani, Lahari Pullahnandam , Prashanth Vennapusa won the art contest. Padmaja Kaki of Nashua won the top prize for her beautiful Rangoli while  Haritha Valiveti from Franklin  and Jyothi Griddalur from Norwood won second and third place. A tasty home cooked dinner followed the cultural program.

Big Help started the "Best Volunteer of the Award" to show its gratitude to its volunteer base. Chand Pasha presented the award to Mr. Vijay Panchakshari this year for making significant contribution during the year 2005.  Choosing visiting grandparents as the chief guests for prize distribution was a special touch emphasizing the value that Indian place on the blessings of elders. All in all it a classy event where everyone had a good time while helping a good cause.

To learn more about Big Help please visit their website at .http://bighelp.org

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