October 5th was a special day for Boston area IDRF volunteers, for it was also the Seva Diwas and beginning of their annual fundraising campaign. IDRF Boston volunteers had organized the "Art and Food Festival" on the same day at Keefe Technical School in Framingham. MA. The festival was attended by more than 200 Bostonians. The participants had a joyous time and felt good for having contributed towards the charity.

The festival featured a program of rich classical Hindustani music and bhajans by Pandit Madhav Gudi, a senior disciple of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. He was ably supported by LearnQuest academy's Dr. Nishikant Sonwalkar on Tabla, Chris Pereji on harmonium and Rajesh Godbole and Sandhya Pandurange on Tanpura. The scintillating performance of classical music by Shri Gudi and his team had the audience spellbound throughout the program that evening.

Another attraction of the festival was an array of food stalls set up by volunteers. The unique "food for a cause" theme featured rich tastes of India ranging from Masala Vada and Idli to Vada Pao, from Badam Kheer to Chat corner and assorted other food items. All the proceeds from the food sale will go towards IDRF supported development projects working with backward children.

The henna and face painting stalls had a lot of visitors, young and adults alike, in a fun filled atmosphere. Innovative games set up by an IDRF volunteer Manav Jain to raise funds for charity, engaged a lot of participants.

The festival fetched a net of $2800 to IDRF Boston chapter. IDRF Boston has decided to work with 4 NGOs - Vanvasi Ashram Trust in Kerala, Ekalavya Ashram in Andhra Pradesh, Bhatke Vimukta Vikas Pratishthana in Maharashtra and Shri Ved Mandir in Jammu and Kashmir, for year 2002-03. These NGOs are working towards educating underprivileged children.

Earlier this year IDRF Boston had raised $3000 for its One-Teacher-School projects through its grand "Holi" celebrations and another $5000 for Ekalayva Ashram in Andhra Pradesh through its second annual cricket tournament.

IDRF is an all-voluntary, non-profit organization based in USA. All contributions to IDRF are tax-exempt. IDRF has no administrative overhead and thus it channelizes 100% of all contributions for the development of the poor and needy.

If you would like to contribute towards IDRF's annual fundraising campaign and support the cause, please mail your tax-deductible contribution to the following address. For further details, please visit IDRF on the web at http://www.idrf.org IDRF, 4-1 Old Colony Lane, Arlington, MA 02474. Tel. 781-641-1593.

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