The American India Foundation’s Third Annual Benefit Gala Bowties and Bangles was held on November 7, 2009 at the Hyatt in Cambridge in a swirl of bright colors, beautiful women in traditional Indian clothing with men in tuxedos and sincere desires to do good.

 The underlying mission of AIF is to accelerate social and economic change in India.  It is this mission that brought Boston luminaries together to the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge. The Benefit Gala served several purposes. It was a chance to honor Keane chairman, Mani Subramanian, who is known as a turnaround architect in the global information technology industry. The event provided an avenue to present the success and progress of programs under AIF’s three tracks of education, livelihood, and public health. The Gala was also an opportunity to raise finances for AIF’s Digital Equalizer program, which bridges the technological divide by providing computers, software, Internet access and training to children and teachers in underprivileged schools across India.

 The night began with a cocktail reception, which allowed guests of the evening to mingle and greet each other while snacking on creative hors d’oeuvres provided by Masala Art. The room was immaculately decorated with ivory and rust colored table settings and bangles as napkin rings. Each table had as its centerpiece a terracotta-colored pot accented with mirrors and distinct hand painted designs. The pots were filled with white and orange hydrangeas, the overall effect of which contributed to the room’s glowing décor.

 As guests took their seats, videos played highlighting AIF’s work in its three major tracks.  These cinematic pieces explained a number of AIF initiatives such as LAMP, MAST, Rickshaw Sangh, Digital Equalizer and the Clinton Service Fellowship.  Afterwards, Victor J. Menezes,  Senior Advisor, New Silk Route Partners LLC thanked participants for their attendance and support of the organization. Menezes introduced the honoree of the night, Mani Subramanian, who gave attendees a brief history on his professional transition and continued work in the US providing IT services to the global community. He reminded AIF and attendees of their dual identity as Indians and Americans. He urged the organization to not only continue work in India but consider the plight of children in America as well.

 The evening continued with Sorboni Banerjee, an anchor for 7NEWS, acting as the Mistress of Ceremonies. She introduced Brian Heilman, a 2007-2008 AIF Service Corps Fellow. Heilman spoke of his experience abroad and showed a video he had made while living and working in rural Mushidabad, West Bengal. He characterized AIF as building bridges between the dreams and aspirations of people who envision change.  Heilman spoke eloquently and was well received by the audience. Tarun Khanna, a Gala attendee and professor of Harvard Business School, described him as “very genuine” and his favorite part of the night.

 Raj Sharma, Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch and an AIF Board Trustee spoke about his personal experience with the American India Foundation. He recalled a family trip to his hometown of Hyderabad in 2004 where he witnessed first hand the impact of the Digital Equalizer program. He reflected further, stating that in addition to AIF serving as a catalyst for positive change the organization finds great strength in the fact that its initiative outcomes can be assessed in a concrete manner. The idea of venture philanthropy came up several times during the evening as well as the importance of service work that can be supported by results measured by metrics.

 Sharma hosted the evening’s pledge drive, which was an effort to raise funds for the Digital Equalizer program. The cost to provide adequate services and training to a school is $2,500, a mere six dollars per child. The drive provided a means of recognizing donor support but guests also had the option of making donations by filling out pledge cards at any point during the night.

 A delectable dinner catered by the Bombay Club followed the pledge drive. Attendees had their choice of a vegetarian or non-vegetarian dinner. The former was comprised of Bombay Paneer Cake set in Hollowed Zucchini and the latter was a Duet of Bangalore Lamb Steaks and Spice Roasted Chicken. Mixed sprouts stew, Basmati rice and Badami Naan accompanied both dishes. Coinciding with dinner was a spectacular performance by the Chaandika Kathak Dance Ensemble of Gretchen Hayden. The dancers of this troupe not only performed beautifully choreographed and executed numbers but they also performed improvisational pieces to the crowd’s delight.

 Reema Chandra, CEO of MySpice Boutique, was the Program Chair for the Gala event and delivered a vote of thanks. Appreciation was fittingly extended to Victor and Tara Menezes, Chandrika Tandon of AIF, Gala Co-Chairs,  Host committee members, gracious sponsors and volunteers who had been involved in every aspect of the Gala preparation. 

 With the announcement that an impressive $312,000 had been raised during the evening the night concluded on a high note. This positive energy was encapsulated by an exciting performance from MIT Bhangra. As the night came to a formal close many attendees made their way to the stage to join in the dancing.  Pratima Srinivasan, who organized a bike ride to fundraise this fall and a new AIF Board trustee along with her husband Venkat Srinivasan summed it well,” What a spectacular and inspiring event, just the kind that we had envisioned from the very beginning for our AIF Boston Chapter, where the guests could look forward to a wonderful evening of socializing, with great food, great entertainment, great ambiance, and a touching message which would inspire them to reach into their pockets to support  the worthy cause.  I think this year’s gala fully encompassed all those elements".

 In the three years that the American India Foundation has hosted its annual Bowties and Bangles Benefit Gala, interest and support for the organization through the Boston Chapter has grown exponentially. Raj Sharma said during the evening, “The American India Foundation is a drop in the ocean that can create a wave.” If the progress, dedication and growing support for the organization continue one can only imagine how far the ripple effect will extend.

To know more go to http://www.aifoundation.org/

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