Bighelp for Education’s Annual Pongal and Republic Day Celebrations were held on January 9, 2010 at the Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin, Massachusetts. Attended by over a thousand people, the day consisted of exciting cultural programs, spelling bees and art contests. The real crux of the event, however, was the amount raised to help underprivileged children in the most backward areas of India.

Started back in 2002, Bighelp is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving educational opportunities for children in India. Bighelp strives to be a catalyst in increasing India’s literacy rate by funding the schooling of the less fortunate.

The founder and president of the Bighelp, Mr. Chand Pasha, presented the developmental milestones of the organization, thanked all of the donors, and appealed on behalf of the needy children for continued support. He presented a video showing some of the accomplishments from 2009, which included expanding Bighelp activities to reach out to special needs children.  In addition, the Bighelp Youth Committee was formed this year, to allow the next generation to voice their ideas for the organization.

The event was also an opportunity for youth and adults in the area to showcase their inner talents. Over 200 children participated in the spelling bee competitions, and 215 children took place in the art and coloring competitions.  In addition, almost 40 women took part in the Rangoli contest and nearly 250 kids took the stage to sing, dance, and play instruments in the cultural program. Everyone from tiny tots barely able to walk, to older teens and adults performed both classical and filmy songs with great confidence and style. Highlights of the program included a patriotic fashion show, organized by Ganga Sivakumar, that showed traditional costumes of different areas in India, a Kuchipudi Tarangam, in which five girls danced on the rim of a brass plate while balancing a pot of water on their head, a Bharatanatyam-Kathak fusion piece, and a melodious rendition of the ever-popular Vaishnava Jana To.

Mr. Pasha presented the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award to Mr. Amar Jayam and Mr. Vijay Panchakshari for their ongoing and outstanding efforts to the cause of Bighelp. Honorary guests and contest coordinators honored all of the contest winners with trophies and certificates. In addition, certificates of participation were awarded to everyone who took part in the cultural programs.

The event was planned and run entirely by volunteers, who announced programs, organized children backstage, took care of sound and lighting, and prepared dinner, and helped make the program a big success.

The 12K raised from this year’s event will be put to good use, sponsoring 300 children, 250 mentally or physically challenged children, and 50 government schools. Overall, it was a fun-filled and exciting day; everyone went home smiling, happy to have helped a great cause, and looking forward to next year’s event.

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