PRATHAM BOSTON GALA 2013

Supporters of Pratham, the Mumbai-based educational non-profit which serves India’s underprivileged, gathered on November 16th at the iconic Taj Boston for the chapter’s annual gala. The packed ballroom set the stage for a night to remember. The Boston chapter hit two major milestones at the event: raising a record $175,000 in one evening and crossing the $1 million cumulative fundraising mark since the chapter’s formation in 2007.

Guests were greeted at the cocktail hour by Pratham board members and posed for red carpet snapshots at the photo booth. After traditional appetizers including bhel and pani puri, guests filled the ballroom and received an update on Pratham’s major educational programs. Members of the Scratch team, a collaboration between Pratham and MIT Media Labs, discussed the successful implementation of their child-friendly programming language at Pratham sites in India.

Dr. Anita Goel, winner of the XPRIZE for her company’s point-of-diagnosis gene radar technology, gave the keynote address. Dr. Goel explained that her multi-faceted education and training in physics, biomedicine and nanotechnology gave her the holistic view of healthcare that sparked the idea for her company. Dr. Goel’s success is a testament to the value of education.

Pratham Boston honored Raj Sharma, Managing Director of the Sharma Group, a boutique private wealth advisory group at Merrill Lynch, for his various philanthropic contributions. Mr. Sharma’s short, yet inspiring remarks filled the room with energy. Immediately following his remarks, members of the Boston chapter’s advisory board kicked off the pledge drive by explaining why they give to Pratham.

The 2013 Pratham Boston Gala was a tribute to the chapter’s maturity. It also sets a precedent for continued growth in years to come until every child is in school and learning well.

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