Fifth Annual Gala Diwali Dinner Fundraiser Successful

While the specter of 9/11 still hung over us, Karuna members were busy preparing for yet another successful fundraiser.  Karuna’s 2002 Diwali fundraiser made volunteers and guests aware that Karuna Charities has established itself as a highly respected charity organization in the Washington area. This year has been filled with charitable activities in the Washington area, New York, and New Delhi, India totaling over $20,000.  The About Karuna page lists activities conducted by Karuna this year and every previous year.

Karuna’s volunteers worked tirelessly to make the Gala Diwali dinner a success. The guests were welcomed by Ms. Kanti Singh, Vice President, Karuna. She highlighted Karuna’s work in 2002.  The guests and patrons were thanked for their generous contributions by Ms. Amrit Kalotra, President.

The special guest at this year’s Diwali fundraiser was Mr. Alok Prasad, the Indian Ambassador.  He noted Karuna’s quiet put persistent and growing presence in the Washington area.  Ms. Vera Johnson, Health and Human Resources Department, Montgomery County had warm and sincere thanks for Karuna’s growing involvement with the needy in Montgomery County.

Ms. Jayantee Paine Ganguly, director of the Konarak School of Dance enthralled the audience with a series of graceful Diwali dances.  The MC, Ms. Nilima Mehra, anchor of Kaleidoscope TV assisted with the raffle that included a Panasonic 32 inch Flat Screen HDTV and many other attractive prizes.

The dinner was catered by Mr. Jaswinder Singh of Mughal Gardens and the dance music was provided by DJ Hemant and group.

The grand sponsors for this fundraiser were Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Mr. and Mrs. Ajay Awasthi (Shiva Information Technology Services, Inc., and Provincial Real Estate), and Sukhdev Singh Darhele. The sponsors were Mr. and Mrs. Aneesh Chopra, Mr. and Mrs. Dhaman Wali (ARCHTECH), Mrs. Pushpa Raje, and Mr. and Mrs. Gopala Krishna (American Express Financial Advisors).

Publicity was provided by Kaleidoscope of Asia TV (Dr. and Mrs. Rajesh Mehra), Manoranjan TV (Shashi Agarwal), Spirit of India Radio (Dr. Anthony Anthonyswami), and Apple Printers (Mr. and Mrs. Jagjit Dugal).

Raffle prize donors were Mr. and Mrs. Ajay Awasthi (32 inch flat screen TV), Mr. Raja Bhandari (law services), Mr. Manjit Singh (CPA services), Ms. Jyoti Gujaral (professional planning), Jasmine Gill (beauty care), and Bombay Tandoor restaurant (dinner for two).

The next Karuna fundraiser will be a golf tournament in Spring 2003.  Karuna hopes that with your help, it will be a big success.