Children’s Hope India Celebrates 30 Years of Service with Honorees the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation, Sunil Wadhwani and Himanshu Gulati at its Annual Gala
New York, NY, September 30, 2022. On September 18, 2022, Children’s Hope India, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to lifting children from poverty to prosperity through holistic education, celebrated its 30th anniversary with a glamorous evening to raise funds for its newest initiative, 30/30: A CHI Educational Initiative, to launch educational centers in some of the most vulnerable and at risk communities across India.
This year’s event celebrated 30 years of service to the Children’s Hope India mission, which has impacted 470,351 through its unique holistic education model to enhance learning through nutrition, mental health and medical support. Children’s Hope India was founded in 1992 by a group of professional women who came together to make a difference in the lives of children in India. Dina Pahlajani, MD, CHI’s President and a Cofounder, said, “Our work started educating children on street corners and railway platforms. Now, 30 years later we have accredited schools and educational centers around the country–it’s incredible to see how these programs truly help uplift entire communities.” Reena Ninan, a television journalist who has worked as a White House correspondent, foreign reporter, and news anchor for CBS, ABC, and Fox News, joined with former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and renowned lawyer Preet Bharara, to co host this VIP event. Proceeds from the evening benefit children and families from vulnerable and marginalized communities through the launch of 30/30 CHI Educational Centers. The 30th anniversary gala celebrated the accomplishments of its esteemed honorees. The Making A Difference Award honors those dedicated individuals who have gone the extra mile to provide opportunities to create positive change in the lives of others. This year recognized the work of the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation’s founders, Dr. Bhavna and M. Night Shyamalan.
Bhavna Shyamalan, PhD serves as co-founder and vice-president of the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation. With an international upbringing and global perspective, Dr. Shyamalan has developed a keen awareness of the power of poverty to determine the life course of individuals, families, and communities by severely limiting opportunity and choice. Through her stewardship and vision, the foundation focuses on leaders who work to eliminate those barriers.
Screenwriter, director and producer M. Night Shyamalan has captured the attention of audiences around the world for almost two decades. He is the writer and director of numerous films including The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, The Village, Lady in the Water, The Happening, The Visit and Split. Though he never expected to be involved with Philanthropy, his admiration for human potential eventually led him to learn more about global disparities and how lack of opportunity prevents individuals, families, and communities from living their dreams.
Moneesha Sani, Vice President of CHI, said, “We are truly honored to recognize the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation’s humanitarian leadership, which has made such a difference in the lives of so many people around the globe, with the Making A Difference Award.” The Special Impact Award, which recognizes innovators in the fields of philanthropy, honored Sunil Wadhwani, the renowned entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist.
Wadhwani co-founded, and was Chairman and CEO of IGATE Corporation and Mastech Corporation, and has funded the start-up of over 40 early-stage technology companies. In 2014, Sunil established the non-profit WISH Foundation in India to transform primary health systems in low-income areas using innovation and technology. In 2018 Sunil and his brother Romesh launched the non-profit Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence with the goal of using AI to accelerate social development in the most vulnerable communities in India and other emerging economies.
Lavina Melwani, CHI Co-founder and board member, said, “Sunil Wadhwani’s Wish Foundation and Artificial ’Intelligence Foundation have both had a positive impact on thousands of lives in India so we present him with the Special Impact Award.” The Rising Star Award celebrates leaders who are building and innovating business with an unmatched commitment to growth and leadership, while always making time to give back. The 2022 Rising Star Award was sponsored by Meera Gandhi of the Giving Back Foundation, who said: “I have always been delighted to encourage the new generation and am pleased to be associated with The Rising Star Award which recognizes the power and potential of our young leaders.” This year’s honoree is Himanshu Gulati, a noted investor and founder of Antara Capital. Gulati was the founding member of Children’s Hope India’s Young Professionals Board, which dedicates its time and resources to supporting young people in accessing the education they deserve. Before founding Antara Capital in March 2018, Mr. Gulati was the Head of U.S. Distressed Credit and Special Situations at Man GLG and a member of the GLG Risk Committee. Before joining Man Group, Mr. Gulati spent nine years at Perry Capital as a Managing Partner overseeing the firm’s distressed securities and event/catalyst equities business, a distressed credit analyst at Rockview Capital, and an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Guests to the Gala were delighted by a special performance by Grammy winner Falu Shah, accompanied by Gaurav Shah and Nihal Singh. Entertainment included music by DJ USA. The event also featured a gourmet adventure with celebrity chef Gaurav Anand, the man behind New York’s Bhatti Indian Grill, Moti Mahal Delux and Awadh. A highlight was a spirited pledge drive to raise funds to launch 30/30 Educational Centers in at-risk areas across India–from red light areas to rural villages, from urban slums to refugee settlements. The innovative new 30/30 program will bring the learnings and best practices refined over CHI’s 30 years of service to over 5,000 students. The program is distinguished by its model which includes best in class early childhood education and remedial learning, as well as critical nutrition, medical care and emotional well-being support for local children. CHI’s community of donors were generous in their pledges, helping to make the education dreams a reality for thousands of young people. Anuja Khemka, CHI Executive Director, said, “After 30 years working hand in hand with students, families and grassroots partners, the 30/30 program enables CHI to address critical gaps in early learning and school completion with innovative programming.” For further information please contact Anuja Khemka, CHI’s Executive Director Anuja@childrenshopeindia.org
About Children’s Hope India Children’s Hope India was founded in 1992 when a group of professional women in New York gathered to make a difference in the lives of children. Now, as then, the mission of Children’s Hope India is to lift children from poverty to prosperity through education. This is accomplished with a whole child approach that seeks to ensure that each child is healthy, safe, supported, engaged and challenged with comprehensive programming including informal learning and vocational training, critical medical support, and nutrition.
Today, Children’s Hope India supports more than 20 projects across India and the United States to improve children’s health and education prospects. To learn more, please visit www.childrenshopeindia.org <r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0017WU3_shYxj63pFrh_hqnu9t0nF09NeDe6WR6nGS-LYPwQHjoNv3MXPi_B_KewkFGK3p9_a4228TQq-Jkgpn2pFduZFxOnRSlo4oOOR7EBfziXEPGyMh0BuFkUZEPD80k7MMiqM90i2AQwlRUKVxXXcRYLz26Vb6M&c=X-oQAAaq2o…> .
New York, NY, September 30, 2022. On September 18, 2022, Children’s Hope India, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to lifting children from poverty to prosperity through holistic education, celebrated its 30th anniversary with a glamorous evening to raise funds for its newest initiative, 30/30: A CHI Educational Initiative, to launch educational centers in some of the most vulnerable and at risk communities across India.
This year’s event celebrated 30 years of service to the Children’s Hope India mission, which has impacted 470,351 through its unique holistic education model to enhance learning through nutrition, mental health and medical support. Children’s Hope India was founded in 1992 by a group of professional women who came together to make a difference in the lives of children in India. Dina Pahlajani, MD, CHI’s President and a Cofounder, said, “Our work started educating children on street corners and railway platforms. Now, 30 years later we have accredited schools and educational centers around the country–it’s incredible to see how these programs truly help uplift entire communities.” Reena Ninan, a television journalist who has worked as a White House correspondent, foreign reporter, and news anchor for CBS, ABC, and Fox News, joined with former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and renowned lawyer Preet Bharara, to co host this VIP event. Proceeds from the evening benefit children and families from vulnerable and marginalized communities through the launch of 30/30 CHI Educational Centers. The 30th anniversary gala celebrated the accomplishments of its esteemed honorees. The Making A Difference Award honors those dedicated individuals who have gone the extra mile to provide opportunities to create positive change in the lives of others. This year recognized the work of the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation’s founders, Dr. Bhavna and M. Night Shyamalan.
Bhavna Shyamalan, PhD serves as co-founder and vice-president of the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation. With an international upbringing and global perspective, Dr. Shyamalan has developed a keen awareness of the power of poverty to determine the life course of individuals, families, and communities by severely limiting opportunity and choice. Through her stewardship and vision, the foundation focuses on leaders who work to eliminate those barriers.
Screenwriter, director and producer M. Night Shyamalan has captured the attention of audiences around the world for almost two decades. He is the writer and director of numerous films including The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, The Village, Lady in the Water, The Happening, The Visit and Split. Though he never expected to be involved with Philanthropy, his admiration for human potential eventually led him to learn more about global disparities and how lack of opportunity prevents individuals, families, and communities from living their dreams.
Moneesha Sani, Vice President of CHI, said, “We are truly honored to recognize the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation’s humanitarian leadership, which has made such a difference in the lives of so many people around the globe, with the Making A Difference Award.” The Special Impact Award, which recognizes innovators in the fields of philanthropy, honored Sunil Wadhwani, the renowned entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist.
Wadhwani co-founded, and was Chairman and CEO of IGATE Corporation and Mastech Corporation, and has funded the start-up of over 40 early-stage technology companies. In 2014, Sunil established the non-profit WISH Foundation in India to transform primary health systems in low-income areas using innovation and technology. In 2018 Sunil and his brother Romesh launched the non-profit Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence with the goal of using AI to accelerate social development in the most vulnerable communities in India and other emerging economies.
Lavina Melwani, CHI Co-founder and board member, said, “Sunil Wadhwani’s Wish Foundation and Artificial ’Intelligence Foundation have both had a positive impact on thousands of lives in India so we present him with the Special Impact Award.” The Rising Star Award celebrates leaders who are building and innovating business with an unmatched commitment to growth and leadership, while always making time to give back. The 2022 Rising Star Award was sponsored by Meera Gandhi of the Giving Back Foundation, who said: “I have always been delighted to encourage the new generation and am pleased to be associated with The Rising Star Award which recognizes the power and potential of our young leaders.” This year’s honoree is Himanshu Gulati, a noted investor and founder of Antara Capital. Gulati was the founding member of Children’s Hope India’s Young Professionals Board, which dedicates its time and resources to supporting young people in accessing the education they deserve. Before founding Antara Capital in March 2018, Mr. Gulati was the Head of U.S. Distressed Credit and Special Situations at Man GLG and a member of the GLG Risk Committee. Before joining Man Group, Mr. Gulati spent nine years at Perry Capital as a Managing Partner overseeing the firm’s distressed securities and event/catalyst equities business, a distressed credit analyst at Rockview Capital, and an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Guests to the Gala were delighted by a special performance by Grammy winner Falu Shah, accompanied by Gaurav Shah and Nihal Singh. Entertainment included music by DJ USA. The event also featured a gourmet adventure with celebrity chef Gaurav Anand, the man behind New York’s Bhatti Indian Grill, Moti Mahal Delux and Awadh. A highlight was a spirited pledge drive to raise funds to launch 30/30 Educational Centers in at-risk areas across India–from red light areas to rural villages, from urban slums to refugee settlements. The innovative new 30/30 program will bring the learnings and best practices refined over CHI’s 30 years of service to over 5,000 students. The program is distinguished by its model which includes best in class early childhood education and remedial learning, as well as critical nutrition, medical care and emotional well-being support for local children. CHI’s community of donors were generous in their pledges, helping to make the education dreams a reality for thousands of young people. Anuja Khemka, CHI Executive Director, said, “After 30 years working hand in hand with students, families and grassroots partners, the 30/30 program enables CHI to address critical gaps in early learning and school completion with innovative programming.” For further information please contact Anuja Khemka, CHI’s Executive Director Anuja@childrenshopeindia.org
About Children’s Hope India Children’s Hope India was founded in 1992 when a group of professional women in New York gathered to make a difference in the lives of children. Now, as then, the mission of Children’s Hope India is to lift children from poverty to prosperity through education. This is accomplished with a whole child approach that seeks to ensure that each child is healthy, safe, supported, engaged and challenged with comprehensive programming including informal learning and vocational training, critical medical support, and nutrition.
Today, Children’s Hope India supports more than 20 projects across India and the United States to improve children’s health and education prospects. To learn more, please visit www.childrenshopeindia.org <r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0017WU3_shYxj63pFrh_hqnu9t0nF09NeDe6WR6nGS-LYPwQHjoNv3MXPi_B_KewkFGK3p9_a4228TQq-Jkgpn2pFduZFxOnRSlo4oOOR7EBfziXEPGyMh0BuFkUZEPD80k7MMiqM90i2AQwlRUKVxXXcRYLz26Vb6M&c=X-oQAAaq2o…> .
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