Shelby's Social Diary
Houstonians step up to the plate to provide funds for education in India
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
Photo by Gary Fountain
In a flurry of colorful saris and dramatic Indian attire, more than 700 supporters of the non-profit Pratham poured into the Westin Galleria Hotel on Saturday night.
The "Passage to India" evening was chaired by Meena Datt and Simran Rihan with Nidhika and Pershant Mehta serving as honorary chairs. They took bows for the successful fundraiser that brought in $550,000 to help Pratham achieve its mission of providing literacy education for underprivileged children in India's rural outposts and urban slums. Pratham is India's largest non-profit focusing on primary education and through a variety of programs reaches more than one million children each year.
The evening began ceremoniously with Nidhika Mehta and Andrea White lighting the traditional lamps, representing learning and education. The evening's program included remarks by Pratham Houston president Sonu Anand and by former Houston mayor and gubernatorial candidate Bill White.
The bidding action in the live auction was hot and heavy with auctioneer Dr. Subodh Bhuchar helping raise close to $65,000. Handling duties as gala emcees were Meena Datt and Rachel McNeil.
After performances of traditional Indian and Indian-fusion dances by local dance troupes, guests took to the dance floor for jiving to the DJ sounds of Bollywood and traditional Saturday Night Fever-style music.
