Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, mayor of Oak Brook who delivered an inspiring keynote speech and encouraged the guests to give charitably their time and money. He started with an eloquent message, “Give, give and give. One who truly gives – lives,” re-instated wisely the privileged message he brought from his Master Dada Vaswani in Pune, India in regards to developing the habit of giving – “How much can one give?” when asked, his master profoundly responded, “Son, you have not given enough till it hurts you a little.” Also he quoted an old Chinese proverb that says – if you want to be happy for an hour then take a nap, if you want to be happy for a day then go to a picnic but if you want to be happy for the entire life, then serve others – again stressing the importance and joy of giving.

Ankur children performing at fundraiser

Dr. Rani Chintam did the main presentation of the evening regarding the organization and the work that is being done in India. Combining facts with great humor, she made sure that the guests were paying attention to her slide show. She said Orissa was chosen for the Balashram because of its low literacy rate, high infant mortality, economic backwardness, and high maternal mortality rate among others which are emblematic of a poverty stricken state. Balashram is a fully functional school for extremely poor and impoverished children in rural Orissa that provides serene and healthy environment for the development of young minds. The ashram is located in Arua, an eastern district of the state. Other projects by Hand in Hand through the channel of Hariharananda Healthcare Centers include permanent health centers and Mobile Clinics in rural Orissa and Bengal, health camps and seminars that make people aware of burning health issues and emergency relief in the form of food, medical support and money in different regions across the globe. The emotional appeal made by Dr. Chintam and the previous speakers must have resonated well with the guests as generous donations started pouring in.

Dr. Chintam’s presentation was followed by the children of Ankur parading across the hall, waving the flags of different countries and singing the song “we are the world” by Michel Jackson in the spirit of true international friendship. After the song, the kids chanted the peace mantra – “Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah”. Ankur is a Sunday school located in Joliet for children, ages 3 and 14 that foster creativity, capability and talent of each child through life of integrity, service and courage. Ankur kids emptied their kiddy banks as they learn”to serve and share “from early childhood. Students of Hema Rajagopalan of Natya Dance Theatre Ensemble later entertained the guests with brilliant Bharatha Natyam style performances that included “Murugan Kavutuvam, a prayer”, “Adavallan, a cosmetic dance in praise of Lord Shiva” and ”Brochevarevarura, a devotee singing parises of Lord Rama ”. Following the dances, the guests were treated to a scrumptious dinner provided by Priya restaurant of Schaumburg.

Students of Natya Dance Academy performing

The evening came to an end with enchanting Bollywood music provided by Shaila Khedkar of Sur Sangeet who reeled out such all time hit numbers and a few melodies from Hindi movies in a voice reminding of Sur Samragni ‘Lata Mangeshkar like “Yeh Sama Hai Pyar ka” from the movie “Jab Jab Phool Khile”, “Aei Mere Humsafar” from movie “Qyamat se Qyamat Tak” and “Ruk ja Raath Tehere Jare Chanda” from “Dil ek Mandir” and many more. The entire program was praised by the guests for its admirably high quality and noble cause it represents. Mr. Mihir Dash who proposed vote of thanks praised the volunteers for their stellar coordination and all round help in making the program a huge success that can be gazed through the funds it raised – it was well over $90,000.

Every day, through your generous help and contribution, the Balashram is changing their lives, is enriching their lives, is nurturing their young minds through loving care, housing, clothing, food, healthcare, and education. Every day the Balashram and its loving teachers, staff and volunteers are carefully and painstakingly crafting young minds and filling them with love and joy. Those of our patrons who have visited the Balashram will easily testify to this. Its like a garden where young saplings are being carefully nourished so that they can become strong and branching trees one day and provide shade to others.

All this is made possible by you, our patrons and volunteers and we lack words to express our heartfelt thanks to all of you. We pray for you and your family and let this holiday season bring more joy and laughter for you and all your family.

If you wish to make a pledge this holiday season then kindly visit us here.

• Over 420,000 patients treated in five permanent health centers.
• Clinics staffed with qualified doctors and pharmacists with in site lab facilties
• Over 12,000 treated through mobile clinic for medical outreach.
• Conducts regular awareness camps on health issues like AIDS/HIV, Diabetes, Smoking/Tobacco risks etc.
• Provide timely first aid and relief effort during natural disasters and calamities
• Free ambulance services.

Hand In Hand USA is devoted to serving the cause for humanitarian needs. We realize our constraints, being a small organization with limited resources, and hence we stay true to our primary focus of serving the orphans and poor in India but at the same time we try to do our utmost for the suffering humanity elsewhere as serving the cause for humanity should go beyond any consideration of geographical boundaries, caste, creed, race, color, language or religion.

In 2011 Hand in Hand USA along with its affiliated organization, Prajnana Mission in India, embarked on a massive relief effort to help the flood victims of Orissa, India. Number of flood relief camps were organized in remote areas of Orissa state from where dry food and cow feed were supplied to the flood affected people.

Haiti Earthquake of January 2010 caused massive destruction and damage that required global attention. We at Hand in Hand USA with your support jumped in and donated $10,000 to the cause through the Clinton-Bush foundation.

The unparalleled flood that hit Pakistan in July 2010 was described as the worst disaster in the country’s history since 1947. It affected more than 17 million people, making it the biggest natural disaster in recent times, greater than the Indian Ocean Tsunami and the Haiti Earthquake combined. HIH USA donated $3,000 through the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists

In 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast of US hard, bringling along with a wave destruction severe destruction along the Gulf coast from central Florida to Texas. The most severe loss of life and properties occurred in New Orleand, Louisiana which flooded as the levees failed. HIH USA sent monetary support raised through its network of patrons and volunteers.

(image courtesies National Geographic and Multyshades)

• Orphanage /residential school for poor orphans and single parent kids
• Currently supports 280 kids, extensible to 480 kids by 2015.
• Fosters overall development for young minds through love, education, nutrition and health
• Encourages participation of residents in dance, drama, sports and other extracurricular activities
• Residences for boys and girls and leaving quarters for teachers all located within campus
• Clean dining halls, kitchens, organic gardens, cowsheds provides nutritious food to residents

Located on 11 acres surrounded by lush green paddy land and picturesque rural villages, the Balashram educates from preschool to high school, free of charge. The faculty utilizes the best eastern and western methods of teaching to create a dynamic and loving environment for children’s development. Its holistic approach provides a balanced and nurturing foundation for the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual growth of each child.
Students are also encouraged to participate in a wide-array of extra-curricular activities, including dance, drama, music, field trips, and volunteer opportunities, so that they may live fully active lives. The students are ably assisted and guided by qualified teachers who live in campus. The campus also features organic garden, cowshed and fully equipped kitchen to provide the residents with a wholesome and balanced diet each day. In addition, the Balashram provides complete health care to each child free of cost.

Each year the Balashram inducts 40 new students. They are selected from extremely impoverished situations, and are either homeless or whose parents have no means to support the child. The aim is to have a fully operational center by 2015 with 480 children .

For more information on Balashram visit the Balashram website.