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Bighelp For Education Celebrates 17th Annual Pongal & Republic Day

Chand Pasha
01/16/2020

Bighelp For Education celebrates 17th Annual Pongal & Republic Day

A warm day in the middle of January helped Bighelp for Education to attract a huge turnout for their 17th annual “Pongal-Republic Day Celebrations 2020” on Jan 11th at Bellingham High School, MA. Harvest festival, Sankranthi/Pongal and Indian Republic day were celebrated with colors and lots of fun, festivities and traditions. Bighelp for Education, a Massachusetts based non-profit organization founded in 2002 by Mr. Chand Pasha Shaik, is focused on helping underprivileged children in India who are at the juncture of discontinuing their education due to impoverished conditions. During the past 17 years, the organization has sponsored the education of 2850 children at 46 projects, made a positive impact in the lives of over 152,000 children in India, Adopted 300 schools and made them better places to learn, provided an opportunity for over 80,000 children to compete in Merit Awards, Sports, Quizzes, Science Fairs, Robotics, Art Competitions, Science Bee, Math Bee, Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, Story Writing and Coloring Contests.

The annual fundraising event held on Jan 11th was attended by over 1500 people and helped raise nearly $20,000. Around 750 kids participated in Spelling Bee and Coloring competition, while adults participated in the Rangoli competition. Math Bee, Science Bee, Geography Bee and Art contests were held a few weeks prior to the event during December at three different centers covering Northern, Southern and Western Massachusetts.

Executive Vice President, Mr. Amar Jayam welcomed the audience and the cultural event began with the recitation of US and Indian National Anthems by Youth volunteers of the organization. About 300 enthusiastic adults and kids alike displayed their singing, dancing, and acting talents through classical, semi-classical, film, and folk dances.  Sporting eye-catching costumes, the performers had the audience clapping hands and tapping feet thoroughly enjoying all the performances. Cute kids in creative costumes and props gave the event a new, innovative twist. 

During the celebrations, Bighelp organization’s Founder & President, Mr. Chand Pasha Shaik, detailed the organization's efforts and achievements over the last year.  He added, “the vales I learned from my parents have been driving my compassion for Bighelp”. He thanked the donors and volunteers for their continued support during the past 17 years and introduced the Boston Chapter team – Mrs. Anitha Bachina Maddineni (President), Mrs. Rekha Gundimeda (President), Mr. Srikanth Gomattam (Vice President) and Mr. Saradhi Valluru (Secretary) to the audience. In their speech, the Boston chapter team said “ Bighelp for Education is a ray of hope for many children who are orphaned or economically backward regardless of class, gender and religion. “

“Volunteer Of The Year 2019” awards were announced to enthusiastic and committed volunteers who have been part of the organization for several years and have consistently helped organize fundraisers. Awards were presented by honorary guests- Mr. Sagar Kamarthi, Mr. Mohan Nannapaneni, Mr. Sanjay Gowda, Dr. Haribabu Muddana and Mr. Ashish Cowlagi. The recipients of Volunteer of the year awards were Mr. Ashok Bhakta, Mr. Gopichand Ramini, Mrs. Padma Sangadi, Mr. Rajesh Pillai, Mrs. Roshni Jagadeesan, Ms. Susmitha Saripalli and Mrs. Vijaya Gandham

“Rising Star” awards were announced to Youth Volunteers in recognition of their exceptional initiatives for raising funds for Bighelp during the year 2019. The recipients of the Rising Star awards were Shriya Reddy, Rohan Bommaraju, Khushi Shah, Raga Chilakamarri, Navin Ramesh, Tarvika Pratty and Diksha Shanmugam Prabhu.

Bighelp executive team presented the Distinguished Service Award to the following honorary guests in appreciation of their service to the community.

Mr. Sagar Kamarthi
Mr. Mohan Nannapaneni
Mr. Sanjay Gowda
Dr. Haribabu Muddana
Mr. Ashish Cowlagi  

Trophies and certificates to the winners of the contests were presented by the Bighelp Global team, guests of honors and contest coordinators at the conclusion of the stage performances. The event was concluded by the recitation of Indian National Anthem.

Dinner was served by Mirchi Nation Restaurant.

More details about Bighelp organization can be found at www.bighelp.org.



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