A clear vision for charity

Vision 2020 is a Sydney based Indian Community group that has acquired a stellar reputation to combine entertainment by local talent with mobilising charity fund raising opportunities. They have successfully conducted a variety of programs for a few years and have donated more than $ 50,000 to very deserving causes in India and Nepal since 2007. They thoroughly evaluate the projects and ensure that their charitable contributions are put to very good use. Vision 2020, being a non-profit organisation, has to rely on volunteer help and it is not surprising that they have enlisted a substantial core group of volunteers. Vision 2020 aspires to greater community participation in future – their goal is to collectively make a significant difference to lives of underprivileged children as well as the aged and infirm in our society. Vision 2020 operates on a non-discriminatory basis. Its processes are open and transparent and it seeks information of charities worthy of support from its members. Their most recent endeavour was “Rangoli”, an evening of traditional folk dances at the Sydney Bahai Centre. They achieved the dual objectives of encouraging Sydney’s local talent pool of dance students whilst raising a tidy sum of money to assist the “Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram” – an old age home for destitute, poor, disabled and Alzheimer’s sufferers in and around Delhi. This institution is desperately in need of funding sponsors as they propose expanding their activities to help a larger audience. They have acquired property in Garh Mukhteshwar near Moradabad to be able to accommodate hundreds more. Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram is currently receiving no assistance from the Government but some of the major Indian industrialists are backing this effort.

The entertainment program at Bahai Centre, focussed on presenting folk dances based on Kathak, Kolattam, Garba, Koli, Kathakali, Bhangra and Gypsy traditions. Music and percussion provided to the dancers was appropriate, foot movements and facial expressions synchronized to give the audience a rhythm that they applauded. The program also drew extensively from the Indian festivals like Janmashtami, Holi and Ganesh chaturthi. Their dancers were mostly school students who got guidance from teachers at Ruchi Sanghi Dance School, Samskriti School of Dance, Geetanjali School of Dance & Performing Arts from Bengal, Odia Society of Australia, Sydney Kannada School and Nrityagriha School of Dance. Performers on stage showed the commendable efforts of the teachers and choreographers and the colourful costumes added an aura of authenticity.

Vision 2020 has grown into a vibrant and purposeful charity, thanks to their track record of quality support to 9 charities that are spread all over India. These include orphanages, institutions that specialise in helping spastic children and disadvantaged children with autism, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, destitute children and of course, aged care.

Vision 2020 seeks help from the community by using their Gift cheques of $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations as gifts given on family celebrations such as weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. The weaker and vulnerable sections of the Indian society deserve many more of such laudable efforts by the Indian community at large, especially the well to do non-resident Indians.