A bit of charity at Diwali

Manjit Gujral helps raise more than $30,000 for I-India Project

Hope the children at Jhag village, just outside of Jaipur, had a good Diwali this year.

Some 400 Sydney-siders were thinking of them as they celebrated the Festival of Lights in downtown Sydney; and by simply agreeing to attend this year, they had in their own way helped ensure that Jhag kids would have an even happier Diwali next year round.

Leading Indian-Australian entrepreneur Manjit Gujral and the Sydney-based NGO I-India Project held their second annual Diwali Ball on November 10 at the Four Seasons Hotel.

I-India Project Australia is a not-for-profit organisation based in Sydney which was established in 2007 in partnership with I-India. The aim of this organisation is to raise money for the construction and operation of the ‘Jhag Children’s Village’ located 45 minutes from Jaipur in India, where the organisation is helping to run a school for children, two shelter homes caring for former street children, as well as a medical clinic. By providing health services, shelter and education, I-India hopes to help these children rise from poverty and ensure better lives for themselves and their families, while at the same time trying to stimulate the local economy.

The fundraising event was attended by people from different backgrounds, all present to help battle poverty and illiteracy and lift lives in Jhag village.

Manjit and Kanwar Gujral welcomed guests with bindis, necklaces and scarves, the festive atmosphere kicking in even at the door. A giant ice-sculpted Lakshmi smiled down at attendees, who made the most of the Goddess of the day, decorated with flowers and candles, by making her a fitting backdrop for their Diwali photographs.

Over drinks guests browsed around the huge display of silent auction items for which they could bid through an easy-to-use online system. A large number of items and services ranging from Prada perfumes to cake decorating classes and much more were on offer.

The Grand Ballroom was beautifully decorated in shades of black and gold, with majestic silver candlestands as the centrepiece on each table. (Manjit’s touch was immediately apparent). Celia Barnett, committee member of the I-India Project Australia offered a short introduction on the history and goals of the I-India Project he had seen so many taxi drivers together at the one spot). Crooner Larry Stellar stood up to his name beautifully as he channelled Frank Sinatra and had the girls up on their feet dancing in the aisles –and mid-centre! The aerial acrobats Aerialize were simply stunning, introducing some truly beautiful Indian links to their act, such as with music and costumes; they kept the audience spellbound.

Australia. “We’re just under the $5 million mark in our overall fundraising,” she announced, adding that she hoped the barrier would be crossed at the end of the night. Her accounts of the manner in which the Jhag Children’s Village has grown ever since they started their work there, moved the audience. As she recounted stories of some kids under I-India’s care, she brought home loud and clear that ordinary individuals can become change-agents.

Throughout the evening, the guests were treated to multiple courses of a lavish Manjit-style dinner - a truly dazzling variety of mouth-watering Indian dishes - as MC Preeti Thadani guided the events on the program.

Magician

And yet, there is much we can celebrate in our daily lives, the entertainers of the night reminded us. Ruchi Sanghi School of Dance and the Sirens group brought in a fun element. The Ctaare fashion show concluded safely with no untoward incident as some impossibly high heels negotiated the steps up to the stage.

Brendan Montana from Magic to the Max was entertaining, even though his tricks were run-of-themill (clearly he has never waited at a taxi rank before, because he claimed this was the first time

As Manjit came up to wish everyone a happy Diwali, he was surrounded by a spectacular display of indoor fireworks which were set off on the stage perfectly on cue, as well as at the dinner tables through special custom-made devices cleverly concealed as candles.

With tickets priced at $175 per person and $1750 for a table, in addition to the silent auction and a live auction, the night raised over $30,000 for I-India Project Australia. Guests bid generously throughout the evening with the highest bid placed at $3500 for a Steve Waugh autographed cricket bat. The live auction was similarly well received, with a variety of items being offered such as a queen size mattress and a romantic Fijian holiday for two.

Celia Barnett must surely have been thrilled to have exceeded the fundraising goal, thanks to the generosity of the guests present and the businesses that had provided their support. For more details of the work done by I-India Project Australia, visit their website www.i-indiaproject.org.au