CRY, Child Rights and You America (CRY America), a nonprofit that works to restore the rights of underprivileged children in India, hosted its annual gala dinner ‘Pledge 2014’ at the Taj Pierre in New York Nov. 7.
For the past 12 years, CRY America’s work with 70 projects has resulted in 324,368 children enrolled in schools, 9,519 children freed from child labor, 177,814 children immunized, 95,444 births registered, 358 public healthcare centers strengthened and 501 villages free from child labor, according to a CRY press release.
Speaking at the gala, Shefali Sunderlal, president of CRY America told the audience that the nonprofit has given wings to the dreams of several thousand children by ensuring education, healthcare, nutrition and protection from exploitation. “This achievement has been possible only because of the support received from 20,000 generous donors and 2,000 committed volunteers,” she said.
Among attendees were Indian actor Madhur Mittal of “Slumdog Millionaire” and “The Million Dollar Arm Fame,” Vipp Jaswal, head of International Affairs, Fox News, Dr. Roshini Raj of NYU Medical Center and founder of TULA skin care, Scarlett Pildes, Shikha and Mohit Bhatia, Anita and Ajay Agarwal, Maureen and Gerard Devas, Rishikant Singh and John Phillip.
Paintings donated by famous Indian artists Late Badri Narayan, Prakash Deshmukh, Anu Kulkarni and Dattatraya Thombare; a cricket bat autographed by captain Sourav Ganguly; jewelry donated by Surat Diamonds; and a Beatles album autographed by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, were among items auctioned at the event by Priyanka Mathew, head of Sales and vice president of Contemporary South Asian Art at Sotheby’s.
Speaking at the gala, Mittal said he felt that it is time to give children their due. Recalling his experience of working with children in the slums of Mumbai, he said “You can unlock the potential of children when they are given a chance. Education plays a key role in the development of children and goes a long way in giving them the platform to realize their potential.”
Jaswal urged people to support the cause by sharing. “Most of us are lucky to have received the education and healthcare that has resulted in us being successful today. It is important for us to support organizations like CRY that ensures children have better opportunities to succeed in life,” he said.
“A healthy start in life goes a long way in setting a strong foundation for children,” Dr. Raj said, adding, “We cannot let lack of awareness or access to healthcare be a deterrent in a girl’s life”
This story originally appeared on News India Times.
