A host of the UK and India’s most esteemed dignitaries, social glitterati, charity ambassadors and Indian film royalty gathered at the iconic Four Seasons Hotel in Park Lane, London, on the 19th of September, for a night of fun and fundraising at the Akshaya Patra Foundation UK’s annual The Sparkle Ball charity event. The event had as its lead sponsor Interiors With Art, a niche design, construction and lifestyle company, based in London, financial services firm Sun Global Investments, and Amira Rice.
One in three of the world’s malnourished children live in India. The Akshaya Patra UK is the world’s largest NGO-run school meal programme, which feeds and educates some of India’s poorest, underprivileged childen. The prestigious event – a highlight in every Londoner’s diary - saw an eclectic night of high-brow discussion, inspiring poetry recitation and delightful entertainment, all interspersed with vital fundraising pledges. In just under three years, a staggering amount has been raised by the Akshaya Patra UK through events and initiatives such as The Sparkle Ball, with £1 million already being sent to India support the cause.
Lionel Barber, Editor-in-Chief of the Financial Times, was the guest speaker who shared his experience of having the honour of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as exclusive political and financial anecdotes and his time at the Financial Times. Other esteemed attendees included G.P Hinduja, Pramod Mittal, Jo Johnson MP, Lord Hameed, Tom Singh (Founder of New Look), and Rt. Hon. Imran Mirza, Pakistani High Commissioner.
An event highlight was a special poetry recital from acclaimed poet laureate and lyricist Javed Akhtar, who delivered an inspirational and thought-provoking reading of his work, much to the awe of the assembled guests. There then followed a Q&A session with Javed Akhtar by renowned actor, columnist and marketing guru Suhel Seth. The two heavyweights debated about politics, India’s development and its position in the world order and Bollywood villains, in a lively and spirited exchange of words and wit. The successful event came to an end with a performance by singer Navin Kundra, who sang an array of Javed Akhtar’s most acclaimed music tracks.
Speaking about The Sparkle Ball event, Mr Harin Thaker, Chairman of Akshaya Patra UK and Ms. Dipika Khaitan, Executive Director of Akshaya Patra UK said: ‘Holding events like this is key to raising awareness of the Akshaya Patra UK; it brings together a variety of people and gives us the opportunity to maximise our fundraising efforts. And we do all this for one simple reason - to provide meals to children, eliminate child malnourishment and provide education to those who don’t have it. Feeding a hungry child is not charity. Feeding a hungry child is our social obligation, and the money raised from the Sparkle Ball will help us transform children's lives through education.’
The Akshaya Patra UK is a leading charity pioneering a school lunch programme that addresses two of the most immediate challenges facing India: hunger/malnutrition and access to education. It is the first Indian NGO to have been selected for a case study by the Harvard Business School of USA. Currently, the work of Akshaya Patra has resulted in 78.2% of parents reporting that their child’s health had improved due to having an Akshaya Patra meal at school, with 85% of headmasters and teachers believing that student grades had improved as a result. This essential work is partly funded by the Central Government of India, the respective state governments, corporates and benevolent individuals.
The Akshaya Patra Foundation provides freshly prepared, nutritious meals daily to over 1.3 million underprivileged children in over 8000 schools in eight states from 19 kitchens.
