Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation raises $500,000 at 27th annual banquet

Glitz, glamour, grandeur, fashion and a great cause with brimming compassion – the 27th Annual Benefit Dinner & Fashion fiesta organized by the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation (NDMF) at the Marriott Hotel in Uniondale, Long Island, New York on August 24 had all the ingredients that take to make an evening electrifying, enigmatic, memorable and a grand success.

"The Dutt Family with Trishla Dutt, with Kumar Guarav and late Richa Dutt’s parents"

Like every year, this event was held to raise funds to aid cancer research institutes in India. The gala saw some of the distinguished members of the Indian and mainstream American community contribute generously for this noble endeavor to raise a handsome half a million dollars amidst the gracious presence of the Bollywood celebs and fashion aficionados. NDMF, which has been working relentlessly to help innumerable not-for-profit medical facilities in India in their fight against cancer went a step further this year to join hands with the Indo-American Cancer Association, which is an organization run by top-notch cancer physicians of Indian decent in America. Dr Inderpal S Chhabra, President of NDMF said, “We will be sponsoring, some doctors from India to come and study here for a few months, as a fellow. They are taking up a project on Palliative Care, which is unheard of India. IACA is taking initiatives with some local hospitals and we will be joining them. We expected to raise about $720,000 tonight but eventually managed $500,000. We’ll put our level best to make it $1 million next year.”

"President Dr. Chhabra with Designer Chintan and
Bollywood Actress Vidya Balan & NDMF board member."

Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation has taken giant strides in their quest to provide better health care to the needy and the underprivileged. “The dream of Nargis Dutt still burns bright in the members of the Foundation and we share the unified vision of service,” said Dr Chhabra.

"Trishla Dutt at Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation"

The charming and the critically acclaimed Bollywood actress Vidya Balan was the Guest of Honor for the evening and undoubtedly the center of attraction. She looked stunning in a gorgeous Prriya and Chintan designer churidar kameez as she pranced the ramp to cheers from the audience. “I’m more than glad to be part of this event and have come only to lend my support to the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation for such a noble cause. If my presence or my name brings in one extra person or one extra check or greater amount of awareness I would be really happy to do it. I wish that people present here really open their hearts out to help people in need,” Vidya said during the show.

The talented designer duo of Prriya and Chintan enthralled a gathering of 500 with seventeen of their excellent couture of lehengas, corsets, dresses, churidar suits and jewelry collections. Some of their creations exuded the flamboyance of Mughal era and some clearly exhibited traces of art deco with intricate works of gold, silver, sequins and crystals on brocades, georgettes, French chiffons blending in western sensibility into Indian clothing and keeping in mind the Indian festive season. After a successful show, Chintan said, “We were looking to do something associated to a charity for quite some time and it’s great that we got connected with NDMF.

"President Dr. Inderpal Ch habra with Kumar Guarav"

When the name of Nargis Dutt is involved there is a reputation that goes with it and I would definitely want to contribute something to this noble cause.” Besides the fashion show, NDMF also honored seven dignitaries predominantly from the Indian American community who have made notable contributions either in the field of Cancer Research or to the economy as a whole. Among the honorees were Harshad Patel, President and CEO of East End Hospitality Management Co. LLC; Dr. Bhoomi Mehrotra, Director of Stem Cell Transplantation and head of Medical Oncology Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park;

Naveen C. Shah, a prominent CPA and an outstanding entrepreneur who is a partner in Rosen, Seymour, Shapss, Martin & Company, Certified Public Accountants and Profitability Consultants; Bhupinder Singh Boparai, an engineer by training, builder by profession and a dedicated social worker; Rajesh Mallaldi Shastry, one of the founding partners of Options Group; and Ellen Aschendorf Shasha of EGG Electric.

 

Bollywood actor-director Kumar Gaurav who is also the son-in-law of late Sunil and Nargis Dutt came from Mumbai to grace the occasion as one of the guests of Honor and handed out the trophies to the awardees along with Dr Chhabra. Sanjay Dutt’s daughter Trishala Dutt, who has been at the helm of affairs also made an appearance. The chief sponsors for this event were Lufthansa Airlines, Aetna Foundation, Radisson Lexington Hotel, Patel Brothers and Sahara One. Lufthansa presented free CDs to the guests. The show was coordinated by Shruti Tiwari.

BY RITU PANDEY