Inspired Second Generation Indian American Youth Raise $95,000 for Rural Indian Families

June 3, 2012 admin Newspaper Links

Chicago, IL: ABC7 Chicago Anchorman Ravi Baichwal, and Professor James Whelan of the Kelley School of Business, Indian University headlined a special fundraiser on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012, from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm, supporting Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD)’s successful social programs in India. CORD has been offering sustainable development programs in rural regions of many Indian states for the past 30 years. CORD’s services are focused on improving health, education, and support for the disabled, social justice, local self-governance, decreasing poverty and solving many environmental issues.

The fundraiser event had an attendance of 500 people and featured scrumptious Indian dinner, high-powered fusion Indian performances (Bhangra dances) and two comedic acts, hosted at Waterford Banquets, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL. It was broadcast on the ABC 7 10:00pm News showcasing anchorman Mr. Ravi Baichwal’s address to the crowd emphasizing the spirit of giving in the South Asian community and the impact the evening would have on the people of rural India. Professor James Wahlen, who has collaborated with and visited CORD sites in the past, commended the organization on its global ethos, which has an astounding local impact.

This event was spearheaded solely by the second generation, community-minded Indian American young professionals (part of Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK)) in Chicagoland, to raise financial support and community awareness for CORD. Many of these dedicated members have traveled to India on their own time and dime, driven by their personal mission to impact and drive social change in India, through CORD.

One of the stories that was shared during the event was of Shristhta Devi from the village of Bharmar. With what she could make on her sewing machine, she was just barely able to provide for her three children and meet household expenses. She joined the CORD Self-Help Group in her community and gave 20 rupees each month into a joint account. These SHGs, a form of micro banking, allow women to access credit. Many times the poor are considered to be ‘unbankable’ because of their lack of collateral. They are unable to receive loans from traditional banks which keep them from accessing the money they need to start a business or make a large purchase. But with access to credit from the SHG, Shrishta Devi felt empowered to expand her small sewing business and specialize in making bags. She received training from CORD on how to sew these bags and what designs would sell in the market. Through a loan from her SHG, she bought a new sewing machine and made 150-170 bags each month.

Stories like this and many more show the vast individualized effect on the half a million and counting beneficiaries that CORD has supported over the last 30 years and facilitated the incredible generosity of the 500 attendees.

Throughout the evening, $95,000 of the $100,000 goal was raised through the sales of paintings and hand- made goods created by the villagers directly impacted by CORD, and many generous donations from businesses and individuals. If you would like to contribute to CORD, the organizers can still be contacted for sponsorships opportunities or cash donations, to support this fundraiser. 100% of these proceeds will be transferred to programs of CORD, with no reduction for administrative costs.

Suresh Bodiwala Chairman of Asian Media and Chandrakant Modi MD, President of Asian Media USA had an opportunity to conduct interview regarding perspective of the “Cord” with Nikhil Aggarwal where he said that ” CORD’s unique and long-term accomplishments have come through empowerment of the members of local community, who are direct beneficiaries of its services. Villagers are taught modern techniques of agriculture and crop intensification, sanitation and hygiene, rainwater harvesting, micro-credit schemes and income generation activities, financial literacy as well as health improvement and awareness. CORD has also become an inspirational training center for individuals and institutions across India and from other parts of the world to train and successfully guide their programs. Its micro financing programs within the villages of rural India have become a successful model for urban banks to train their employees in these villages. CORD’s programs and services have impacted over 700 villages in four provinces of India and it has touched the lives of over 550,000 beneficiaries through this integrated transformation.”

About Cord:
Additional information please contact Rohini Raveendran(630) 532-9623 or Nikhil Aggarwal (630) 947-2857 or email strikingachordwithcord@gmail.com. To learn more about CORD, please visit http://www.cordusa.org/.