Gujarat Times

25 સĆટɂĊબર 06, 2024 (August 31 - September 06, 2024) The philanthropic organizations, Life Global California in US and Project 'Life' in India, held a fund raising galaAugust 18, 2024, at theSanatanDharmaTemple inNorwalk, California. The get together in Dallas & Houston followed by the Gala in New Jersey & in California held recently, raised $1 million and counting for expanding education and women's empowerment projects for thosemost in need inGujarat and else-where in India. More than 250 supporters and well-wishers attended the successful gala in California, and watched videos on the initiatives undertaken in India, including the 108 schools already built for under served areas and the future schools in the pipeline; impact of training projects to empower women to help them and their families and communities out of poverty, as well as environmental projects. Harish Solanki and Purvi Tank, the emcee for the event, commended the charitable efforts carried out by Life Global (www.lifeglobal.us ) (www.999life.org ). and Project ‘Life’ Several leaders of the two organizations addressed the gathering, including BU Patel, Chairman Manu Shah, Chief Patron, Dr. Jasvant Modi, Patron, Dr. Bhanji Kundaria, Founder &Secretary of LifeGlobal California, Meetal Koticha Shah, Joint ExecutiveTrustee and CEO of Project 'Life' and Rushikesh Pandya, Chief Development Officer & COO of Project 'Life'. Geeta & Subhash Bhatt who went to India to see the impact of projects, also spoke, who praised the resilience and strength of those in dire circumstances. Dr. Bhanji Kundaria welcomed the distinguished gathering, and supporters andwell-wishers. BU Patel Chairman & Manu Shah, Chief Patron of Life Global in their speech, went on to emphasize how Life Global California makes sure that every dollar received fromdonors is stretched to the farthest extent. In his speech BUPatel shared ''Duringmy 3 day visit to Project 'Life', I witnessed actual how the lives of underprivileged and marginalized individuals are being transformed through various humanitarian initiatives''. Regarding contributions, BUPatel praised a accountability & transparency of Project 'Life', saying that "one of our key responsibilities is to ensure that every donation we receive is used exactly as intended. We fully support the philanthropic activities of Project 'Life' through Life Global California, with the goal of uniting all US partner charities to amplify their collective impact. In his speech distinguished Philanthropist & Chief Benefactor of Project 'Life' & Life Global, Manu Shah stated, "During our 2 day visit to Project 'Life' in Rajkot, we witnessed the transformative impact of the initiative, which has significantly improved the lives of underprivileged women and students from remote villages through digitalization. The healthcare activities, such as Thalassaemia testing and blood donations for poor and needy patients, are highly commendable". It is worth noting that Rika and Manu Shah have generously contributed to the infrastructure development of the new Women EmpowermentCenterinJunagadh,whichwillbenefitthousandsofwomenintheyearstocome. Dr. Bhanji Kundaria, who not only co-founded Life Global California, but has a longtime involvement with Project 'Life', and is involved with numerous charities, spoke about his commitment for healthcare. Dr. Kundaria also made some special announcements on large Fund raising event by Life Global California & Project 'Life' for Education & Women's Empowerment Projects in India JOY Of SHARING R donor commitments, including the generous contribution made by Ila and Dipak Parekh for the infrastructure development of two schools in the remote villages of the Saurashtra region and also sponsor training for 200 women. This has been made possible with the gracious backing of Ranjan and Dilip Punatar, Founders of Life Global Texas. An endowment fund by Anju Pravin Ajmera's family to empower 25 women in perpetuity, with a $110,000 commitment; Dr. Nalini Vassa's pledge of $225,000 for school infrastructure development in Gujarat's Saurashtra region; and Dr. Prafulla Patel commitment of $100,000 to support Project 'Life', showcasing a strong community backing for the charity's ongoing projects. In his inspiring speech, Dr. Jasvant Modi, Patron of Life Global California, urged the youth to continue the legacy of serving humanity. He emphasized that their involvement and contributions can create a ripple effect, impacting countless lives. "I encourage you to visit Project 'Life' in Rajkot to see the difference we can make. Let's not just dream of a better future, but work actively to achieve it for those in need," he appealed. Joint Executive Trustee &CEO of Project 'Life' Meetal Koticha Shah shared an overview of the charity work carried out by Project 'Life' and Life Global, which partners with charities across Canada,Australia, the UK, theMiddle East and EastAsia, apart fromNewYork/New Jersey, California and Texas in the US. She expressed excitement about the event and highlighted the support received for the Thalassemia control initiative, emphasizing the goal of eradicating the disease in the future and stressed the importance of prevention as the only cure for Thalassemia. Shah also acknowledged efforts of Dr. Kundaria in Thalassemia prevention. She thanked Life Global California members for organizing the successful event. She dwelt on the organization's origins, startingwith amodest contribution of Rs. 101 by Shashikant and Chandrakant Koticha, and Kirit Vassa to having an impact on more than 9.8million lives across health, education, and empowerment sectors. Rushikesh Pandya invited all guests and Indians in North America to visit Project 'Life' in Rajkot, Gujarat, and to explore the Women Empowerment Program in Ahmedabad or Junagadh, and the Life Education Centre and their impact on the community. He pointed to the 108 schools built affecting 35,000 children annually, and the goal of building 125 schools by 2025, impacting 50,000 students each year. On women's empowerment, he said, “So far we have empowered 12,000 plus women and our goal is to make it 15,000 by end of the 2025-26”. Mr. Pandya is scheduled to visit Canada fromAugust 19 to 25, 2024. Geeta and Subhash Bhatt led the auction of autographed cricket bats to raise funds for various humanitarian initiatives. Notable contributors who purchased the bats and supported the charity include Nalini and Harish Solanki, Ramesh and Pradip Shah, Dr. Himat Tank, and Ila and Dr. Gunvant Mehta. The raised fund will be utilized for the charity work. Subhash Bhatt expressed gratitude to everyone for participating in the Gala and to support the humanitarian efforts of Project ‘Life.' A signed cricket bat is presented to Nalini Solanki by BU Patel Felicitation of Youth by Life Global California-from left Dr. Bhanji Kundaria, Harish Solanki & Dr. Jasvant Modi Life Global : www.lifeglobal.us Project ‘Life’ : www.999life.org Rushikesh Pandya Meetal Koticha Shah Executive leaders of Life Global California and Project 'Life' pose for a picture at the successful fund raising gala held August 18, 2024 at Sanatan Dharma Temple in Norwalk, California. More than 250 supporters and well-wishers of Life Global California and Project 'Life' attended the Aug. 18, 2024, fundraising gala hosted at the Sanatan Dharma Temple, organized under the leadership of BU Patel, Chairman of Life Global California. Partner Charities Global Head Quarters Saurashtra Medical & Educational Charitable Trust Indian Medical Scientific Research Foundation Ms. Meetal Koticha Shah Mr. Rushikesh Pandya +91 98242 85868 savelife@999life.org www.999life.org Follow us: @999projectlife California Chapter Dr. Bhanji Kundaria +1 805 878 4165 Life Global (USA) Mr. Amar Shah +1 201 819 3321 bkundaria@gmail.com amarshah48@gmail.com www.lifeglobal.us Ms. Bina Sanghvi Mr. Dilip Punatar +44 780 115 0338 +1 614 440 4239 Life Global UK Texas Chapter www.lifeglobal.org.uk info@lifeglobal.org.uk punatar@hotmail.com Dr. Dipti McGowan +61 755 510 412 Life Global Australia www.lifeglobal.org.au info@lifeglobal.org.au Mr. Sunil Koticha +1 204 890 2084 Life Global Canada www.lifeglobal.ca skoticha@gmail.com