Sneha-Varta: Talk by Snehalaya Founder, Dr. Girish Kulkarni & Trustee, Rajeev Kumar @ Naperville, IL
Schedule
5:00 PM – Chai & Networking
5:30 PM – Keynote & Conversations
6:30 PM – Hindustani Music: Smt. Vaishali Dhande - Founder, Yashasree Academy
7:00 PM - Refreshments/Snacks
In 1989, one simple question, "If not me, then who?", led Dr. Girish Kulkarni to offer a loaf of bread and a safe corner to an ostracised family. Thirty-seven years later, that single gesture has grown into 26 grassroots projects: a home for 400 children, one of India's largest adoption centers, a 24x7 helpline preventing child marriage, after-school programs in 8 slums, a state-of-the-art school for the underprivileged, a mental health and rehab centre, Shelter home for victims of doemstic violence a forest plantation and more. Snehalaya has rescued, rehabilitated, and empowered over 200,000 vulnerable women and children over three and a half decades.
Sneha-Varta, on August 18 evening is a special Meet and Greet event with Dr. Girish Kulkarni, founder of Snehalaya (Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra), and Founding Trustee, Rajeev Kumar. There's thousands of Indian origin people based across the US who are connected with Snehalya.
Rajeev is a close friend who I've known for 20+ years and Dr. Kulkarni for few years. My wife Sweta & me, visited Snehalya in Ahmednagar in 2023, and we were amazed at the scale of kindness and impact they are making, and it's an honor to welcome them to Greater Chicago area.
Snehalaya's work has received numerous awards and accolades and was honored by the President of India and featured in the show Satyamev Jayate hosted by Aamir Khan. Please see some links below including the short video.
Website: http://www.snehalaya.org
Snehankur, India's largest adoption center: https://www.snehalaya.org/adoption
Satyamev Jayate video - https://youtu.be/RbCjFbgC_Vs
Join us for an intimate and interactive session with Dr. Girish and Rajeev as they share firsthand stories of shifting a "Death with Dignity" initiative into a thriving "Life with Dignity" reality at Sneh-Varta.
We are also so glad to have Smt. Vaishali Dhande who has taught hindustani classical music to thousands of students (children to adults) over the last 20+ years with Yashasree academy from Naperville. Vaishali Ji & Team will perform couple devotional songs that connects with Krishna temple serenity and greater good.
What to expect
The Frontline Story: A thought provoking perspective into three decades of grassroots humanitarian work in India.
Open Conversation: An interactive audience Q&A with learnings on community service and giving back.
Community: Connect with fellow social impact advocates and local change makers along with some light music.
Event is in the Barsana Banquets Hall, on the left once you enter the Krishna ISKCON temple.
This is not a fundraiser event. It is an opportunity in an informal, intimate setting, to hear first hand on social impact at scale. Admission is free. Please register separtely for each attendee to reflect the total count for better planning.