Indian American Leaders Rally at Gillette Stadium to Advance Women’s Health in India at Desai Foundation’s 2026 Lotus Festival

FOXBORO, Mass. — The Desai Foundation will bring together Indian American leaders, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and members of the Greater Boston and New England communities for its 12th Annual Lotus Festival on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA.

The annual gala comes as the Desai Foundation expands its Asani Sanitary Napkin Program to help schools in India meet new requirements following a landmark Article 21 ruling recognizing menstrual health and dignity as a fundamental right for school-aged girls.

The evening will feature keynote speaker Zenobia Moochhala, an entrepreneur, public sector leader and longtime supporter of the Desai Foundation, along with internationally acclaimed fusion artist, percussionist and entertainer Nihal Singh.

Organizers say this year’s festival will celebrate the Greater Boston and New England Indian American community that has supported the Desai Foundation since its early years, while highlighting the organization’s expanding work across India.

The Desai Foundation says it has impacted more than 12 million lives across more than 4,000 communities in eight states in India through more than 30 community-driven programs focused on health, livelihood and menstrual equity.

“Lotus Festival is about bringing together people who use their talents and leadership to create lasting change across rural India,” said Megha Desai, president of the Desai Foundation. “As we expand our work to help schools implement Article 21, we’re honored to welcome leaders like Zenobia and Nihal, who inspire our community through innovation, joy, and service. Together, they’ll help us celebrate what’s possible when our community comes together to invest in the women and girls of India.”

Moochhala to deliver keynote address

Moochhala, a longtime supporter of the Desai Foundation, is a business and public sector leader whose career has focused on creating opportunities through entrepreneurship, innovation and collaboration.

She is a co-founder of Care.com, where she helped build the company into a mission-driven organization that changed the way families access care. The platform grew into a global business serving millions of families.

Moochhala currently serves as Undersecretary of Business Strategies at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development, where she works on business strategy, innovation and economic growth across Massachusetts.

Her career has included leadership in both the private and public sectors. From helping develop Care.com into a global platform to her current role with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Moochhala has focused on expanding opportunity through innovation and purpose-driven leadership.

Her Lotus Festival keynote will address entrepreneurship, leadership and the role of community in creating lasting change — themes that align with the Desai Foundation’s mission of empowering women and children through health, livelihood and menstrual equity.

Nihal Singh to headline musical performances

Singh, an internationally acclaimed fusion artist, percussionist and entertainer, will provide the festival’s opening and closing performances.

Known for turning audiences into participants, Singh incorporates tabla, dhol, drums and contemporary sounds into performances that celebrate South Asian culture through music and storytelling.

His work is designed to bring together audiences across generations and cultures while highlighting the richness of South Asian musical traditions.

Most recently, Singh performed with the internationally acclaimed Indo Warehouse collective, including appearances surrounding the group’s historic debut at Coachella.

Singh will perform at both the beginning and conclusion of the Lotus Festival, with performances intended to energize and celebrate the Indian American community attending the event.

Dance group to open festival

For the first time in Lotus Festival history, the Desai Foundation will feature an opening dance performance by Kalyani’s Dance Group.

The performance will use movement, music and storytelling to explore the themes behind the Lotus Festival, including culture, community, empowerment and the potential of women and girls.

The organization says the performance will set the tone for an evening focused on South Asian culture, community and supporting the Desai Foundation’s work.

Focus on menstrual health in India

The 2026 festival comes at an important point for the Desai Foundation as it expands the Asani Sanitary Napkin Program.

Following India’s Article 21 ruling affirming menstrual health as a fundamental right, the foundation is expanding the program to help schools provide girls with menstrual products and awareness education.

The organization says its work has already reached more than 12 million people across more than 4,000 communities in India.

The Asani program is part of the foundation’s broader effort to address health, livelihood and menstrual equity in rural communities.

Festival to feature food, entertainment and auctions

The Lotus Festival is designed to celebrate the Indian American community’s ability to support global initiatives.

Guests will be treated to live entertainment, personal stories, South Asian cuisine and an open bar. The event will also feature live and silent auctions and VIP access to Gillette Stadium’s Lighthouse observation deck.

The foundation says every ticket and table purchased, as well as sponsorships, helps support its programs serving women and children in rural India.

More than 400 people are expected to attend the event.

Event details

The 12th Annual Lotus Festival will take place:

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
• Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts
• Expected attendance: More than 400
• Featured keynote: Zenobia Moochhala
• Featured performer: Nihal Singh
• Opening dance performance: Kalyani’s Dance Group
• Other highlights: VIP Lighthouse access, cocktail reception, curated South Asian dinner, open bar, live and silent auctions, celebrity guests and special stadium experiences

Tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities are currently available, with the foundation reporting that the event is already more than halfway sold.

The Desai Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on empowering women and children through health, livelihood and menstrual equity programs across rural India.

The foundation operates more than 30 community-driven programs, including the Asani Sanitary Napkin Program, and reports that its work has impacted more than 12 million lives across more than 4,000 communities in eight states.

The organization says its mission is based on the belief that every person deserves the dignity and opportunity to dream beyond their circumstances.

The 2026 Lotus Festival will bring together the foundation’s supporters and the broader Indian American community in Greater Boston and New England for an evening that combines cultural celebration with fundraising for its work in India.