LEXINGTON, MA–Vision-Aid, a Lexington, MA based non-profit focused on Enabling, Educating and Empowering the visually impaired, celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a combination of dazzling entertainment, emphasizing the importance of helping the visually impaired to become independent and showcasing success stories of many who found new opportunities and pursuing their dreams.
Its signature Broadway like Production “The Dancer’s Pledge” enthralled the audience who rewarded the performers with a resounding standing ovation. The show was produced and directed by acclaimed Producer, Composer, Choreographer of the Play, Kalaimamani Madurai R Muralidaran and by the talented group of 50 volunteer performers.
Jeyanthi Ghatraju and Sripriya Natarajan Moorthy were the Artistic Directors for the Show in New England and worked closely with Mr. Muralidaran and his daughter Kavya Muralidaran, a highly acclaimed and talented dancer in her own right, to help all of the New England dancers deliver an amazing performance on Sunday. The beauty and exquisiteness of the art of ancient Indian classical dances was at full display at the Event.
Opening Ceremony
Volunteer President Lalit Sudan welcomed the sponsors, donors, volunteers and guests. He highlighted Vision-Aid’s accomplishments and gave a 3-year outlook of helping another 100,000 visually impaired individuals in India with an increased focus on services for children afflicted with Cortical/Cerebral Impairment (CVI), more affordable innovative AI based Smart Vision Glasses, education and with the addition of many more Blind schools and partner Hospitals, significantly extending reach into remote areas.
Keynotes by Renu & Kedar Gupta
The audience applauded the introduction of the well-respected Chief Guests Dr. Kedar and Renu Gupta– entrepreneurs, philanthropists and author of Carving my Destiny – by Vice Chair Veena Handa.
Kedar and Renu Gupta delivered a very inspiring keynote from the heart and emphasized the critical importance of enabling and educating the Visually Impaired to become independent and to give them equal chances for opportunities to be able to become productive members of their communities. They praised Vision-Aid’s work and drew parallels of its operational excellence to the same customer focus, enthusiasm, diligence and team spirit that had led to the success of their own innovative start up that ushered in the Solar energy era worldwide.
Community Buzz
Remarks of the Chief Guests were echoed in India New England News Mishra Group’s Video that featured many noteworthy members of the Boston community, who gave powerful testimonials of the excellent work of Vision-Aid in making a big difference on the lives of the underprivileged Visually Impaired in India.
Founders Ramakrishna Raju and Revathy Ramakrishna continued the theme of Vision-Aid’s unrelenting efforts by recounting their 20 years journey of Vision-Aid from its humble beginnings with one room of Ram’s father Mr. Raju’s Vizag house to now serving the Visually Impaired in 47 locations throughout India in partnerships with preeminent Eye Hospitals and institutions such as the Arvind Eye Hospital network, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Sankara Nethralaya, Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, Voluntary Health Services, CECF (Community Eye Care Foundation) and others. Vision-Aid’s focus on marketable skills such as Computer Applications Training, Mobile Technology, Digital Accessibility Training, AI, Spoken English, Corporate Communications that has paved the way for many to participate in the jobs market and become self-sufficient.
Honoring Vision-Aid Presidents
The Founders Ramakrishna Raju and Revathy Ramakrishna along with Chairman Emeritus Puran Dang and Mrs. Kamlesh Dang and Vice Chari Mrs. Veena Handa gratefully recalled the dedication and contributions of the past three Volunteer Presidents Paramesh Garimella, Anu Chitrapu, Syed Ali Rizvi and the current President for the
past three years Lalit Sudan. They were honored and felicitated for their significant roles in leading Vision-Aid to its respected status in the community and capabilities in its portfolio of programs.
Triple Impact Matching Grant Announced
Veena Handa Vice Chair of Vision-Aid announced two powerful matching grant programs at the event:
Every donation of $200 made towards Smart Phones will be equally matched up to $25,000 by Chief Guests Kedar and Renu Gupta and by the Trees For Life Foundation. So, a donation of $200 will in effect become $600 and help buy three Smart Phones that support the education of underprivileged students as well as serve as a required component for operation of the AI Smart Vision Eyeglasses.
The match announced at the event was extended to Sunday July 28th at 4 PM EST. So, any donor interested in multiplying the impact of these life-changing gifts can go to www.VisionAid.org/event to make their donation before 10 pm on Sunday July 28th, to avail the generous triple-match offer to triple the impact of their donation.
Vision-Aid recognizes US Presidents Volunteer Gold Medal Awardees
The prestigious Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) was awarded to 6 youth ambassadors by Dr. Neeru Oberoi to recognize their outstanding contributions and transformative impact by going above and beyond in fundraising, creativity, and network-building. They are primarily Vision-Aid dancers who have additionally dedicated their arangetram efforts and gifts to the cause of the visually impaired beneficiaries.
Congratulations to Amal Balachundhar, Shreya Kalavur, Dyuthi Prashanth, Siddhi Talekar, Prisha Mishra and Amisha Arora.
Vision-Aid Ambassador Medal Awardees
Vision-Aid Ambassador medals were awarded to youth for their distinguished contributions to the Vision-Aid 2024 event , socializing the cause of the visually impaired in the New England community and their fund-raising efforts.
Congratulations to Varaliika Satheesh, Sarayu Gadam, Charvi Veeramachineni, Prakshita Rajasekharan, Shlok Kudrimoti, Priyanka Joshi, Roopa Modha apart from Jeyanthi Ghatraju who continues to remain the biggest ambassador of the cause.
Event Logistics
The audience also gave high marks and accolades for the enthusiasm and professionalism of the Vision-Aid’s 50 plus volunteers helping them with logistics and seating, taking memorable photographs and guiding them during the pre-show tea and appetizers, and after the show Boxed Dinners from Gourmet India. Nine months of intense planning, organizing, late nights and over four months of dance rehearsals led to this applause worthy 20th Anniversary event for a very worthwhile cause!
Community Testimonials
Prashanth Palakurthi, well known entrepreneur and philanthropist remarked “I truly believe in the mission of Vision-Aid. As donors we always worry about how it is being used and how much it is being stretched to benefit the needy. I can put my hand on my heart and say that for the money, they deliver the best value for my donations in doing transformational work in helping the Visually Impaired in India.”
Venkat and Pratima Srinivasan commented “Two important reasons drew me to cause. First the cause of the visually impaired itself. Second, my father had experienced blindness in his life. Vision-Aid has given so much of their time and is reaching so many and helping many in remote areas by opening centers, scaling their operations and with innovative solutions such as AI SVG. . Pratima added that having eyesight is a privilege is taken for granted. In spite of being fully capable, visually impaired face many challenges. And if they come from rural areas, they are not aware of the help available through organizations such as Vision-Aid. Vision-Aid is doing an outstanding job of early intervention and education helping them to lead to dignified life. This is what attracted us to become supporters of Vision-Aid.”
Ram and Meetu Gupta “We initiated the need for a Vision-Aid center in the Delhi area and funded the Resource center at Shroff Eye Hospital. Recently, we visited the Center and were very impressed with the tenacity, resilience and hard work of the Visually Impaired who are being skilled in Computers and other important educational STEM areas. That is very satisfying and makes us very happy. This Center helps people like my father who was blind for over half his life. We are committed to support this cause “
Priti and Mukesh Chatter “What is being visually impaired? It is the most critical loss of the five senses. The big thing is that despite loss of sight, the visually impaired can do much with proper assistance. The need for assistance is profound. Many of them, especially in the middle or low incomes face many barriers and stigma. Vision-Aid is providing them the necessary support. Let me summarize, Vision-Aid services are like a light switch. It is a gift that allows them to become independent and live with dignity. We are passionate about supporting Vision-Aid.”
Subu Kota “I have lived over 50 years in the Boston area. I firmly believe in the cause of Visually Impaired and Blind. I want to help them to the best of my capability. Many years ago, I observed that Vision-Aid was providing all the right Services and Tools. I was very impressed and have been supporting them for a long time and I will continue to support them.”
Mr. Puran Dang, Chairman Emeritus said, “One Famous English Poet wrote: “Facts are stranger than Fiction – Our Vision- Aid 20th Anniversary Event proves these words. The Dance Drama with 50 Local Dancers produced by the Famous Guru of Chennai was out of this world”
Dr. Suraja Menon Roychowdhury, Founder of Crossing Point Acupuncture and Vision-Aid Advisory Board member, said “What an amazing evening!!!! My mother, friend and husband thoroughly enjoyed the Event. Congrats to Jeyanthi Ghatraju, Muralidaran, Sripriya Natarajan Moorthy and the whole team.”
Producer and Choreographer, Ramachandran Muralidaran said “I have come here for the 15 years. I truly believe in the work of Vision-Aid and consider myself and my family as part of the extended team. I am so happy to work with local Boston dancers and Vision-Aid to bring my original concept to life on stage. The Boston audience is most gracious and welcoming. I am looking forward to staging this production throughout the world.”
Vision-Aid recognized several outstanding volunteers, as Vision-Aid Ambassadors for their volunteer service – Roopa Modha, Amal Balachundhar, Sarayu Gadam, Krithi Sekharan and Dyuthi Prashanth, apart from Jeyanthi Ghatraju who continues to remain the biggest ambassador of the cause.
About the Production and Performers
Shri Muralidaran was assisted in his choreography by his wife Smt. Chithra Muralidharan & daughter Kavya Muralidharan. The global premiere of the show materialized in New England with two leading Artistic Directors who were the driving forces for the show this year. Jeyanthi Ghatraju, the founding Artistic Director for Vision-Aid events since 2009, worked closely with Sripriya Natarajan Moorthy to forge a team of over 50 talented dancers from across New England.
They were ably supported by Senior Dance Teachers and Mentors – Roopa Modha, Priyanka Joshi, Kalaimangai Anbalgan and Shilpa Bhaskar Aravind all of whom were felicitated by Meetu and Ram Gupta
The dancers and performers in the show included –
The other performers in the production include
Senior dancers: Shwetha Choudhary, Hema Gopalan, Danush Datthathireyan, Manuel Jenkin Jerome, Priyanka Joshi, Shruti Kulkarni, Roopa Modha, Shruthi Lakshmi Narayan, Pawanahamsa Shetty, Abinaya Shine, Aruna Patibandla, Archana Menon, Anusha Yedla, Viswapriya Soundhara Rajan
Ensemble Group A dancers:
Aarya Atale, Sarayu Gadam, Akshadha Ghantasala, Harini Jeyaraman, Kavya Krishnan, Archana Menon, Vaidehi Moorthy, Aditi Nair, Avantika Nair, Aruna Patibandla, Praksitha Rajasekaran, Varaliikaa Satheesh, Priscilla Srikanth, Sheethal Udupa, Charvi Veeramachaneni, Megha Veeramachaneni and Chetana Yella
Ensemble Group B dancers:
Vanshika Kukunoor, Aarna Mahadevan, Akshaya Mavalur, Naomi Varughese
Ensemble Group C dancers:
Aretha Aravind, Akshita Koganti, Maedha Naluvala, Sakthi Adhira Panchabakesan, Jhanavi Rajesh, Dhruv Koganti,
Monish Potturu, Dhanvin Yella, Subramaniam Moorthy (Subi Moorthy)
Vision-Aid thanks the enablers of the dance production –
Props by: Sreeja Pillai, Anuradha Gadepalli , Selvi Kasilingam, Sahana Udupa, Saritha Tummalapalli, Sunitha Rayanki,
Manuel Jenkin Jerome, Sripriya Balasubramanian, Sunitha Krishnapillai, Meena Shanmugam, Priya Vasudevan &
Padmapriya Gurusamy
English narration, dialogs and subtitles: Vaidehi Moorthy & Sripriya Natarajan Moorthy
English dialogs performed by: Vijay Moorthy, Syed Ali Rizvi
Stage managers: Kalpana Balachundar, Viswapriya Soundararajan, Kavitha Sivasailam
Lighting: Raajan Narayanan, Shilpa Narayanan and Mark of NE Stageworks
Photography By: Krish Velmurugan of @KrispFotos, Sanjay Kudrimoti, Vasudha Kudrimoti and Shlok Kudrimoti of Fotu Duniya – The Picture World and Veerappan VS of VSSP Photography
Videography By: Fotu Duniya – The Picture World
Brochure Design By: Meyyappan Meyyappan of Kolam Media Creations
The Vision-Aid Volunteer team:
The tireless volunteer team at the event included Syed Ali Rizvi, Sunitha Mosurkal, Rohan Rastogi, Ujwala Phene, Vijaya Nelavelli, Aparna Raghuram, Srivatsan Sathyamoorthy, Swathi Raghuraman, Sujaa Raghunath, Sushma Sriram, Sriram, Reena Dass, Shilpa Atnoor, Deven Atnoor, Mayuri Shah, Itesh Shah, Sudhir Varma, Vimal Mannava, Neeta Agarwal, Ravi Rastogi, Kanth Ghatraju, Dr. Loubaina Buxamusa, Sonal Bakre, Shashank Bakre, Kanth Ghatraju, Vijay Moorthy, Hiral Desai Wakhlu, Ronak Wakhlu, Ishani Wakhlu, Dev, Rekha Palriwala, Herb Hickey.
The Vision-Aid leadership team includes –
Board of Advisors
Puran Dang, Chairman Emeritus, Veena Handa, Vice-Chair, Ram Gupta, Ashok Khanna, Cynthia Asmus, Dr. Loubaina Buxamusa, Dr. Yogeshwar Dayal, Dr. Neelam Sihag, Dr. Deeba Husain, Vijay Narang, Dr. Suraja Menon Roychowdhury, Dr. Sabera Shah, Dr. Nilesh Sheth, Dr. Santosh Vempala, Dr. Bharti Gangwani
Board of Directors
Lalit Sudan, President, Ramakrishna (Ram) Raju, Founder & Executive Director, Revathy Ramakrishna, Co-Founder & Vice President, Sudhir Varma, Treasurer, Ujwala Phene, Assistant Treasurer,
Syed Ali Rizvi, Past President, Sonal Bakre, Dr. Arathy Kartha, Dr. Sanjay Kudrimoti, Dr. Aparna Raghuram, Dr. Ramkumar Ramamirtham, Ravi Rastogi, Dr. Sundar Subramanyam, Dr. Jaya Vatsyayan, Hiral Desai Wakhlu
Council of Ambassadors
Jeyanthi Ghatraju, Sandhya Subramaniam, Sailaja Manda, Revathi Pillai, Dr. Monika Manocha Wadhwa, Dr. Vivek Badami.
