Video Interview: Desai Foundation President Megha Desai on the Lotus Festival, Menstrual Equity and Empowering Women in India

BOSTON— As the Desai Foundation prepares to welcome about 400 guests to its 12th Annual Lotus Festival this weekend, President Megha Desai is reflecting on both the organization’s roots and the growing impact of its work empowering women and children across rural India.

In a video interview, Desai discusses the foundation’s mission, the importance of bringing the Indian American community together and the organization’s expanding efforts in health, livelihoods and menstrual equity. She also looks ahead to this year’s Lotus Festival, which will take place Saturday, Oct. 10, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA.

For Desai, the annual gathering is more than a fundraising gala. It is an opportunity to connect a community in New England with programs creating tangible change thousands of miles away.

To watch the full interview, please click here, or on the image below.

Desai brings two decades of experience spanning social impact, philanthropy, marketing and community development to her role as president of the Desai Foundation. Through the organization, she leads efforts focused on empowering women and children through health, livelihood and menstrual equity.

The foundation reports that its more than 30 community-driven programs have impacted more than 12 million people across more than 4,000 communities in eight states in India.

A Mission Focused on Health, Opportunity and Dignity

A central focus of the foundation’s work is creating opportunities for women and girls to build healthier and more economically secure lives.

One of its signature initiatives, the Asani Sanitary Napkin Program, is now expanding as the foundation works with schools in India following a landmark Article 21 ruling recognizing menstrual health and dignity as a fundamental right for school-aged girls.

The expansion aims to help schools provide girls with menstrual products as well as education and awareness, addressing challenges that can affect students’ health, education and ability to participate fully in daily life.

For Desai and the foundation, menstrual equity is part of a broader understanding of empowerment — one that connects health, education, economic opportunity and dignity.

“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,” Desai said.

Lotus Festival Returns to Gillette Stadium

The 2026 Lotus Festival will bring together Indian American leaders, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and members of the Greater Boston and New England communities for an evening combining cultural celebration with support for the foundation’s work in India.

The event will feature Zenobia Moochhala as keynote speaker. Moochhala is a business and public-sector leader and co-founder of Care.com. She currently serves as Undersecretary of Business Strategies at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development, where she focuses on business strategy, innovation and economic growth.

Her keynote is expected to explore entrepreneurship, leadership and the role of community in creating lasting change — themes that closely align with the foundation’s mission.

Internationally acclaimed fusion artist, percussionist and entertainer Nihal Singh will provide opening and closing musical performances. Known for combining tabla, dhol, drums and contemporary sounds, Singh uses music and storytelling to celebrate South Asian culture and bring audiences together across generations.

The festival will also feature an opening dance performance by Kalyani’s Dance Group, marking the first time the group has performed at the Lotus Festival. The performance will explore themes of culture, community and empowerment through movement, music and storytelling.

Guests will also experience South Asian cuisine, an open bar, live entertainment, personal stories and live and silent auctions. VIP guests will have access to the Lighthouse observation deck at Gillette Stadium, along with other special stadium experiences.

A Community Connection

The Lotus Festival has particular significance for the Greater Boston and New England Indian American community, which has supported the Desai Foundation since its early years.

The foundation says the annual event provides an opportunity to celebrate that community while highlighting the continuing need for investment in women and children in rural India.

For Desai, that connection between local supporters and global impact remains at the heart of the organization’s work.

A passionate advocate for social change and women’s empowerment, Desai is also a TEDx speaker, advisor to several social enterprises and contributor to leading publications. She serves on the boards of Take Two Media Initiative and TiE Boston and is a member of the Resistance Revival Chorus, performing at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Newport Folk Festival.

Her work reflects the intersection of philanthropy, entrepreneurship, culture and community — themes that are also central to the Lotus Festival.

As the foundation expands its programs, including the Asani initiative, this year’s festival comes at a significant moment for an organization seeking to broaden its impact across rural India.

The Desai Foundation says every ticket, table and sponsorship for the Lotus Festival helps support its programs serving women and children. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities remain available, with organizers reporting that the event is already more than halfway sold.

The 12th Annual Lotus Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. The evening will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, entertainment, auctions, VIP experiences and appearances by special guests.

For the Desai Foundation, the event offers both a celebration of the Indian American community in New England and an opportunity to advance a larger mission: creating the health, economic opportunity and dignity needed for women and children to build brighter futures.

Watch the video interview with Desai Foundation President Megha Desai above to hear more about the Lotus Festival, the foundation’s mission and its expanding work across India.