Mumbai: New Year Celebrations With Difference
Media Release
Mumbai, Dec 30: Indian Development Foundation organized New Year Celebrations with leprosy patients at Vimala Dermatological Centre, Versova here on Wednesday December 29.
Citizens from different walks of life participated in the programme and shared joy with the inmates and children of the Centre.
Vimala Centre with its festive festoons and glittering lamps gave rare moments of joy to patients and children as they were all set to welcome 2011. The entire Centre was transformed into a fairy land as the jubilant Mumbaikars strolled into participate in the gala event.
In his address, Huzaifa Khorakiwala, CEO, Wockhardt Foundation gave seven values for everyone to observe for a sober and saner life. Speakers wished the patients and children best of luck for the New Year 2011.
Vimala children clad in their very best gave the festive season an added colour. They looked so beautiful and grand as they were garlanded by guests of honour Huzaifa Khorakiwala followed by Rotarian Sana Rupani, Lion M R Varghese, D P Agarwal, Rekha Bajaj, Anil Shivdasan and Sangeetha Shetty.
Dr A R K Pillai, founder president, IDF spoke on the spirit of citizens reach-out programme. Young ambassadors who spoke at the gathering include S Karthick, Keshav Poduval, Tishti Humane and Sahil Rupani.
Flowers, cakes, sweets, biscuits and eatables, T shirts, Towels and medicines gifted by various Corporate and Samaritans were distributed to the patients and children. Santa Claus went around wishing everyone especially the children.
Sr Bertilla led the Vimala Centre team as the patients trooped into witness this grand event of the year. “It's really a happy time for the leprosy patients and children of the centre and we are grateful to the citizens who turn out in good number to greet the people here”, said Sr Bertilla Capra, director of Vimala Centre.
Important personalities, social workers, heads of educational institutions, senior citizens, teachers, members of Bangur Nagar Laughter Club, students from SVKM Law College, Christ College, Atharva College of Engineering, Thakur College of Engineering and Podar International School and Mumbai University Volunteers took active part in the event and shared happiness among leprosy patients and children.
Parle Products donated Parle-G biscuits, Royal Fashions donated Towels and Wockhardt Foundation donated T-Shirts and Protinex for the inmates and the children.
Grand music sessions rent the air as everyone sat glued to their seats lost in sheer enjoyment. Anil Shivadasan and his talented artists gave an excellent musical evening. Vinod Seshadri of K for Kishor Kumar sang his usual numbers and earned applause. Ramnath, IDF Volunteer gave a couple of popular songs. Revathy Sridhar gave the invocation song which set the environment in good shape.
The children and the audience danced with joy as the programme proceeded. The festive event had the Jai Ho to linger the happy feeling.