The honorees in turn commended AIF for its community service and positive impact in creating a better world for Indians at home and abroad. Rahman, who received the Spirit of India Award from Jones, said AIF has been instrumental in allowing Indian Americans to serve the less fortunate in their motherland. "They're doing great work for the needy people of India," Grammy and Golden Globe award winner Rahman told India-West, adding that he looks forward to the day when AIF can work with his music conservatory to help raise funds for education. Harman International chairman, president and CEO Paliwal, the recipient of the Corporate Leadership Award, also acknowledged the great work AIF has performed during the past decade.
"(AIF's) work over the last ten years with the most disadvantaged in India is an inspiration to me," Paliwal said. "AIF's goal to use the power of a digitally connected world to equalize opportunities for the disadvantaged and the impoverished in the U.S. and India through education is a tremendous and...worthwhile pursuit." After presenting the awards to Paliwal and Rahman, Jones recounted his many memories of India and Pakistan as well as the significance AIF has to those who benefit from its community service.
"I've long held a deep admiration for the indelible spirit and independence of the people (of India)," Jones, the honorary gala chair, said, adding that AIF has been vital in providing direct education and health care assistance to more than one million people. "The collective is always more important than the individual."
Jones' affection for Indians and their culture was on full display during the evening's entertainment, which featured dance performances by classical Kathak artists Amrapali Ambegaokar and Astha Dixit.
Ambegaokar's two-item performance included an original number dedicated to AIF, while Dixit presented a nearly 15-minute Kathak item. Bollywood playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan concluded the evening with such songs as "Desi Girl," "Crazy Kiya Re" and "Marjaani Marjaani." Approximately 500 people attended the AIF gala, which featured a live auction to help the organization's fundraising efforts. According to AIF, the LAMP initiative has "reached 250,000 children of seasonal migrant laborers and others in 320 villages and urban slums" and "will provide a high-quality education to an additional 36,000 children in the coming year."
Because seasonal migrant workers are rarely able to establish any sort of permanent residence, their children are unable to receive a proper education because they often join their parents in the field "under hazardous conditions." Through LAMP, the non-profit organization hopes to provide an education to these children, many of whom may be the first in their families to ever go to school. Those who donate to AIF enable the organization to fund the construction of hostels, provide bicycles to schoolgirls, build libraries, or supply communities with teachers and computers. AIF's long-range vision is to rely on LAMP to expand the group's reach while providing "greater access and quality resources" to the children it aims to assist. The gala event was chaired by Ravi Tilak, Vandana Tilak, Pushpa Patel and Bhikubhai Patel, with television host Tony Potts as master of ceremonies.