Akshaya Patra SoCal Gala Raises $1 Million For 50,000 Children
Photo: Youth were recognized at the gala for embodying the spirit of compassion.
By Komal Agrawal
LONG BEACH, CA — The ballroom of the Hyatt Regency in Long Beach shimmered with purpose as more than 250 guests gathered for the Akshaya Patra USA SoCal Chapter Gala 2025—an event that proved how collective generosity can transform lives across oceans.
By night’s end, amid applause, music, and heartfelt speeches, the chapter had raised an astonishing $1 million—enough to feed 50,000 children for an entire year through the Akshaya Patra Foundation’s Food for Education program in India.
Guests arrived early on September 14, greeted by saffron-gold backdrops, flickering votives, and elegant centerpieces symbolizing Akshaya Patra’s golden pot—the “inexhaustible vessel” of hope. The evening began with a lively networking hour and VIP Meet & Greet with tennis legend and humanitarian Vijay Amritraj and Congresswoman Nanette Barragán.
The formal program opened with a soulful Ganesh Vandana by Priya Mani, followed by a moving video about Akshaya Patra’s mission: to ensure that no child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger.
Srivatsan Rajan, Chairman of Akshaya Patra, delivered a rousing opening address—a blend of inspiration and data-driven insight.
“Akshaya Patra started in 2000 by feeding just 1,500 children,” Rajan said. “Today, we serve over 2.25 million children daily across 78 kitchens in 16 states. We’ve served more than five billion meals since inception. Our kitchens—some of the largest in the world—are models of efficiency studied twice by Harvard Business School.”
He highlighted the organization’s broad humanitarian impact, from feeding Anganwadi children and expectant mothers to disaster relief efforts—honored with the Gandhi Peace Prize (2016) and BBC Global Food Champion Award (2019).
When Vijay Amritraj took the stage, the ballroom erupted in a standing ovation. The tennis legend—fresh off his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame—delivered a powerful keynote that intertwined personal perseverance with Akshaya Patra’s purpose.
“‘Can’t,’ in our house, meant ‘won’t,’” Amritraj recalled, invoking his mother’s indomitable spirit. “In life, we constantly face battles, but every challenge is an opportunity. Pressure is a privilege.”
He drew a vivid parallel between his own journey and that of millions of Indian children battling hunger:
“A hungry child cannot learn. Food in the stomach is the first step toward dignity, education, and opportunity.”
A former United Nations Messenger of Peace, Amritraj reminded the audience:
“Every little thing we can do, we should do. That is the spirit of Akshaya Patra.”
Service and Gratitude
The evening unfolded under the vibrant hosting of Sunny Moza, who kept guests engaged with wit, warmth, and purpose.
Philanthropists and entrepreneurs Manohar “Manu” Shah and Rika Shah, founders of MS International, delivered an inspiring “Speech of Inspiration,” recounting his journey from a small-town boy in India to the helm of a billion-dollar U.S. enterprise.
“Success has meaning only when shared,” Shah said. “Our approach to giving is rooted in gratitude and responsibility—it is a lifelong duty to uplift others.”
Introduced by Navneet Chugh, Chair of Akshaya Patra’s National Advisory Council, Congresswoman Nanette Díaz Barragán of California’s 44th District delivered a heartfelt address reflecting on her Hispanic heritage and the shared values between the Indian and Latino communities.
“Immigrants have been building America for 250 years,” she said. “The Indian community has shown us what resilience, education, and family values look like. Akshaya Patra’s work—feeding millions of children—embodies the best of what we can do when we care for each other.”
Her words drew repeated applause, underscoring the evening’s theme: compassion transcends culture.
The Pledge
As the pledge drive began, volunteers armed with tablets and paddles crisscrossed the ballroom while Sunny Moza, Navin Goel (CEO, Akshaya Patra USA), and Navneet Chugh urged the crowd to raise their paddles high for hungry children.
Donations poured in—from $100 to $100,000—culminating in a triumphant announcement:
“We’ve reached $1 million!”
The milestone reflected not only generosity but a shared conviction that every child deserves the chance to learn and dream.
Youth
Following the pledges, youth volunteers were honored for their service, including the next generation of changemakers from local high schools.
Children guided by their Guru Shipra of Adaa Dance Academy beautifully performed on harmonious tunes reflecting a blend of Eastern and Western cultures, captivating the audience.
The evening then gave way to music, dance, and dinner, with performances by Vivek Arya and Priyanka Mani that had guests swaying long after dessert was served.
Geeta Venkat, longtime supporter and chapter board member, praised the evening: “The AP gala was a very upscale, elegant event with a great location and a variety of mouth-watering food. The guests viewed good entertainment and, last but not least, an endearing, thought-provoking emotional speech by the chief guest, Vijay Amritraj. The guests helped the fundraiser event by opening their wallets to donate.”
The event was a seamless production—from digital pledge apps to color-coordinated décor—executed with precision by Chapter Chair Nidhi Kathuria and her dedicated team, supported by volunteers from Chugh LLP.
