NJ Arya Samaj to host Mother’s Day fund- raising concert - Wednesday April 29, 2009

The New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Inc Humanitarian Mission (NJASMHM) will commemorate Mother’s Day, with a grand family entertainment fund- raising concert, called “Arya Swaranjali,” otherwise known as an “Evening of Hope 2009.” According to a release from the organization, net proceeds will be donated to various humanitarian projects throughout Guyana.

This variety concert takes place on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 13: 00hrs at the Sacred Heart Recreation Centre, 169 Bayview Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07305 ( 973- 868- 6163).

Performing live on stage will be well- known singing artistes Rikki Jai, Calypso Rose, Geeta Bisram, Devendra Pooran, Cliff Joseph, Dexter, Tricia, Ranjeev, and Danny Balgobin. There will be guest appearances by Soca Raja and King Raj. Dances will be performed by Dheeraj Gayaram & the “ Ghungoorus,” and Brianna Harrideo. All performers will be backed by the Angels Entertainment Group of Companies.

The Natraj Centre for the Performing Arts will be represented by Nanda Ashley Rai, and Katherine Ann Ramsingh, who plan to mesmerize the audience with their sizzling dance perfor mances.

The concert, fondly called, “ An Evening of Hope” in honour of the less fortunate children and seniors of Guyana who have been left out and left behind due to the cruel hands of poverty, will also be attended by the mayor of Jersey City, representatives of the U. S. Congress, Guyana’s ambassador and other dignitaries. They will join the audience in showing their solidarity and strong support for the NJASMHM’s magnificent efforts at promoting culture, dharma and hope to serve the less fortunate.

According to the release, funds raised in this and past projects have gone towards the conduct of important projects, like the Mahaicony Mini Hospital; the construction of a fire house at Rose Hall Town; open heart surgery cases for children in India; and assisting families in distress who have lost their homes, seniors with disabilities; paying school tuition for needy children and providing food vouchers for seniors in poor communities. The stories of beneficiaries are often heart breaking.

This is the fifth consecutive year that the NJASMHM has been organising a fund- raising concert of this type. According to Project Director, Pt Suresh Sugrim, President of the organisation, more than 500 children are likely to benefit from this year’s fund- raising drive. So far they have already assisted more than 4,000 children.
How are the children identified for help? The local (Guyana) Chapter NJASMHM will visit potential needy families’ homes and assess the children’s needs. Once the children meet the criteria set down by the mission, they will be selected to participate in the programme.