Georgia Association
of Physicians
of Indian Heritage

Shiv Aggarwal;Mani Krishna Swami;Dr.Sreeni Gangasani;Dr.Dilip Patel

GAPI lends laudable support to Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation
By Mahadev Desai

The Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage (GAPI) organized its Regional Meeting cum a gala musical night for a laudable cause of supporting the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation (EVF), South –East Region, USA, a non-profit Charitable Trust that runs a unique people's movement which initiates, supports and runs non-formal, one-teacher schools for the disadvantaged and neglected tribal children- free basic education, healthcare, vocational training and social and community empowerment. The mega event, held at The Palace Restaurant, on Saturday, December 4 was co-sponsored by Prime Agency, LLC, and well attended by GAPI's past and present Board members, members as well many other physicians from Georgia. The glitzy event was also graced by Dr.Tarak Vasavada, President of Alabama Association of Physicians from India, Dr.Avadhesh Sharma, President, and Association of Scientists of Indian Origin in America (ASIOA) Inc. And Shiv Aggarwal, President of Atlanta Chapter of Ekal Vidyalaya.  

Just before the main event ,during social hour, the attendees ,while enjoying the delectable snacks and drinks went around visiting various booths set up by different sponsors including David Hesler Accounting, Camellia Home Health, Synergy America, and Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, to name a few.
After the social hour, Atlanta's well known and respected Cardiologist and Chief of Department of Medicine at Gwinnett Health System, GAPI President, Dr.Sreeni Gangasani, welcomed all and thanked all the sponsors. He went on to give an overview of GAPI's varied activities aimed to help not only its members but also the community at large through outreach programs like Health Fairs. He then introduced the guest-speakers for the evening.
Dax Cooke of LPL Financial gave a riveting and informative talk, "Estate Planning for changing tax laws and how to protect your money". He made it more interesting by presenting examples under different scenarios.

Next Speaker, an Interventional cardiologist from Texas,Dr.Annie Varughese,MD,and Ms. Jan Bloom, gave an educative talk on preventive or dietary approach to control hyperlipidemia, titled," Hyperlipidemia beyond stains and how to improve your practice cash flow.". Dr.Varughese presented data from controlled trials at well-known medical research institutes and Ms. Bloom talked about her personal family story of benefits from the use of the specially formulated dietary supplement.
Following Harish Thadani's talk on "Unique Long Term Cash Product", the attendees were treated to an enlightening presentation on Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation and its activities by Ajay Upadhyaya, one of Ekal's volunteers. Ekal's philosophy is based on world-renowned, India's iconic spiritual and cultural ambassador, and Swami Vivekananda's idea that if the child cannot go to the school, let the school go to the child. "The Ekal movement is operating over 34,000 villages and educating over one million children in rural India. The EVF, India and EVF, in America are working earnestly, hand- in- hand to help raise the funds necessary to build 100,000 non-formal schools across the tribal belt by the year 2011. An Ekal School needs only $365 a year to run.

Following the inspirational presentation, Dr.Gangasani announced a generous donation of $1,000 on behalf of GAPI.He also made a personal pledge of $365, to support one school for one year. (Applause).
GAPI's immediate past President, Dr.Santanu Das and Gapi's Secretary Dr.Gaur also praised Ekal's mission and its commendable role in eradicating illiteracy among the tribal people. GAPI's President -Elect, Dr.Dilip Patel exhorted the attendees to emulate the generous gesture of Dr.Gangasani and support EVF. His appeal got a good response in that 15 more pledges were received at the event.
Ekal's Volunteer Mrs. Manjula Reddy thanked Dr.Gangasani for the support and said that both organizations would continue working together in the future for this good cause.

GAPI President Dr.Sreeni Gangasani;Secretary Dr.Abhishek Gaur;
Past President Dr.Santanu Das and President Elect Dr.Dilip Patel

It was time to unwind. While the attendees were relishing the sumptuous dinner, Dr.Dilip Patel introduced Huntsville, Alabama's well known urologist and the Founder of versatile Geetanjali Music Group.Dr.Amit Chakrabarty, who entertained the audience with his medley of old and new hit songs to karaoke music and also regaled them with amusing parody and comedy. His daughter Aparita also sang melodious songs, while DJ Shyam Brahmbhatt managed the background audio and PA system. The music was so inviting that soon the attendees got up from their seats and began dancing.
Dr.A Sharma informed the attendees about the upcoming annual Meeting of ASIOA in Suwanee, Georgia, in January 2011 and appealed for help either in cash or kind.  

Dr.Amit Chakrabarty and Aparita Chakrabarty entertains at the event

Dr.Gangasani informed the members about upcoming activities of GAPI, including Free GAPI Clinic at the Global Mall .Member Physicians were requested to volunteer their services at the clinic. They were also informed that AAPI has offered its Patron Membership at half price to those physicians who are members of local Chapter,GAPI.
Attendees had more fun participating in draws with sponsor-donated Prize of Dinner for Two or tickets to the Falcons game.
Dr.Gangasani's staff and volunteers from a sponsor together with his wife Mrs. Madhavi Gangasani rendered unstinted support in ensuring smooth, flawless running of the entire event.
GAPI is planning on organizing its annual function in April 2011 and also working on releasing a GAPI directory at that time. He exhorted Physicians of Indian Heritage to become GAPI members and play a pro- active role in the organization. He thanked well known and respected social activist and philanthropist, Global Mall owner, Shiv Aggarwal and Ekal volunteers Sant Khanna, Chander Aggarwal, Mrs. Manjula Reddy, Malla Reddy and Kaushik Mantri. He also thanked Arun and Manjula Kothari of The Palace Restaurant for providing delectable snacks and dinner.
One of the attendee commented, " This was a very well organized Meeting and musical night. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire program and also glad that Ekal Vidyalaya got an encouraging support."
No doubt, the joyous event will linger in memory for a long period.  

Article Courtsey of Atlanta Dunia