Since 1986, the Friends of India Endowment has financially supported local projects and students through fundraising and donations.
Rajindar Koshal, professor of economics and one of the three founding trustees of the endowment, said the endowment was created to help people understand the relationship between India and the United States.
“We want to bring the world’s two largest democracies close,” he said. “We try to bring a better understanding of India to the US and from the US to India, so it works both ways.”
The endowment also runs various cultural programs and tries to bring Indian professors to speak at the university, Koshal said.
The endowment is managed by the Ohio University Foundation, and they are both non-profit.
The proceeds from Saturday night’s ticket sales, donations and silent auction will support programs such as OU’s Clean Water Project in Ecuador and to fund student trips to India. All of the items for the silent auction have been donated.
The Indian Students Association has worked with the Friends of India Endowment before to help raise money, said Bhakti Shah, executive committee member of the ISA.
Shah said she is excited about many different aspects of the evening.
“I’m looking forward to the performances, and I know it’s going to be fun,” Shah said. “It’s also a good socializing event where you get to meet a lot of Indian families you don’t normally have a chance to talk with.
Apoorv Agarwal, a member of the Bollywood Dance Club and ISA freshman studying finance, is performing with the dance club on Saturday.
The group has been practicing for a little more than a month now, and although there were some last minute changes, everything has gone smoothly, Agarwal said.
“Our instructor has really worked hard to help us out, and we are looking forward to giving a great performance,” he said. “Dancing, is a fun in itself, and that is what I like the most about it because you don’t have to be perfect…just feel the rhythm and dance.
It helps share Indian culture when there is Indian food and when there are performances by university dancers, professional dancers and local children, Koshal said.
If You Go:
What: Indo-American Friendship Day Dinner
When: 5:00 p.m. Saturday
Where: Baker University Center Ballroom
Admission: $30 for adults, $20 for students, $10 for children under 10
@thisisjelli
ao007510@ohiou.edu
