SKN Foundation to host annual gala in New Jersey

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The 2019 SKN Hope Gala will be held at the Imperia, in Somerset, NJ on Sunday, September 22.

Shri Krishna Nidhi (SKN) Foundation will highlight New Jersey’s First ever South Asian Institute to address the Diabetes Epidemic. Special Guests for the evening will include celebrity host and comedian Rajiv Satyal, singer Avanti Nagral, and fashion designer Joy Mitra.

The gala will put focus on two unique programs benefiting the community in different but valuable ways, according to a press release.

Through SCOPE, SKN is hoping to expand its current outreach and support to include a larger group of South Asian families of children with special needs while reducing the feeling of isolation.

SKN Foundation Founder and Trustee Naveen Mehrotra, MD, MPH, a clinical assistant professor at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, says inclusion of special needs children is an invaluable key to the success of these children.

The second area that will benefit from the funds raised is the South Asian Diabetes Center, a comprehensive prevention program with academic, clinical and community support. The SKN Foundation and the Saint Peter’s Healthcare System have partnered to execute this program.

The program develops awareness and outreach programs on various chronic illnesses, beginning with a diabetes risk assessment in the South Asian community; facilitates access to early detection, self-management and care programs at the South Asian Institute at Saint Peter’s.

“The SKN Diabetes Center is designed to enhance culturally appropriate care to South Asians in New Jersey,” said Dr. Naveen Mehrotra, in a statement, adding, “which is an ongoing need within this community. Disease among South Asians is greatly influenced by genetics and cultural beliefs, each of which can be addressed to positively affect health outcomes through research, education and promotion of equitable patient care.”

The center’s Director and a key advisor to SKN Foundation, Dr. Meena Murthy notes: “South Asians residing in the US have the highest burden of diabetes with the prevalence reaching up to 25% in this population, the highest of any ethnic group in USA. A silent killer, diabetes leads to premature disability and death.”

“While the purpose of the evening is significant and very meaningful, we want to make sure it is a fun and memorable evening for the attendees,” says Sonalika Ahuja, who is orchestrating the event.

“I see my own betterment in the process of helping others. I am gaining more than what I am giving,” says Sunil Bagaria, President of GDB International and Trustee of SKN Foundation.  Sunil along with his brother Sanjeev Bagaria, CEO of GDB and trustee of SKN, and the entire team of GDB International have been providing steadfast support to the cause, said the release.

Los Angeles-based comedian and host Rajiv Satyal will emcee the evening. His TV-clean act has made him one of the most versatile comedians working today. While Satyal will regale the audience, singer Avanti Nagral will weave her musical magic for the evening. She has a background in Indian classical, Broadway, church/gospel, and devotional music. She is the first in the world to pursue a dual degree at both Harvard University and Berklee College of Music. A youth icon, symbol for powerful women, and a veteran live performer, Nagral has performed at venues across India, the United States, and Southeast Asia, and captures the hearts of her audiences wherever she goes.

A special fashion show by Joy Mitra, a renowned fashion designer from India will put the spotlight on the amazing special children and their dads. Mitra graduated in Fashion Design from NIFT Kolkata in 2000, and has worked with worked with designers Ritu Beri and now hugely successful Bollywood costume designer, Aki Narula.

SKN Foundation is a non-profit organization under Section 501(C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. Shri Krishna Nidhi’s (SKN) mission is to promote total wellness of the person and community through education. This mission is accomplished through coordinating volunteer activities, raising funds to provide health related educational resources, and working with other organizations focused on the community.