A decade of Social Impact: The Desai Foundation to celebrate 10th Annual Lotus Festival in Boston on Sep 21st

On September 21, 2024, the Desai Foundation will celebrate a milestone—ten years of its signature event, the Lotus Festival. This fundraiser, hosted at Boston's Omni Hotel, marks a decade of commitment to empowering women and children through health, livelihood, and menstrual equity programs in both India and the United States. Over the years, the Desai Foundation has become a beacon of hope and progress for underprivileged communities, impacting nearly nine million lives.

The Desai Foundation, co-founded by Samir A. Desai and Nilima Desai, began its journey in 1997, with a simple yet profound mission: to give back to the communities that shaped them. 

Initially focused on the Metro Boston and Harlem, NY areas, as well as rural Gujarat in India, the foundation's work has since expanded across eight Indian states, reaching over 3,500 villages with more than 30 impactful programs. From vocational skills training for women to educational support and mentoring programs for children, the organization fosters self-reliance and cultivates dignity.

The annual Lotus Festival serves as more than just a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of the foundation’s work and an opportunity for attendees to immerse themselves in its community-driven programs. Megha Desai, the foundation's president, emphasized the unique, hands-on experience this year’s event will offer. "We are literally bringing our life to work," she said. "You can physically interact with our programming, connecting with the people we serve, and truly feel the impact your support makes."

The event will feature notable speakers from India, including Manoj Panda, Head of Development at the Desai Foundation in India, and Yati Desai, the force behind the foundation’s most popular program, Asani, which provides menstrual health education and products. One of the highlights of the evening will be a keynote speech from Neha Desai Shah, co-founder and co-president of GEP, a pioneering AI-powered procurement and supply chain transformation company. Her work in both business and philanthropy exemplifies the values of the Desai Foundation, inspiring the next generation to stay connected to their roots while contributing to global progress.

The Lotus Festival promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with insightful discussions, a special performance by Broadway star Ari Afsar, and an auction featuring exciting items. Reena Roy of ABC News will serve as host, bringing her own energy and experience to the event. Past venues for the festival have included an airplane hangar and Gillette Stadium, and this year's Boston location promises to uphold that tradition of hosting in memorable spaces.

A glimpse at previous Lotus Festival

The Desai Foundation’s success has been made possible thanks to the support of the Boston community. "In 2014, we were in one state, serving 250 villages. Today, we’re in eight states and have reached over 3,500 villages. That growth wouldn’t have been possible without this community," said Megha Desai.

To learn more about the Desai Foundation and its mission, click here.

To purchase tickets for the 10th Annual Lotus Festival, click here.