Special Edition 'Friends and Family' early Winter News from The Giving Back Foundation
The Giving Back Foundation shares with Whom You Know:
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our dear friends and supporters. Please enjoy this special newsletter as I have added some 'family and friends news' in the spirit of the season which I hope you will all celebrate.
Before we delve into the news, I would like to pause for a moment to remember three exceptional gentlemen who passed away this week.
Mr. Murli Deora of Mumbai, India: Murli's accomplishments were many, including his last portfolio as Oil and Gas Minister of India, but he was a mentor to many and was a brilliant, optimistic man. I was so fond of dear Murli. His moto was, "If you think it, you can do it." Hema, Milind and Mukul, you are in our thoughts.
Michael Leonard Senior of Dublin, Ireland: Michael was my uncle and he the kindest and most caring family man. He was encouraging to all and had time for everyone and everything.
Mr. Hari Marnick of Delhi, India: Hari was ahead of his time, always looking at an India that could be. Everyone in the Rana family and the Mamick family and beyond always asked for his advice. He was organized and calm in his thinking and generous with his time. His advice was there for the asking.
All three will be greatly missed. Please say a small prayer for these super fine human beings when you read this.
We hope that because of our good works many more people will have many more reasons to be thankful this year! We are deeply grateful to all of you who have helped The Giving Back Foundation on its global mission of education and philanthropy.
Thanking you,
Meera Gandhi, CEO and Founder
and the Foundation Team:
Ellen Sweeney, Jeffrey Fass, Rebecca Stewart and Alex CorreaHere are some activities of note with some of our charitable partners:
THE BRITISH RED CROSS
The Giving Back Foundation was delighted to support the British Red Cross Tiffany Circle's Second Anniversary, an event hosted by Samantha Cameron, wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron, at Number 10 Downing Street, London on October 7th.
The Tiffany Circle is a British Red Cross all-female fundraising network, formed in 2012, which is committed to using their skills and enthusiasm to make a lasting difference in the lives of people in crisis, in particular women and children. They also have recently become involved with such diverse activities as helping communities severely affected by HIV in South Africa, to working with young people affected by the war in Sierre Leone.
Left to right: Samantha Cameron, Meera Gandhi
WATERKEEPER ALLIANCE BENEFIT/ROBERT F. KENNEDY CENTER
Meera Gandhi, CEO and Founder of The Giving Back Foundation, participated on behalf of the Foundation in Bobby Kennedy Jr.'s annual The Art of Falconry event in upstate New York. Bobby is the President of the Waterkeeper Alliance, a charitable partner of The Giving Back Foundation. Falconry is the art of hunting game with a bird of prey, usually a hawk or a falcon. Bobby's falconry events involve the basics of this 8,000 year old sport, and benefit the Waterkeeper Alliance, whose goal is to champion clean water and strong communities.
Dear Kerry Kennedy hosted a wonderful winter buffet at her home for all the participants. Kerry Kennedy, president of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, will host the Ripple of Hope Awards Dinner on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at The New York Hilton.
Bobby Kennedy, Jr., Meera Gandhi and Owl
Bobby Kennedy, Jr. and falcon
Kerry Kennedy, Meera Gandhi and Owl
STING DEBUTS "THE LAST SHIP"
Composer, singer, author and producer Sting presented his new Broadway Show "The Last Ship" on October 28supported by The Giving Back Foundation. "The Last Ship" is based on Sting's childhood in a shipbuilding town in northeastern England. The show marks Sting's debut as a Broadway composer.
The New York Times reported very exciting news that Sting himself is going to step into a role in the $15 million Broadway show for which he's supplied the score, The Last Ship. "I've been working on this show for five years and been at every rehearsal, every performance" the musician, 63, told The New York Times on Sunday, adding "I know all the lines and lyrics after all these years," . Sting steps into the show Dec. 9 and is scheduled to remain until Jan. 10. Current cast member, British singer-actor Jimmy Nail, told The Times that he has "happily" given Sting his blessing to assume his role. Please do buy your tickets to this unique opportunity to see Sting live on Broadway!
Kabir Gandhi, Meera Gandhi and Sting
Trudie Styler and Meera Gandhi
HARROW SCHOOL LONG DUCKER RUN CHARITY EVENT - Nov 16th 2014 London
From Dr. Wendelken's Bradby's note Harrow school
Last Sunday's Long Ducker 10 and 20 mile run by the Harrow School boys raised a considerable amount of money for this year’s charity "Battle Back." The run proved very successful with almost all boys competing in some way or another. Those who were off eccer helped with marshalling.
"The boys' behaviour was impeccable and the atmosphere was terrific. Peter Chadwick, Ollie Dean, Thomas Johnson-Watts, George McDonald, Stuart Edmonds and Chris Playford ran the 20 miles; David Leonard was placed fourth in the whole School for his ten mile run, and Louis Clarke, one of our Shells, was placed tenth overall for his ten mile run. Many thanks to all of you who have already donated, or who took part with such fortitude on the day!"
TeamBradbys
Harrow School Contio Latina Nov 15th 2014 - London
This being the special Family and Friends Thanksgiving issue, I would like to congratulate Kabir Gandhi (our son) for a splendid delivery of the Contio Latina at school. It was very well researched and the Latin delivery was excellent. A proud moment for all. Special thanks to Dr John Roberts - Latin Department.
Kabir Gandhi
BRADY CENTRE AWARDS EVENT NYC
We congratulate friend and awardee Susan Smith Ellis for receiving the Brady Centre award on Oct 22nd 2014. The Brady Bill protects against gun violence by advocating gun control and distribution. A really well done, provocative and touching evening. The Children's Choir closed the evening with the hit song "Happy" which left everyone walking out smiling inspite of the gravitas of the evening. Meera was on hand to support Susan on behalf of The Giving Back Foundation.
NANDAN NILEKANI LECTURE AT THE HARVARD SOUTH ASIA INSTITUTE
On November 3, 2014, Meera Gandhi joined the Harvard South Asia Institute (SAI) for its Annual Harish C. Mahindra Lecture with Nandan Nilekani, former Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), titled 'Unique Biometric ID: Creating a Large Scale Digital Ecosystem Using the Aadhaar Experience.'
In his lecture at Harvard, Nilekani discussed the personal and national benefits of Aadhaar, which he designed and implemented during his tenure as chairman of UIDAI. Aaadhaar is a national biometric identification project wherein each Indian is issued a twelve-digit number that is unique to them, which he referred to as the "world’s largest social project." His arguments in favor of the initiative gave the audience fascinating insight into the creation and structure of the world’s largest national identification system.
Meera Gandhi is a member of the South Asia Institute's Advisory Council, a team of distinguished volunteer leaders from around the world who provide strategic counsel and support to the Institute. The Harvard University South Asia Institute engages faculty and students through interdisciplinary programs to advance and deepen the teaching and research on global issues relevant to South Asia.
Nandan Nilekani
EMPOWERED BY YOU FOUNDATION AND THE GIVING BACK FOUNDATION - NYC Nov 12th
Renata Mutis Black and Calypso NYC is congratulated for the Nov 12th launch of for profit clothing line that donates 20 per cent to charity annually. MISSION: Redirect power of lingerie to the empowerment of women. Brava Renata on behalf of the Giving back Foundation!
SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES
On October 8th, 2014, we wished Rajiv Agarwal of the New Delhi, India branch of The Giving Back Foundation a very Happy Birthday. Rajiv's commitment, dedication and enthusiasm for "giving back" has made him an invaluable and cherished member of The Giving Back Team. Happy Birthday Rajiv and may you celebrate many more.
Please mark the date on your calendars for the 2015 Giving Back Foundation Gala:
