India Week to raise awareness
Asha-UGA is working to bring attention to illiteracy in India by teaching students how to wear a sari with style, mix their own traditional Indian snacks and hit the dance floor like Bollywood’s finest.
“Most of the events during India Week are free and are just meant to raise awareness about Asha-UGA and what we are trying to do,” Asha-UGA treasurer Puja Chebrolu said.
“The only event that will cost anything is the lecture at the end of the week, and all of the money from that will go directly to our SSS project.”
ASHA-UGA INDIA WEEK
Monday: Indian dance lessons
Each hour, a different style – Folk, Bollywood and Bhangra – will be taught.
When: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Tate Center, dance rehearsal room 3
Tuesday: Indian game day.
An opportunity to play indoor and outdoor games
When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Myers Quad, Myers Programming Room
Wednesday: India Fair
Henna tattoos, Indian food samples and other elements of Indian culture will be available
When: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Tate Plaza
Thursday: Lecture: “India and Public Health”
Dr. Meera Narasimhan, professor of clinical neuropsychiatry, speaks.
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Paul Coverdell Center
Cost: $5 students, $10 others
According to Chebrolu, the “SSS” stands for Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha, a school for mentally handicapped children in Nagpur, Maharashtra India.
It is one of the many projects the national Asha for Education organization supports in order to reach their goal of 100 percent literacy in India by 2020. The organization helps provide education to India’s underprivileged.
Every year Asha-UGA holds fundraisers to help support and improve the school. As a result, it is better able to provide therapy and educational instruction to the 82 borderline to severely mentally handicapped children who attend.
“Last year we were able to raise about $4,000 to send to the school, so the money from the lecture will go toward our donation this year,” the microbiology major from Columbus said.
The lecture, according to Chebrolu, will be more educational and explain why it is so important that students learn more about India and its culture in today’s global economy.
“One thing that comes out of difficult economic times is global cooperation and an understanding that our actions don’t just affect us but have an impact on the entire world,” said Foram Asher, an Asha member from Dubai.
“Change in America is going to change India, and change in India will affect America.”
