More than 550 supporters and guests filled the hall at the Share & Care annual gala November 2, 2025, held at the Jo Ann Magistro Performing Arts Center (JMPAC) in East Brunswick, NJ. The theme of the Gala was “United in Purpose: Boundless in Impact.”
Sharad Shah, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Share and Care told Desi Talk, “What was great was that many of them who came are long-time supporters. The Gala raised $600,000.”
Chairman of Fund Raising & Gala Committee for the last 42 years, Dr. Manoj Desai, welcomed the gathering. Dr. Desai, was the driving force behind the cultural program, the main highlight of the evening, apart from other aspects of planning the annual gala. He worked with Kathak guru Archana Joglekar, actress, dancer, choreographer, to develop the 90-minute Women Empowerment segment, including the title, “Rainbow Colors of Women” a tribute to ‘Nari Shakti’ or Women’s Power. The performance stole the show as it told the story of women’s roles as mothers, sisters, daughters, partners, wives, and friends, accompanied by music genres ranging from classical to folk to Bollywood. At the end of the Kathak show, Joglekar was presented a bouquet by Saroj Desai.
Saumil Parikh, president of Share and Care, who oversees all the ongoing projects of of the non-profit, gave an account of the activities that the organization was engaged in. For example, $2.8 million has been invested in the Educate to Graduate scholarship program; establishing successful digital labs throughout India; $500,000 invested in healthcare to help more than 300,000 individuals over the last 4 years; and the Women’s Empowerment program. “We, at Share and Care, over more than 40 years, with over $84 million raised, are humble stewards of your generosity. We welcome you to join our cause and contribute to make a difference in someone’s life,” Saumil Parikh said.
Amar Shah, chairman of the Disaster Committee, helped Dr. Desai in stage management, food, and other aspects of planning.
The honorees who were recognized included Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold and Dr. Sudha Parikh; And Dr. Bharat Mody and Dr. Bharati Mody; as well as Jaydev and Purnima Patel.
“It has been a privilege and honor to join the Share and Care Foundation and work with the Share and Care Foundation since its inception for 42 years. It is a privilege to be a Grand Sponsor of this organization for the last 43 years,” said Dr. Parikh in his speech.
He emphasized that people successful in their fields must remember those who helped them get where they are today, and must help others the same way. “Philanthropy is the most important way to do this. And education is the most important philanthropy by which – when you lift a student, you lift a family and a country.” He urged donors to open their hearts and wallets to give to Share and Care. Dr. Sudhir and Sudha Parikh were presented flowers and a plaque.
Dr. Bharat Mody and Bharati Mody, both doctors by profession, were also recognized the same way. “Dr. Mody’s goal has been to always help organizations in India and US,” Dr. Desai said introducing them. As part of Share and Care, Mody has helped build 7 digital centers.
Among the Platinum Sponsors were a young couple, Tanvi and Chintan Parikh, who gave $25,000 for Share and Care projects. The successful business couple are founders of the digital consultancy company, PRI, later named Proven.
The main architect of the Women’s Empowerment program, which was the highlight of the Annual Gala, is Dr. Ketki Shah assisted by Dr. Sudha Parikh, organizers told Desi Talk, “Dr. Sudha Parikh has been the “quiet” person working with Ketki to create the Women’s Empowerment program,” Sharad Shah told Desi Talk. At the Gala, their hard work was presented in a video introduced by Dr. Sindhu Mittadoddi, co-chair of Share and Care’s Women’s Empowerment initiative.
Sharad Shah, chair of the Board of Trustees, who was responsible for technical support including video production, in his speech, dwelt on how committed Share and Care is to its beneficiaries and helps them get trained and rise to become self-supporting.
Organizers also honored the artists who performed at the event in a special ceremony where volunteers presented a rose to each of the young artistes.
The program ended with a standing ovation from supporters and donors. Jayu Parikh, trustee of Share and Care, gave the vote of thanks.
Share and Care’s mission “is to create a world that gives women and youth in India the opportunity to rise out of poverty and improve their quality of life in an ever-changing world of new and improved technologies and innovation,” the organization says in its publicity materials.
(This article was updated November 5, 2025)
