Galas and Cultural Felicitation Make the Headlines
Society with Ruchi
From a reluctant arranged marriage to the position of President of UH! Saturday evening India House Gala keynote speaker Dr Renu Khator captivated the audience with her inspiring life story. She wowed the gathered sharing her arranged marriage story where she was married when eighteen but that did not stop her from dreaming and pursuing higher education. Dr. Khator also shared parenting tips and how she made her daughters clean up their rooms while she had to juggle education, work and home.
Saturday March 12, India House hosted their Annual Gala at the Intercontinental Hotel with about five hundred plus attendees. The celebrity list included Mayor of Houston Annise Parker, Gwen and Judge Ed Emmitt, Congressman Al Green, Dr. Renu and Suresh Khator, Jugal and Raj Malani. The gala treated the guests with scrumptious Indian cuisine and dance performances. The Mayor in her speech shared that India House was a place of pride for the community at large. The evening also honored Houston businessman Rick Pal as he received the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.
Spotted dressed fashionably Sangeeta Pasrija in a traditional banarsi light blue saree, Tanya Bhadra Pal in green, Alka Verma Raj flaunted a sexy look with a black saree and hot pink strappy blouse. Renu Khator stood tall in a bollywood style blue saree with matching bangles and danced the night away.
Saree Soiree for Sangeet Natak Akademi Recipient: Rathna Kumar
What a beautiful cultural sight it was last Sunday evening at the Anjali Dance School in Sugarland, Texas as several dignitaries gathered to celebrate, as renowned Houston based dancer Rathna Kumar was the first Non Resident Indian to receive this prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi 2010 Award for Kuchipudi.
Love was in the air! Everyone present there had something sweet to share about Rathnadi, as she is fondly called. The weather outside might have been overcast but Anjali was bustling with love and vibrant colorful sarees, adorned by women, made the party extra special. Renu Kathor apologized for her western look, however she looked adorable in her Audrey Hepburn style black capri style trousers, white quarter sleeved blouse and white pumps.
Some called Rathna Kumar the ‘Hema Malini of Houston’ while Renu Kathor was mesmerized by her smile in her evergreen south-indian silk saree. The Mayor of Sugarland proclaimed March 13, 2011 as ‘Rathna Kumar Day’.
Amongst the 150 plus guests were Sonal Bhuchar, Nat and Leela Krishnamurty, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Martha Blackwelder, Sheela Rao, Neeta Sane, Consul General of India Sanjeev Arora with wife Chayya, Council Member of Sugarland Thomas and Sara Abraham, Pradeep and Geeta Anand and many other distinguished guests.
The evening was all about Rathna Kumar but what sets her apart is that she made everyone feel special. A proud moment for Indians living abroad.
Overall the weekend was a series of inspirational celebrity charged events with one common message. Follow your dreams!
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