Florida News
Children Across Borders impacts children’s lives in the USA and India – A student’s perspective
Karissa Inuganti, in white shirt and green shawl,
taught English at Neelbagh School.
Children Across Borders (CAB), is a 501c(3) non-profit organization founded by Vivek and Sharmila Seth, of Tampa, that provides financial and non-financial assistance to grass-roots organizations primarily in the areas of housing, health, education and wellness.
To further their mission to help underprivileged kids in the local community and India, a college student from the USA is placed every summer, to teach/volunteer at one of their many sponsored organizations in India. This past summer, Karissa Inuganti, a University of Oregon student, spent a month at Neelbagh School in Rayalpad, Karnataka, a few hours from Bangalore. The school has about 400 students, with 100 of them living on the campus (mostly children of migrant workers) and 300 from the surrounding villages. Almost all of the students’ parents are illiterate.
Karissa taught English to grades 7th-10th. She recollects, “The first couple days at Neelbagh School were very nice! Even though I was an outsider, all the children and staff welcomed me into their school with open arms.” Karissa taught spelling, grammar and reading. She even accompanied the children to their athletic sports competitions. The experience was hands-on and a lot of fun.
By funding and sustaining these amazing organizations, CAB gives children an opportunity to develop into the next generation of leaders, thinkers and entrepreneurs. It allows students like Karissa an opportunity to make a difference in the world, and set an example for others.
CAB’s biennial black-tie fundraiser Bollywood Nights will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Tampa Museum of Art, on Saturday. The Bollywood-themed event will feature Indian food, fusion DJ music and dancing, one-of-a-kind live auction items, and a drawing. Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi, Goodwill Ambassador for Children Across Borders, and his wife, Priyanka, will attend the black-tie/ethic formal event as VIP guests. Premier Hindi a cappella group Penn Masala will provide entertainment. Reception and cocktail hour for VIP guests starts at 6 p.m. and the party begins at 7 p.m. A Patron Cricket Party will be hosted on Saturday, Feb. 7, for Sponsors of Bollywood Nights for an afternoon of family fun.
For tickets to these events and more information on CAB, visit www.childrenacrossborders.org or email Sharmila Seth at [email protected]
Short Film Screened in Tampa
A scene from “The Bench.”
The makers of the short film "The Bench" had a screening of the film at 4D studios in Tampa in January for the cast, crew and invited guests. Hemant Pandya and Anjani Pandey are the producers and directors. Featuring actors from the Tampa bay area, the film was shot at Coachman Park in Clearwater and is being submitted for entry to various film festivals.
Filmmakers Hemant Pandya, left, and Anjani Pandey.
