Our Bureau
Hillsborough, NJ
SKN Foundation will be hosting its Annual HOPE Gala 2024 emphasising the criticality of bringing food From Farm to Table and raise funds for the SKN Foundation Center for Diabetes and Heart Health, at Princeton Farms and Preserves, Skillman NJ on Saturday, September 21, 2024, starting at 5:00 PM.
SKN HOPE Gala 2024 will feature the culinary mastery of special guest Chef Rakesh Raghunathan as he takes us through an aesthetic and multi- sensory experience with farm fresh traditions and health conscious food choices. A musical evening featuring an enchanting performance by the legendary Ghazal Maestro Kamran Mehdi Hassan, the son of late legendary Pakistani ghazal singer Mehdi Hassan, will create an ambience of peaceful solace.
In the United States, South Asians are among the largest and fastest-growing minority subgroups with many South Asians experiencing significant disparities in diabetes and cardiovascular outcomes due to increased risk, limited and late diagnosis, and poor access to culturally appropriate health services. One out of five South Asian community members will develop diabetes with half at risk of being under or undiagnosed in their lifetime. Cardiovascular disease. the most common complication of diabetes in South Asians occurs at a younger age and with more severe effects compared to the general population. The SKN South Asian Center for Diabetes and Heart Health is helping to raise awareness and provide navigation to people on how to better manage their health in response to these health concerns. Community members at high risk receive screenings, education, expert advice, and ongoing follow-up.
“The SKN Center for Diabetes & Heart Health is designed to enhance culturally appropriate care to South Asians in New Jersey,” says SKN founding director Dr. Naveen Mehrotra.
The center’s Director and a key advisor to SKN Foundation, Dr. Meena Murthy notes: “South Asians residing in the US have the highest burden of diabetes with the prevalence reaching up to 25% in this population, the highest of any ethnic group in USA.”
Special Celebrity Guest and food raconteur, Rakesh Raghunathan, a South Indian culinary ambassador will bring a unique perspective and experience of South Indian cuisine and deep insight into socio-cultural practices. With the theme at the event of foods from Farm to Table as it relates to the lifestyles of the present day family, the concept of healthy eating will be brought live. Rakesh is credited with hosting award-winning shows on national television channels, including Highway Dreams and 100% South Indian (Zee Zest), Super Samayal (Sun TV), Dakshin Diaries (Living Foodz), and Sutralam Suvaikalam (News7 Tamil). Rakesh is currently featured on the esteemed panel of judges in MasterChef India, Tamil.
Kamran Mehdi Hasan will enthrall the audience with his voice and take the audience down memory lane with popular ghazal music in the voice of his father, the legendary ghazal singer, “Ustaad Mehdi Hassan”. Kamran, a multi-talented music artist, renowned for his versatility as a Music Composer/Director, Music Arranger, and Singer belongs to the seventeenth generation of musicians in his family. He has delivered solo performances worldwide and received acclaim for his repertoire and singing style, which encompasses Ghazal (in Classical Indian style) and popular Pakistani/Indian film songs. He has released several successful albums, including Aaghaz, Meri Aawaaz, The Legend Lives on Kamran Hasan, and Bolti Aankhon Ke Naam with the esteemed Indian music company SaReGaMa, the soul of India.
SKN Foundation is a non-profit organization under Section 501(C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. “Shri Krishna Nidhi (SKN) mission is to promote total wellness of the person and community through education. This mission is accomplished through coordinating volunteer activities, raising funds to provide health related educational resources, and working with other organizations focused on the community. For more information about SKN, visit its website.
