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This is an archive article published on November 19, 2008

Cause 038; Event

Money and Message. It8217;s a foolproof plan, one that makes both the heart and head happy.

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It8217;s entertainment with an intention, be it for awareness or raising funds 038; the city is seeing some absorbing experiences

Money and Message. It8217;s a foolproof plan, one that makes both the heart and head happy. Be it art, theatre, music, fashion8230;there8217;s value being attached to occasions, one that helps to make people aware about causes that need support, in a way that8217;s subtle, yet effective. Blood donation, domestic violence, animal welfare, funds for children8217;s education and health, finances for cancer patients, the reasons are many.

An effective, touching and successful idea was that of the People For Animals, which recently organized Neelam Man Singh Chaudhary8217;s latest play, The Suit, which was a production par excellence and had audiences thronging to Rock Garden for all the five shows. Sensitive, superlative, the director, actors, musicians8230;were all in sync. Not only did the play had theatre lovers spell-bound, for PFA it meant getting their message across to people in a creative ambience. 8220;Warmth, compassion and a little thought for animals is all that we are looking for and of course, extending our activities in the city, especially our proposed animal hospital and we got such a stupendous response, thanks to all our sponsors and people of the city,8217;8217; says Payal Sodhi. The lady reasons that all the events they have organized previously too, have had superb success rates, for what they plan is always commercially viable and has value for everyone. 8220;You need that for sponsorships and to make PFA a brand. It8217;s a two-way process,8217;8217; Payal says their gestures of giving blue ribbons to people after the show, made many realize that this was the colour for animal welfare, they treating people to eggless cakes on Children8217;s Day drove home the point of vegetarianism, promoting their greeting cards for fund-raising, giving small pots filled with organic manure8230;it was all meticulously worked out. 8220;As a result, we have an order of 550 kgs of organic manure, queries regarding cards and animals and we are overwhelmed,8217;8217; smiles Payal.

It8217;s all about adding feeling to value, says Atul Khanna of the Durga Das Foundation. The various events that are organized by the Foundation have a cause, be it plays or concerts. 8220;We did an event for WWF and in the recent ones, for instance the Jagjit Singh night, whatever revenue generation is done is pumped into our umpteen social projects involving slum children,8217;8217; adds Khanna.

The members of Chandigarh Adventures, Treks and Sports CATS have an action-packed life, be it their biking trips, treks, adventure holidays8230;Besides all the fun, their social responsibility quotient is also high. 8220;Yes, all our events pack in fun and some serious work. Like making people aware of the importance of blood donation, talking about domestic violence, which is not only physical, but emotional as well, welfare of the girl child8230;we do our bit without making it seem like a task,8217;8217; smiles Supreet, busy with the preparation of the forthcoming blood donation camp.

The key to a successful event, be it creating awareness or generating funds, pronounces Amrit Pal Singh, Director Rotary Club, Chandigarh is sponsorships. 8220;The main expenses are met by sponsors and not by selling tickets,8217;8217; Amrit is totally involved with the Rotary Heartline project, which supports treatment of poor children suffering from congenital heart disease, with assistance from PGI and Fortis. 8220;We are thorough professionals and honesty is our USP, so we really have been able to touch many hearts by organizing 8216;rocking8217; concerts by Jal from Pakistan, Parikrama, Indian Ocean, Aryans, with sponsorships from Spice,8217;8217; Amrit says selling space, souvenirs et al adds to the kitty. 8220;The cause is supported and we have the attention and goodwill of many,8217;8217; sums up Amrit. Let the good times roll.

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

 

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