In the Summer 2008 issue of Sudbury Living, I wrote about Project Kandwar. This is a foundation started by Sudbury's Narasim Katary to help people living in a poor village in India. A lunch fundraiser will be held Wednesday (June 24) for this good cause. The following is the news release announcing the fundraiser:

Sudbury, ON, June 22, 2009—Project Kandwar is pleased to announce “Maharaja’s Meal at Pauper’s Price”, a charity lunch organized in conjunction with the India-Canada Association and MIRARCO, who has chosen Project Kandwar as its charity of choice for 2009. The meal takes place at the Willet Green Miller Centre on Wednesday, June 24 from 11:30 to 1:30.

"It is gratifying to see MIRARCO stepping up to help the poorest of the poor in India,” said Mrs. Bela Ravi, of the India-Canada Association, Sudbury. “We are pleased and honoured to be partnering with MIRARCO in giving a hand up to the needy."

Dignitaries expected to attend include Mayor John Rodriguez, former Deputy Premier of Ontario, Floyd Laughren and city councillors Janet Gasparini and Ted Callaghan, among others.

Guests can choose from five different dishes from various regions of India prepared without excessive spiciness and with allergic sensibilities in mind. There will be a detailed menu available with information about the dish itself and the chef by whom it was prepared.

Members of the India Canada Association, Sudbury, are making the in-kind contribution by donating labour, skill, materials and management for all the main courses of the lunch. MIRARCO staff are also making an in-kind contribution by donating time and expertise to organize the event. These important contributions mean that the entire sum of money collected will be dedicated to Project Kandwar. Tickets are, unfortunately, sold out at this point.

For more information about Project Kandwar, please visit www.projectkandwar.org or contact Narasim Katary (see below).

Project Kandwar- Project Kandwar (PK) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development of poverty stricken villages into modern communities. Our organizational goal is to mobilize human, material and financial resources, both public and private, from Canada, the world, and India to help the villages of India lift themselves out of poverty. Development will be approached in a comprehensive, collaborative, and concentrated manner.

MIRARCO- Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation, founded in 1998, is a not-for-profit applied research and technical service company formed through collaboration between Laurentian University and the private and public sectors. MIRARCO is located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, and serves as an innovation bridge between researchers and industry. Visit www.mirarco.org for more information.

India-Canada Association-It is the goal of India Canada Association (ICA) to help foster a sense of togetherness and belonging through cultural exchange, encourage and promote local talent, help improve the welfare of our members, and assist in the settlement of newly arrived immigrants. To become a new member and obtain information about various programs contact Monica Gupta at pro@indiacanada.org.

Contact:: Narasim Katary, Project Kandwar E-mail: onevillage@projectkandwar.org,-673-2201
Web: www.projectkandwar.org

Vicki Gilhula is the managing editor of Sudbury Living magazine. The June 2009 issue is available on newsstands now.