Victoria Theater in New Jersey rang out with the soulful and powerful raga of Abby V, an award-winning singer and master of Eastern and Western fusion as he walked down the stairs in a vast hall filled with well-wishers of the World Food Movement, Akshaya Patra, as well as ISKCON, as they launched the program to feed those facing food insecurity in the tri-state area.
The musical fundraiser “Melody with a Mission” was hosted at NJPAC’s theater. NJPAC, a nonprofit, seeks to represent the diverse arts and cultural communities of New Jersey.
Vocalist Abby V of Toronto, a JUNO Award nominee for Best Global Album (2025), and winner of Astro International Superstar reality singing competition, was the highlight of the evening. Money raised from the tickets and other donations, including a $36,000 check from Persistent Foundation, presented at the event by Shimona Chadha, will go to the cause of food insecurity.
The evening was also a meet & greet with Chanchalapathi Dasa, co-founder and vice chairman of World Food Movement, leader of the Akshaya Patra Foundation, and co-mentor and vice chairman of the Global Hare Krishna Movement, Bangalore.
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WFM strives to ensure easy access to nutritious food for people in need, with a vision that no one should go hungry. It is inspired in this endeavor by The Akshaya Patra Foundation, the world’s largest non-profit school lunch program, to fulfill food and nutrition security needs in America.
Among the high-profile guests present was India’s Consul General in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media/ITV Gold, as well as New Jersey State Assemblyman from the 18th District Sterley Stanley, and Dr. Patricia Ramsey, President of Medgar Evers College.
A lamplighting ceremony was conducted by Chanchalapathi Dasa, CG Pradhan, Dr. Ramsey and Assemblyman Stanley. The event was emceed by award-winning radio and TV presenter Anushka Arora.
Speaking at the event, Naveena Neerada Dasa of ISKCON noted how a significant section of people in the US were food-insecure. He said WFM is aiming to serve one million meals in US by 2030. “We serve with one pledge – every meal would be delivered with respect, dignity, and care, with uncompromising quality,” he said.
CG Pradhan was honored with a silk scarf as was Assemblyman Stanley and Ramsey. A galaxy of leaders from the business, media, and various community organizations of Indian Americans attended the event.
Dr. Ramsey spoke of how people do not realize that college students also experience food insecurity. In NYC, those attending Medgar Evers have a median income below $19,000 a year. She recalled how she herself had experienced food insecurity as a student when she had only $5 in her pocket and the prospect of going hungry, until she asked for help from another student.
Consul General Pradhan spoke of his observations over the last year and a half, and of his association with the World Food Movement. He understood the feeling of hunger, he said, noting how it exists in India and Africa where he served before coming to America. Pradhan also spoke about the Indian American community, its well-to-do members who have been active and contributed to the nation, and who would be part of the initiative.
Chanchalapathi Dasa was introduced by emcee Anushka Arora, who described his lifelong work for humanity.
“This is a historic honor and a venerable moment, to announce formally the feeding program,” in New York and New Jersey, Chanchalapathi Dasa said, describing it as a simple initiative. “If a nourishing meal enables a student on a college campus to focus on academics and save time from going for a job, we consider our humble effort to be successful.”
An ancient Indian thought and value is the impetus of this initiative – he said reciting the Sanskrit saying, Vasudhaiva Kutubakam – All the world is my/one family. “The philosophy of connectedness speaks to shared responsibility of all human beings. It is a central tenet and principle that aims to foster harmony and universal well being,” he added. “We wish to draw from the 25 years of experience of Akshaya Patra, a goal promoted in US since the 1960s by ISKCON founder, Srila Prabhupada. “We wish to work with university leaders, businesses, to make this program a success. We need your support to build and scale this movement … to serve the people of this nation. Please join us to ensure no one is hungry,” Chanchalapathi Dasa said.
As he walked onto the massive stage where his orchestra was already settled, Abby V shouted, “New Jersey, how are you doing,” and added he was very happy to be there. He immediately engaged the audience to sing with him the Ganapati Abhang, starting with “Ganapati Bappa Morya. Mangala Murti Morya,” which reverberated from the crowd gathered to enjoy his music.
ITV Gold interviewed several members in the audience. Kenny Desai, former President of the Federation of Indian Associations said no value could be put on helping those in need of food.
Dr. Parikh told ITV Gold, “The World Food Movement is a great sister of Akshaya Patra, a great initiative to help poor, needy people and families. This is the only way to uplift people from poverty and help their kids achieve their educational goals.” He congratulated ISKCON and its executive team, for the new initiative.” You can always count on the support of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold in North America, and me personally.”
Several others including businessman Mickey Chopra, Haresh and Hema Bhatt of the Bhatt Foundation, Dr. Rachana Kulkarni, co-chair of Akshaya Patra USA, and nutritionist Indu Jaiswal, chairperson of Indo American Forum.