IDF USA’s annual charity event / Handout

IDF USA’s annual charity event in the Chicago area brought together diplomats, elected leaders, philanthropists, business leaders, medical professionals and social impact advocates to discuss projects in India and Uganda and future cross-border partnerships.

Held at the Fairfield by Marriott in Schaumburg, the event focused on education, women’s dignity, nutrition, livelihoods and grassroots development, while positioning the organization’s work around international collaboration and community-based impact.

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Somnath Ghosh, Consul General of India, and Sarah Achieng Opendi, Member of Parliament, Uganda, attended as chief guests. Jayakumar Nair, Delhi State co-convener of the BJP South Indian Cell, attended as a special invitee. 

Glimpses of the event / Handout

Also present were Mafat Patel, co-founder of Patel Brothers, and oncologist Bharat H. Barai, along with several community leaders.

A major focus of the evening was IDF USA’s collaboration with CET Foundation on projects in India, alongside emerging plans for Uganda. Organizers said the discussions highlighted how partnerships rooted in accountability, sustainability and practical implementation can support scalable social development.

During the event, Anjali Mohanty reflected on the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) at the United Nations, where IDF USA and CET Foundation hosted a parallel event on “Women and Green Jobs.” She said the discussion centered on women’s empowerment, sustainability and the need to connect environmental goals with economic opportunity.

According to the organizers, speakers at that UN event discussed women’s leadership, agriculture, conservation, STEM education, water sustainability and the role of schools in advancing environmental awareness. The event also stressed upcycling, green finance for startups and introducing green curriculum in schools and colleges.

A key message highlighted during the evening was: “We don’t have to find sustainable solutions; sustainability is the only solution.”

Queenie Mendonca also spoke about the IDF USA team’s meeting at Uganda House in New York, where members engaged with Ugandan policymakers and representatives. She said the meeting reflected recognition of the work already undertaken by the organization in Uganda.

According to the organization, that work includes three solar-powered borewells, pilot funding for women-led entrepreneurship, support for classrooms and toilets, and the distribution of shoes to schoolchildren. Mendonca said those initiatives were aimed at addressing needs tied to clean water, education, health and dignity.

She also outlined a three-part agenda for future collaboration in Uganda: a pilot sanitary pad manufacturing plant using banana fiber, a pilot mid-day meal initiative based on India’s school nutrition model, and broader economic development efforts that include more inclusive digital systems.

The evening also featured remarks from Cecil Joseph, founder and chief executive officer of IDF USA, who reiterated the organization’s focus on service, partnerships and measurable impact. Organizers also acknowledged the contributions of the group’s board and executive members in carrying out the event.

Representatives of CompassionShip Edu-Tech Foundation, including Sana Rupani and Aunali Rupani, also presented collaborative initiatives undertaken with IDF USA. These included Project Compassion Ship, which supports 25 MBBS students from JJ Hospital in Mumbai, along with MAA Container Kitchen, Project FemCare, Ignite STEM Passion, and Project Aashayein.

A separate segment of the program recognized community contributors and student innovators under the theme “Honoring Trend Setters in Our Community.” Those recognized included Anu Malhotra, Sunil Shah, Harish Kolasani, Sanjeev Palaniswami, and members of a student robotics team.

In her remarks, Opendi welcomed the proposed Uganda-focused projects and encouraged business leaders and entrepreneurs to consider Uganda as a destination for both investment and tourism. The event concluded with an emphasis on expanding partnerships across India, Uganda and the United States.

Discover more at New India Abroad.