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SVM raises $4 million for Indian rural communities in inaugural annual gala
The keynote address was delivered by Manu Shah, the founder of MSI and recipient of Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year award.
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Staff Reporter - Fri, 05, Jun 2026
- 22:56 EDT
- 39
Organizers and attendees of the SVM gala posing for a photograph / SVM
The Smart Village Movement (SVM) hosted its first ever Annual Gala on May 31, in California, bringing together philanthropists, business leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, and community advocates committed to transforming rural communities across India and raising $4 million.
Hosted in alliance with Berkeley Haas in Orange city, the evening stood as a celebration of SVM's impact over the past nine years, highlighting initiatives that have positively affected more than 1.6 million lives, reached over 1,200 villages, created more than 1,100 employment opportunities, and supported 35 active projects across 250 locations.
The gala was attended by the Consul General of India in Los Angeles, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, who was recognized by SVM for his leadership in diplomacy and community engagement.
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Guests also heard from SVM leadership, including Dr. Anil Shah, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Smart Village Movement (SVM), who is a renowned interventional cardiologist, philanthropist, and social entrepreneur dedicated to transforming rural communities through sustainable development and innovation.
As part of the celebrations, Dr. Shah was recognized for his extraordinary vision, dedication, and decades of service to rural communities.
Anna Fitter, Executive Director of SVM, introduced the organization's programs and vision. In her address, she said, "When you sit with a farmer, a mother seeking healthcare, or a child using a computer for the first time, you stop talking about helping people and start talking about building with them. That is the SVM way—sustainable development rooted in dignity, partnership, and lasting change."
The keynote address was delivered by Manu Shah, the founder of MSI and recipient of Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year award.
In his keynote address, he spotlighted his vision for rural development, philanthropy, and compassionate enterprise, demonstrating how business leaders can create lasting change through purpose, empathy, and service.
SVM highlighted its STEM Innovation Labs in Gujarat and Meghalaya that are expanding access to science and technology education for rural students, while also showcasing healthcare initiatives including an affordable diabetes-monitoring device being developed with Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.
The organization also presented plans for the Vatrak Cardiac, Vascular and Cancer Hospital in Gujarat, a project expected to bring specialized healthcare closer to underserved communities and serve more than 1.3 million people.
The gala concluded with a Fund-a-Need campaign, generating significant support for healthcare infrastructure, STEM education expansion, and future Smart Village Movement initiatives.
Guests also enjoyed performances by Nauzad and DJ Zubin, whose entertainment brought energy and celebration to the evening.
Smart Village Movement is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building sustainable and self-reliant rural communities through innovation, partnerships, and community-driven development. Working in collaboration with governments, corporations, universities, and local leaders, SVM supports projects in healthcare, education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and sustainability across India. All donations are tax-deductible.
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