Indian Cuisine and Entertainment Festival Coming to Alameda County

I can already smell the faint aroma of garam masala, a spice used in many Indian dishes, and hear the clicking sounds of wooden Dandia sticks used by costumed dancers draped in vibrant greens and maroons.

My husband has often joked with me that I may have inherited my Irish features and Italian personality, but my soul belongs to Indian culture and cuisine with which I have no genetic association. 

You can imagine how thrilled my soul was when I was contacted by the Sankara Eye Foundation to cover their October 15 SEF Dandia 2011 fundraising event, to be held at the .

Sankara Eye Foundation is a non-profit organization whose fundraising efforts go toward supporting eye care in India.  According to board member Prabhu Venkatesh Subramanian, nearly one quarter of the world’s blind live in India. The available eye care facilities struggle to keep up the demand for their services. Even with a handful of facilities available, few can afford eye care help.

“For some, the cost of cataract surgery costs more than a year’s salary,” shared Prabhu.

Sankara’s efforts provide preventative care for children, eye care for adults and eye surgery for seniors in need of medical intervention.

“Many of our board members have sent their families to Sankara Eye Care Institutions because we consider it world class,” said Prabhu. 

“Eighty-five percent of men and fifty-eight percent of women have returned back to work after surgery.”

Entertainment and traditional Indian cuisine will be provided at the Pleasanton event. Music will be hosted by Dhol Baaje Entertainment, an Indian Dandia dance troupe. 

The first 500 participants to buy tickets will receive a free set of Dandia sticks. Sponsors will be offering raffles including two round-trip tickets to India and event-specific coupons that can be redeemed at local stores. 

Sankara is expecting 1,500 attendees to participate on the October 15 event. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased directly from Sankara Eye Foundation.

Although I am sure my Irish features will be like a neon sign among the beautiful Indian women adorned in colorful sarees, I look forward to celebrating a worthy cause over a bowl of Bhindi Masala and curried chicken.