For $10, one can sponsor a year's worth of food and education for a child in India.
At the Wharton Indian Students Association's inaugural Maasoom Charity Banquet last night, enough money was made to sponsor 250 children.
All the proceeds from "Maasoom" -- which means "helpless innocence" in Hindi -- will be donated to Child Relief and You, an Indian charity devoted to bettering the lives of underprivileged children.
With delicious dishes donated by Cafe Spice -- an Indian restaurant located on 2nd Street -- the event drew over 100 students to the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall.
According to Engineering junior and WISA Vice President Maeesha Merchant, Maasoom was a success despite an initial rocky start.
"We had issues getting a room," Merchant said. "We aren't [Student Activities Council]-funded, so they wanted to charge us $500 for the room though they kindly waived the fee."
Organizers also said they appreciated Cafe Spice's backing.
"We have a close association with Penn and all the greeting cards we buy are from CRY," Manager of Cafe Spice Philadelphia Munish Anand said. "India has a soft spot for CRY."
The highlight of the evening was a speech given by Director of the Penn-In-India study abroad program Surendra Gambhir on the positive impact of nongovernment organizations like CRY.
"We have touched the lives of people who are neglected in society," he said. "Giving is a gift. Once we persuade ourselves to give, we feel spiritually elevated."
A philanthropic spirit permeated the atmosphere at Maasoom. Engineering junior Raghav Bajaj, also known as DJ Ricksha, offered his services free of charge.
Some students felt Maasoom created a family-friendly atmosphere. Second-year Wharton MBA student Amit Singh brought his wife and 3-year-old son to "sample Indian food," while Wharton senior Prateek Sureka came to support both CRY and his brother, Varun, who is in WISA.
"Over summer, I was with [WISA President Kunal Bahl] and Varun while they were formulating a plan to launch this whole thing," he said. "There's just so much more that can be done by Indian students for India."
Students also said they were happy that the event supported a charitable cause.
"It's great that a Penn organization is doing something to benefit others," College junior Yin Yin said. "It's also good to hear the faculty support students as it perpetrates student enthusiasm towards charity."
Second-year Annenberg Ph.D. candidate and WISA board member Jatin Atre said he hoped Maasoom would make "Penn students think about their 'counterparts' in India."
College freshman John Kneeland said he was "shocked by how little American money it takes to change someone's life in India."
