NEW YORK (TIP):  Children’s Hope India, a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to lifting children from poverty to prosperity in India and the United States, announced, November 28,  the honorees for its first-ever Gratitude Awards, recognizing individuals who have made bold civic and charitable contributions in a particularly challenging year.

 CHI co-founder, board member and journalist, Lavina Melwani, hosted the virtual event on Thanksgiving Day. “In these uncertain times of the pandemic, we may be isolated from our loved ones and unable to share the joy of a Thanksgiving meal in person but we can still warm ourselves by sharing thanks,” Melwani said.

Children’s Hope India’s inaugural Gratitude Awards honored the heroes around the world who contributed to helping the community weather such uncertain times. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was honored for being the voice of comfort, reason and science.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, host of the CNN show Sanjay Gupta MD and co-host with Anderson Cooper of global town halls throughout the pandemic, for coming into our homes and giving us wisdom and truth. Follow him on Twitter @drsanjaygupta.

Deepika Padukone, actress, producer and founder of The Live Love Laugh Foundation, for her bold and courageous championship around mental health issues. Follow her on Twitter @deepikapadukone.

Chandrika Tandon, Grammy-nominated artist, humanitarian, and business leader, for her calming chants and dedication to helping children succeed. Follow her on Facebook @chandrikatandon.

Hindu Singh Sodha, Rajasthan-based activist working on refugee rights, conflict resolution and peace movements, and founder of the Universal Just Action Society, for his passionate advocacy and support of the refugee communities in Jodhpur, providing them hope for a new life. Follow him on Twitter  @HinduSinghSodh1.

Dina Pahlajani, Cofounder and President of Children’s Hope India added that this year’s awards were also dedicated to, “the braveheart children of Children’s Hope India for adapting in such difficult times and staying committed to learning despite the challenges of the pandemic.”

Children’s Hope India launched the Gratitude Awards to showcase the work of individuals around the world who give what they can–whether a monetary contribution, a helping hand or a kind word. The Gratitude Awards will take place annually to recognize the many that truly make our world better and safer, and empower us all to be stronger individuals. In honor of this year’s awards, Children’s Hope India donated gift certificates, turkeys and Thanksgiving meals to families and individuals in Manhattan, Queens and Long Island.

About Children’s Hope India

Children’s Hope India was founded in 1992 when a group of professional women in New York gathered to make a difference in the lives of children. Now, as then, the mission of Children’s Hope India is to lift children from poverty to prosperity through education. This is accomplished with a whole child approach that seeks to ensure that each child is healthy, safe, supported, engaged and challenged with comprehensive programming including informal learning and vocational training, critical medical support, and nutrition.

Today, Children’s Hope India supports more than 20 projects and 300,000 children across India and the United States to improve children’s health and education prospects. To learn more, please visit www.childrenshopeindia.org.