By Neha Kolape

Overseas Medical Graduate Association (OMGA) celebrated Mother’s day on 13 May 2017 at Thornbury theatre in support of Australian South-Asian Healthcare Association (ASHA) charity. A fund-raising dinner was attended by 280 delegates from medical and non-medical community. This is the fifth successive event hosted by OMGA.

Commencing with Mr Nagesh Joshi and Mrs. Niharika Datta , Master of Ceremony (MC) – recognising Darebin leaders and congratulating mothers the audience were enthralled with music, poetry and dance performances.

Dr Geeta Venkatram, president of OMGA, declared the event open. Dr Venkatram appreciated ASHA’s community commitment in assisting health care professional’s efforts in rural regions of India. She wished them well and assured support from OMGA.

Dr Raj Khillan welcomed chief guest Ms Rohini Kappadath and felicitated her with OMGA plaque. Dr Khillan spoke about his association with Ms Kappadath and appreciated her contribution and leadership in the esteemed corporate world.

The Chief Guest Ms Rohini Kappadath congratulated OMGA and addressed the audience regarding women leadership. Ms Kappadath is a successful corporate executive with wide experience in managing large businesses. Ms Kappadath motivated the audience and her speech has inspired many young professionals to follow Ms Kappadath’s suite.

The event was colourful with dance, music, Lezim dhol and beautifully complimented by Mr Ashok Chavali and Mr Neeraj Sharma’s music group. The music team composed of Mr Krishna Kidambi, Mrs Meenakshi Goel, Mrs Vashita Pandya, Mr Nagesh Joshi, Mr Narayanan Krishnan, and Mr Raj Singh.

Mother’s Day audience enjoyed poetry by Mr Subhash Sharma and Dr Raj Khillan. The well-known gazal Chitthi ayyee hai was beautifully rendered by Mr Kunal Mehta.

Young stars performed for the first time on the OMGA stage. Miss Nishka Kataria, Miss Gitaanjali Nair, Miss Aditi Bajel, Miss Aarushi Bajel and Dr Gitanjali Vengurlekar spell bound the audience by their performances.

Dr Raj Khillan has set a record of reciting poetry for the fifth successful poetry session at Mother’s Day event. The poetry on mother was emotionally packed and audience could not hide their emotions.

The highlight of the event was a dance performance and workshop by Jhoom Bollywood. Ms Marshee Rajkumar rocked the stage with her dance moves and engaged audience.

Mother’s Day 2017 was successful and has raised $22000.

“OMGA wishes to thank sponsors Bank of Melbourne, Singh Homes, Attune, Healthy Smile Dental Group, Sweet India and Mossfiel Medical Centre – Dr Meera Joshi for their support and generosity.

Both OMGA and ASHA will now look to host events to encourage social engagement amongst Indian Health Professionals, uniting them to improve the awareness of health amongst the local Indian community and create charity healthcare projects in India,” Mr Nagesh Joshi, Director Om Medics Australia Pty Ltd & NV Medical Pty Ltd said.

OMGA is already running “Health Is Wealth” program on “Sanjhi Awaaj” radio and health awareness for Indian/Punjabi community on SBS radio. OMGA is also running “Doctors against Domestic violence” campaign to help the victims of domestic violence by providing free medical help to victims and their children.

Overseas medical graduates can get in touch with OMGA at www.omga.org.au.

Alternatively, if you are interested in supporting Medical Projects within the local community or in India, email at info@ashacharity.org.