City witnesses a wave of solidarity for Japans tsunami victims

GURGAON: Come May 2, and Gurgaonites, along with corporates and celebrities, will assemble at Kingdom of Dreams to support those who have lost almost everything in the Tsunami that devastated Japan recently.
Organised by Gurgaon Connection, an NGO, the event India for Japan will see an auction followed by a cocktail dinner, the proceeds of which would be transferred via the Red Cross in India to its counterpart in Japan.Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has agreed to be the chief guest for the occasion.
The event, which was initially conceptualized as a fundraiser dinner for expats in Gurgaon, has now expanded to include people from all over country coming forward to do their bit for the cause. Celebrities like ace tennis player Leander Paes, fashion designer Satya Paul, actor Arjun Rampal and artist Anjanna Kuthiala will now join hands with corporates and commoners to raise funds for the quake victims.
There are a lot of Japanese people living and working in Gurgaon, who are closely associated with our NGO. After the Tsunami, we wanted to show our solidarity with them and their families in Japan. When we thought of organizing this auction, we had only a particular section of Gurgaonites in mind. But we had no idea that this would turn out to be such a big event. It is heartening to know that even the CM has agreed to be a part of this event, said TJ Singla, founder of Gurgaon Connection.
While Leander Paes has donated the tennis racquet, which he used in a recent tennis tournament, former Miss India and painter Anjanna Kuthiala has decided to put up three of her paintings for auction. Fashion designer Satya Paul has also given a garment designed by him for the show.
I have a close connection with Japan since I have won the Japanese Open quite a few times. My heart goes out to the people there in their hour of crisis. I have decided to donate the tennis racquet, with which I played and won the recent Sony Ericcson Open at Miami, to raise funds for India for Japan. Although I would be in Europe for the Madrid Open on May 2, my prayers are with the people of Japan, Leander Paes told TOI.
Japan has been hit by one of the worst natural disasters of all times. That is why we decided to do our bit for them. I have decided to showcase three of my paintings at the auction, one of which would portray the contemporary image of a Japanese geisha in a very traditional backdrop, said Kuthiala.
The auction will also have a bat signed by legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, designer diamond jewellery donated by jewelers in Gurgaon, clothes, accessories and artifacts. We would have people from diverse backgrounds. That is why we have decided to auction things that would interest one and all, said TJ.
The auction will be followed by a Japanese dinner, which would be prepared especially for the occasion by the chefs of Sakura, the specialty Japanese restaurant at Time Tower in Gurgaon.
This auction will provide not just financial, but also moral support to the people of Japan at a time when they need it the most. This would also improve the relations between India and Japan. While we are expecting a 400-plus crowd to be present at the event, we want more and more people from Gurgaon to come forward and do their bit, said Anumod Sharma, MD, Kingdom of Dreams.