Sudhir Joins Drive to Fund Surgeries for 100 Ugandan Children at India Day

By Gad Masereka

Kololo Independence Grounds were awash with color, music, and the aroma of rich Indian cuisine on Saturday as thousands gathered to mark India Day 2025 in Uganda.

Yet beneath the dazzling performances and festive cheer lay a mission of profound urgency raising funds to provide life-saving heart surgeries for more than 100 Ugandan children born with congenital defects.

This year’s celebration, held under the theme “A Celebration with a Heartbeat,” was more than a cultural showcase; it was a call to compassion.

The event was spearheaded by the Indian Association Uganda and the Sindhi Community Uganda, drawing support from leading companies, philanthropists, and government officials who rallied around the shared cause of saving young lives.

Among the most notable contributors was businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, whose Ruparelia Group was recognized as a key sponsor of the initiative.

Long celebrated for his philanthropy in education and healthcare, Sudhir’s involvement underscored the commitment of Uganda’s private sector to addressing critical social needs. “India Day is more than just a cultural event—it is a celebration of shared values and mutual progress,” remarked Paresh R. Mehta, acting chairman of the Indian Association Uganda, as he commended partners like the Ruparelia Group, Airtel Uganda, Uganda Airlines, and the Rotary Clubs for transforming goodwill into tangible impact.

The festivities themselves unfolded in spectacular fashion, with vibrant traditional dances, electrifying performances from Indian pop stars Anjana Padmanabhan and Guru Randhawa, and an atmosphere that blended joy with purpose.

Even as the crowd cheered and celebrated, the message of the day remained clear: behind the music and fireworks were children whose futures depended on collective action.

Statistics shared during the event cast the urgency into sharp relief. According to Santosh Gumte, Managing Director of Kansai Plascon Uganda—which donated UGX 300 million (about USD 80,000)—more than 8,000 Ugandan children are born each year with congenital heart conditions. “We cannot stand by and let that potential fade away,” Gumte said. “Our paint brings color to homes, but our partnerships and community work bring hope to hearts.”

The initiative has already pledged to cover full medical and travel costs for at least fifty Ugandan children who will undergo surgeries in India in the coming months. Organizers emphasized that this was only the beginning, with continued fundraising set to expand the program to reach even more families in need.

Government and diplomatic voices added weight to the occasion. Minister of State for Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite praised the Indian community’s enduring contribution to Uganda’s growth. “Happy India Day to all the Indians in the world but most importantly to the Indian community in Uganda,” she said in a message shared on social media. “Thanks to President Kaguta Museveni, you are recognised as one of the tribes in Uganda. You are a tribe that has not only created jobs for our citizens but contributed 65 percent of our taxes.”

India’s High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Upender Singh Rawat, echoed her sentiments, framing the celebration as a reflection of friendship that goes beyond economics. “This is more than a celebration of India’s independence—it’s a celebration of the enduring friendship, shared values, and collective future of India and Uganda,” he said.

As fireworks lit up the night sky to close the festivities, awards were presented to individuals and organizations whose humanitarian efforts had made the event possible.

For many in attendance, the memory of India Day 2025 will not just be about the colors and rhythms of a cultural celebration, but about the hope it delivered to parents anxiously awaiting a second chance for their children.

By placing a humanitarian cause at the center of a cultural showcase, the Indian community, supported by Ugandan partners like Sudhir Ruparelia, demonstrated the power of collective goodwill.

It was a reminder that while festivals celebrate heritage, their greatest impact lies in building bridges of compassion—and in this case, in saving the lives of children who might otherwise have been forgotten.