The Mercer County Chain Reaction Youth Council, which raises funds for the March of Dimes, has its roots in West Windsor-Plainsboro, and the tradition lives on at its annual Rangeela fundraiser at High School North on Saturday, September 22. Tickets ($35-$100 or $20 for ages 21 and under) include a full dinner from Palace of Asia.
Rangeela features a Bollywood performance by singer Deepak Kumar of Satellites Group fame from Mumbai, India, along with performances from many award winning dance troupes from the Central Jersey area. There will so be “foot tapping music” by Anuja Wala & Group. Formal attire is requested. Bring a non-perishable item to donate to an area food bank. For information contact Percis Bansal at 609-448-7620.
The inaugural Rangeela was organized in 2001 by Rahul Bansal, a 2003 graduate of High School North. The event raised $100,000 in 2011. The Chain Reaction was originally active in only West Windsor Plainsboro, but over the years, participation has increased greatly. The team has extended to five different schools in Mercer County: West Windsor Plainsboro, South Brunswick, Robbinsville, Princeton High School, and Princeton Day School.
Tanvi Purohit, a senior at High School South is this year’s Chain Reaction president. A volunteer with the March of Dimes for five years, she started by dancing in the show. This was her first exposure to its mission of preventing premature birth, birth defects, and infant mortality, and it was not until a family friend had an experience with premature birth that Purohit decided to join the March of Dimes. She has raised more than $9,000 for the organization, and is looking forward to a successful Rangeela show.
Volunteers and officers work diligently to put together fundraising events, and spread awareness in their communities. The council recently received a Gold Award as the highest fundraising youth team in Mercer County. “The audience will be supporting a worthy cause while experiencing an enjoyable evening at the same time,” says co-president Neeraj Devulapalli, a junior at Princeton Day School.
Purohit and Neeraj Devulapalli will be organizing the show along with fellow officers. High School North students include Sabhya Gupta, Shreya Chittem, Sharanya Bhateja, and Meghnee Patel. High School South students include Neelesh Satpute, Kushal Gandhi, Pranay Nadella, Arnav Sood, Abhimanyu Muchhal, and Riddhima Kapoor. Other members are Deanna Chhor and Ria Shah of Robbinsville, and Rishab Tanga of Princeton.
“With a dedicated and hard-working team, I believe that this year’s Rangeela show will be just as successful, if not more, than those of the past,” says Purohit. “I encourage everyone to attend what is sure to be a spectacular show.”
March of Dimes, founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was originally intended to find a cure for polio. In the mid-1960s the organization expanded its goals and began combating prematurity, birth defects, and infant mortality. For more information visit www.marchofdimes.com.
Rangeela 11th Anniversary, March of Dimes, High School North, 90 Grovers Mill Road, Plainsboro. Saturday, September 22, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. The repertoire blends South Asian tradition, Indian classical music, and contemporary dance. Full dinner from Palace of Asia. Proceeds benefit the March of Dimes. $35 to $50. 609-448-7620. www.marchofdimes.com/newjersey.
