In partnership with the City of Rancho Cordova, Suvidha International Foundation hosted a grand Diwali Festival of Lights at Stone Creek Community Park on Sunday, October 12, 2025. Supported by the City of Rancho Cordova’s Community Grant Program / Measure H funds, the event brought together nearly 3,000 residents, making it one of the largest and most vibrant Diwali celebrations in the region.

The festival celebrated Indian culture while promoting unity and community engagement. Diwali, observed by Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist communities worldwide, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness. Families from diverse backgrounds were warmly welcomed with traditional sweets, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the celebration. The park was transformed with diyas, candles, colorful LED lights, illuminated trees, decorative banners, photo booths, and festive installations, creating a magical atmosphere.

A major highlight of the evening was the spectacular aerial fireworks show, which filled the sky with brilliant colors and drew enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. The event was further honored by the presence of city and community leaders. Mayor Siri Pulipati presented an official proclamation recognizing Diwali as a significant cultural celebration and praised Suvidha International Foundation for its impactful STEM initiatives, including Speech & Debate, Robotics, the After-School AI Program, and Generative AI Boot Camps.

Assembly Member Josh Hoover addressed the audience, highlighting California’s recognition of Diwali as an official holiday and emphasizing the importance of cultural inclusion. He presented a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly, honoring Suvidha International Foundation for its leadership in cultural engagement, youth empowerment, and community service. 

Several other city and community leaders attended the celebration, including Council Member Joe Little, City Manager Micah Runner, Parks Chairman Rick Sloan, School Board Members Chris Clark, Jennifer Laret, and YK Chalamcherla, Community Leader Gowri Kowtha, Police Chief Matt Tamayo, Fire Chief Adam House, and Parks General Manager Patrick Larkin. Their presence reflected the city’s strong support for inclusive cultural events that strengthen community connections and civic pride.

The celebration featured a lively marketplace with Indian food stalls, clothing and jewelry vendors, henna artists, and over 25 nonprofit and business booths. Cultural performances by numerous local dance groups, music ensembles, and singers energized the stage, while a carnival, Arts & Crafts zone, and cultural competitions—such as Rangoli, Lantern Making, Cooking, Youth Costume, and Saree and Lehenga contests—engaged participants of all ages.

The event concluded as a strong example of collaboration and community spirit. More than 30 dedicated volunteers worked behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and memorable celebration. With the support of city partners, community leaders, and volunteers, Rancho Cordova’s Diwali Festival of Lights stood out as a joyful, inclusive, and unforgettable community event.

Suvidha International Foundation proudly hosted the Gateway to Medicine Summer Camp from July 21–23 at the Art of Living Center in Folsom, California. This three-day, 10-hour immersive program engaged 40 middle and high school students, offering an early and meaningful introduction to medicine through hands-on activities, interactive discussions, and experiential learning. The camp was designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and make medical concepts approachable for students with varied backgrounds.

A defining feature of the camp was its youth-led leadership model. The entire program was planned and executed by student leaders Anoushka Bellum, Sriram Vempati, and Arjun Dhulipala—each aspiring to pursue careers in medicine. Their peer-driven approach, energy, and thoughtful curriculum design created a welcoming environment that strongly resonated with participants and inspired them to explore similar paths.

Students attended from across Sacramento, Folsom, Rocklin, Granite Bay, and Elk Grove, representing multiple middle and high schools. This diverse cohort fostered collaboration, friendships, and a shared sense of purpose among Indian American students united by a common interest in healthcare and service-oriented careers.

The camp featured rich hands-on medical experiences, including CPR training, suturing practice, lung-function demonstrations, use of diagnostic tools such as blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes, first-aid and bandaging workshops, and a medical scavenger hunt. These interactive sessions simulated real-world clinical scenarios and helped students connect classroom science with practical medical applications.

A dedicated highlight of the camp was the involvement of accomplished doctors and mentors. Sessions were led by Dr. Vijay Parikh (CPR and emergency response), Dr. Venu Bellum (suturing and surgical skills), Dr. Hema Bhargava (pediatric cardiology and heart health), Dr. Abhishek Rai (mental health awareness), and Dr. Alok Krishna (addiction medicine and compassionate care). Achyutha Kodavatikanti shared insights into the medical school journey, while Venkat Nagam provided a clear overview of BS/MD pathways and long-term planning. With overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and parents, Suvidha International Foundation plans to make the Gateway to Medicine Summer Camp an annual initiative, continuing its commitment to early mentorship and educational empowerment.

Suvidha International Foundation successfully organized two Summer Camps in June and July 2025, each offering 15 classes. The camps included in-person Speech and Debate programs and SPIKE Prime robotics sessions at the Art of Living Center in Folsom, along with a wide range of academic and enrichment courses.

The curriculum featured Speech and Debate, Python and Java coding, introductory Spanish, Raspberry Pi Robotics, and comprehensive mathematics offerings from 5th, 6th, and 7th grade math through IM1, IM2, IM3, Precalculus, Calculus AB, and Vedic Mathematics. These programs were designed to strengthen students’ academic foundations and communication skills.

More than 250 students participated across both camps, guided by 30 dedicated youth volunteers. The volunteers delivered high-quality instruction while earning valuable service hours and eligibility for Presidential Volunteer Service Awards, with several receiving recognition for their contributions.

In addition to educational impact, the camps supported Suvidha’s charitable mission. Proceeds from the programs will fund the education of five girl children during the 2025–26 academic year, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to empowering young learners and creating lasting social impact.

Suvidha International Foundation successfully concluded the Help Cordova Meadows Refugee Families donation drive, an initiative grounded in compassion, community partnership, and the belief that every family deserves dignity and a welcoming start in their new home.

The drive was organized to support refugee students and families living in Cordova Meadows who are beginning life in the United States with limited resources. Through the generosity of community members, donors, and volunteers, essential support was provided to 50 refugee families as they worked toward stability and independence.

With overwhelming support, the initiative collected bedding, towels, kitchen items, school and office supplies, small household appliances, cleaning supplies, seasonal clothing, and footwear for all ages. These donations offered more than basic necessities—they brought comfort, warmth, and reassurance during a challenging transition.

Volunteers played a vital role in sorting, organizing, and preparing items for distribution. Their dedication reflected the true spirit of service, with each donated item symbolizing kindness, solidarity, and hope for families adjusting to a new environment.

Suvidha International Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to all donors and volunteers whose compassion made this effort possible. Together, the community demonstrated that when people unite with empathy and purpose, they can create meaningful, lasting impact—bringing warmth, hope, and a fresh start to our newest neighbors.

Suvidha International Foundation successfully conducted a winter clothing drive in Rancho Cordova, California. On December 12, 2025, more than 200 jackets and sweaters—along with socks, jeans, and scarves—were collected and distributed to students and families from Kinney High School, benefiting over 200 individuals facing economic hardship.

This initiative provided critical relief to underprivileged families by ensuring students had access to essential winter clothing. The donations helped ease financial strain, supported student health during the cold months, and enabled students to attend school comfortably and confidently, improving focus and participation.

The campaign was powered by the dedication of 20 youth volunteers and their parents, whose time and effort were central to the success of the drive. Under the leadership of youth volunteers Pranil Raichura, Sriram Vempati, and Naman Raichura, student volunteers worked tirelessly to collect, sort, and distribute the clothing. Adult volunteers, including Bhaskar Vempati, President of Suvidha International Foundation, along with Prachi Raichura and other community volunteers, played a key role in organizing and executing the initiative. Suvidha also extends heartfelt thanks to all donors who generously contributed winter clothing.

Kinney High School expressed deep gratitude for the initiative, highlighting its positive impact on students and families. This effort powerfully demonstrated the impact of community collaboration, youth leadership, and compassion in bringing warmth, dignity, and hope to families in need.