A file photo of Rishi with a violin | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Rishi Foundation, an NGO working with HIV-infected children and adolescents, will present a programme called ‘Circle of Life’ this weekend. It will be a 90-minute music and dance programme to raise funds for the foundation.

This is the third edition of the Circle of Life Concert 2024, with the first one being held in August 2022 in memory of Rishi Sheth, a foundation started by his parents Anita and Arun Sheth along with friends and family from Bengaluru.

Anitha is an MD, Research Professor currently working as Professor-Pediatrics and International Health Division (Global Disease Epidemiology and Control) at Johns Hopkins University in the US. She is currently based in Bengaluru and gives talks Hindu From his residence in Indiranagar, he spoke about his son, Rishi, Rishi Foundation and Circle of Life.

Anita Shet with the children of Snehagram | Photo courtesy: Special Arrangement

Respect through music

Anita says, “We lost Rishi in an accident in Bengaluru in 2021 when he was 17 years old. He was also an athlete and it all happened very suddenly for us. But, the children from the orphanage we worked with got in touch with us and said they wanted to do something and started a programme. Becky (Rebecca Thomas) from the Bangalore School of Music (BSM) and the Bangalore Chorus, led by a colleague, paediatrician and a dear friend, Maya Mascarenhas, also came forward to be a part of our campaign.”

“They also wanted to do something in memory of Rishi, who was a musician himself. We all felt the best way to honour him was through music. On August 22, 2022, in the month of Rishi’s birthday, the first concert was organised and we named it ‘Jeevan Chakra’ as it symbolises how we all have to play our role and give to others, and how others keep all the energy and goodwill to help each other.”

She then goes back in time and explains how her work with HIV-infected children and orphans began. “My husband Arun and I were physicians at St John’s Medical College, Bengaluru. We studied here and also worked as a faculty. Rishi himself was a musician. He learnt Carnatic music when we lived in Bengaluru and when we moved to the US he learnt Western classical music. When he was 14, he came to Bengaluru during his summer vacation and performed a solo concert in collaboration with BSM, where he was accompanied on the piano by BSM co-director Rebecca Thomas. He used this concert to raise funds for the orphanage and child care institute we were associated with during our stay here. Rishi used his musical talent (violin) to raise funds to give them a second chance in life and also taught them music

Anita says Circle of Life is a bridge to create a bond between our families and the families of these children. “We usually choose a Saturday close to Rishi’s birth date for the concert so that it is convenient for everyone. This year the concert is dominated by music with dance. This concert is also connected to the children we are working with and serving,” says Anita, who adds that they have helped hundreds of children and families so far.

Bindu and Ambi Subramaniam perform at a concert with SaPa students | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

What is special about Circle of Life this year is that it will have 120 children from Bangalore Chorus on stage, 20 in the orchestra, 12 from SaPa and one of our young adults from the orphanage. She has overcome every obstacle in her life and has become a change maker and is currently doing a diploma in Attakalari. She has trained a few children suffering from HIV. We also have a young boy who has received a scholarship to be a part of the International AIDS Society. He has a program called The Positive Running Program, which aims to bring running and physical activities into the lives of children suffering from chronic diseases. He will present a story in the form of a dance that talks about the benefits of running.

Rishi spent his holidays with the children of Snehgram | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Greater awareness

From a doctor’s perspective, Anita says: “Years ago, we didn’t know much about HIV. We were afraid of it and believed it could be spread by mere touch. But that has changed now. Today, HIV is like any other chronic disease. In fact, it is better than diseases like cancer, arthritis or diabetes because HIV is a disease that can be controlled with medication. The infected person can live a normal, healthy life. I hope people understand this and do not stigmatise people with HIV, but allow them to mingle normally in society. From our experience, we have found that children become anxious to tell others about their health condition when they grow up because many of them lose their jobs or are thrown out on the streets….”

“This is not a ticketed show, but we do encourage donations. We have donor passes so people can register for the show. They don’t have to pay, but they can donate any amount if they want.”

Circle of Life will be performed on August 3 at 4.30 pm and 7 pm at BIC (Bangalore International Centre). Donor passes are available at https://rishifoundation.in/circle-of-life-2024/