A Night to Remember: Pratham UK Gala Highlights

Amidst the stunning halls and beautiful art of the V&A Museum in London, Pratham UK’s annual gala brought together friends, supporters and partners for an evening celebrating learning, community and the power of opportunity. The event was a vibrant gathering where creativity and purpose came together, and every moment reflected a shared commitment to education.

It was a night defined by generosity and connection, with guests coming together not only to enjoy the evening, but to support children across India in gaining the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. The energy in the room was matched by the impact of the cause, making it an evening to remember.

Comedian & Host 
Rory Bremner led the evening with his trademark humour, keeping spirits high and adding his signature charm to the night.

Fireside Chat
We were delighted to welcome Smriti Irani as our special guest. In conversation with Nishma Gosrani OBE, she reflected on her journey across public life and the importance of expanding access to education—a theme at the heart of Pratham’s work: giving children the tools to learn well and build brighter futures.

Music Performances
Music was at the heart of the evening. Pianist and composer Rekesh Chauhan delivered a recital blending Eastern and Western classical traditions, accompanied by vocalist Ashnaa Sasikaran and saxophonist Jesse Bannister.

The Third Culture Collective orchestra, directed by Kavi Pau, followed with a performance exploring the origins and traditions of Diwali, combining music and storytelling in a fresh and moving way.

Pledge Drive
A highlight of the evening came when Sakate Khaitain, Chairman of Pratham UK, led the pledge drive. Thanks to the generosity in the room, guests helped raise over £450,000 to support Pratham’s mission—ensuring more children, women and young people across India and beyond can access quality education.

Silent Auction

Guests also took part in a carefully curated silent auction, featuring a range of exclusive experiences and items that added to the evening’s impressive total. We are deeply grateful to all the generous donors who made this possible, including:

Individual donors: Alok Gahrotra, Bonny Hazuria, David Gower, John Fernandes, Nikita & Yash Binani, Patricia Natalia, Pooja Singhal, Katy Beechey, Reita & Vilas Gadkari and  Ruchi Bakshi

Brands and organisations: Benares, Bicester Village, Brightsun Travel, Cara Jewellers, Ce La Vi, Clap London, Dream Set Go, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Financial Times, The Hale Clinic, Hutke Art by Shalini Bharadwaj, JKS Restaurants, , London Sports Physio, Milina London and Spice Kitchen.

Thanks to their generosity, every bid helped support Pratham UK’s mission and bring us closer to ensuring every child can learn well and fulfil their potential.

We were able to make the evening extra special, thanks to our brand partners – Cara Jewellers, Forest of Chintz, Dirtea and Trutti Frutti Bespoke Gifts 

Each year, volunteers, partners, artists and musicians generously give their time, talent and energy to create an evening that truly inspires. Their dedication transforms a single night into a celebration of creativity, community and the shared belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn. Together with our generous donors, this remarkable community makes an extraordinary contribution to Pratham’s mission.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the V&A, took part and supported our work. Together, we continue to open doors for millions of children, ensuring every child has the chance to learn, thrive and realise their potential.

Please find the images from the evening here.