MANHATTAN, N.Y. July 12th, 2003-- Sigma Sigma Rho Sorority Inc. hosts Qayamat 2003, an original South Asian Greek God and Goddess competition to financially support the HELP (Health and Education for the Less Privileged) Foundation. Qayamat 2003, which was held at Tischman Auditorium, marked a first in the world of pageants and left many in awe. For the first time ever Sigma Sigma Rho Sorority Inc. (SSR), the first successful South Asian Interest group on the East Coast brought together several South Asian Greek-Lettered organizations from across the country to achieve the common goal of unity among South Asian youth.

South Asian Fraternity and Sorority associations, mainly of college and university students in the United States, have been established to further the social, scholastic, and professional interests of the members. The various South Asian organizations that participated included; Sororities: Delta Kappa Delta (DKD), Delta Phi Omega(DFO), Kappa Phi Gamma(KFG) and Fraternities: Delta Epsilon Sigma Iota(DESI), Delta Sigma Iota(DSI), Iota Nu Delta(IND).

These South Asian Greeks proudly represented their individual organizations by competing in four exciting segments: Greek Wear, Talent showcase, Ethnic Evening Wear, and a Question & Answer Session. The stage was brought to life and the crowd impressed as Amit Chhabra, winner of this year's South Asian Greek God title, played a melody of Hindi film songs on the piano. A student at CUNY medical school, Amit represented Delta Epsilon Sigma Iota. The title of Greek Goddess rightfully went to Rakhi Ramchandani, who wooed the crowd with her response during the Question/Answer segment. Rakhi who is finance major at Boston University, represented Kappa Phi Gamma.

An equally impressive panel of judges comprised of presidents of each South-Asian Greek lettered organization involved, and four prominent leaders from the community; Ms. Pakistan and host of V-Desi Amber Khan, Writer/Director/Actor Manan Katohora, Founder and president of Masala Communications M.K. Srinivasan and Vice President of WCNJ 89.3 FM, Rahul Walia.

The evening was bursting with entertainment as various dance performance's showcased second generation talent. New York University's famous dance troupe NASHA preformed to a concoction of Hindi tracks, while New York City's elite hip-hop group Company Soul left the crowd wanting more. GABRU of Rutgers University had everyone dancing in their seats with their traditional performance. Master of Ceremonies for the event Athul, kept the crowds interest with various jokes and games throughout the course of the evening. What made Qayamat 2003, an even bigger success was the amazing segment by the hosts of the night, Sigma Sigma Rho. The crowd grew silent as sisters of Sigma Sigma Rho recited their oath under candle light, followed by a step show like none other seen before. Payal Patel, National President of Sigma Sigma Rho, was in tears as she delivered a heartfelt speech and thanked all those who helped make the night possible, when asked about Qayamat 2004 she was all smiles and said, "Wait and see!"

The HELP Foundation, whose main purpose, "Is to undertake or support programs dealing with the education, vocational training, foster care or orphaned or destitute children, and helpless or battered women." Led by Mr. Sankar Rao Polepalle in the United States, the HELP Foundation consists of four orphanages throughout India. Philanthropy being one of the main objectives of an South-Asian Greek-Lettered organization, Sigma Sigma Rho raised enough money to sponsor a child's health and education throughout his/her lifetime.

Sigma Sigma Rho Sorority Inc. founded in December of 1998 at St. John's University in New York believes in the ideals of sisterhood, society and remembrance. "Sisterhood is what we work for, society is whom we give to and remembrance is what lies in our hearts." Through these ideals the sisterhood hopes to serve both the South Asian community and the greater community at large both on and off campuses, strengthen their sisterhood and break down ethnic and cultural barriers that would otherwise keep sisters apart.

For more information regarding Qayamat 2003 or any of the sororities or fraternities involved please visit: www.qayamat2003.com.

For more information regarding the HELP Foundation please visit: www.helpfoundation.org.

Do you have any thoughts on this? Feel free to send Nisha an e-mail @ Nisha Rana.