Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 18: GSB Sabha, Mumbai, celebrated its Gudi Padva Sneh Milan Programme at Pracharya B. N. Vaidya Sabhagraha, Raja Shivaji Vidyalaya (King George School), Hindu Colony, Dadar recently.

 Sumitra and Mahesh Aras, MD and chief administrative officer, Head Global Knowledge Centre, J P Morgan, India and former chairman of NKGSB Co-operative Bank, were the chief guests.

The program began with melodious bhajans rendered by the Mahila Shakha Bhajan Group.  A Ganapati Vandana dance was performed by Seema Shenai.

In the formal program which followed,  two minute silence was observed to mourn the passing away of N G Pai, who had led the Satsang activties of the Sabha for last 11 years.

Sabha President,  Sudha G. Pai, then addressed the audience and gave an update on the various charitable activities of the Sabha.  In his speech, chief guest  Mahesh Aras gave a great insight on the GSB community and its changing face in today’s scenario.  He stressed on the importance to keep our culture and tradition alive.
 

The GSB Talent Recognition Award, of which founder sponsor is Shri K.M. Kamath, was presented to acclaimed singer, Ms. Mahalakshmi Shenoy, child prodigy from Karkala, Karnataka, and "Sangeet Visharad" from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal.  Ms. Mahalakshmi Shenoy presented a grand musical performance of Kannada and Konkani songs which was enjoyed by all. She was accompanied by Shri Kiran Kamath on harmonium, Mandar Puranik on tabla and Ravindra Shenoy on manjira.

The program was sponsored by Shri M. V. Kini.  The musical program was sponsored by Smt. Rajani and Shri Shashidhar Pai. Program co-sponsors were Redi Port Ltd - Earnest John Group of Companies, Evergreen Engineering Co Pvt Ltd, NGSB Co-operative Bank Ltd, P. M. Enterprises and Saraswat Co-operative Bank Ltd.  Venue sponsors were Smt. Vilasini Bhandarkar and Capt. Vivek Bhandarkar of Bhandarkar Publications.  Banner support was extended by Deltek Equipments, Inmar Corporation and Pai Consultants.  Shri Satish Nayak and Shri Satish Lotlikar helped generously with venue arrangements. All sponsors were felicitated by the chief guest.

There were spot prizes for members in the audience.  The program ended with traditional 'Amchigele' Gudi Padva Dinner. Surplus from the program was fully allocated to the Vidyanidhi Fund of the Sabha, which is used to extend financial assistance to the needy students of our Community.

Bina Shenoy compered the program.  Laxmikant Prabhu introduced the chief guest. Mahalakshmi Shenoy was introduced by  S D Shenoy.  Sponsors announcements were done by Amita Kini. Donors List was read out by Subhas Rao. Vote of Thanks was presented by Bharat Kini. Shanteri Nayak,  Uday Malya, Mohini Hegde, K R Bhakta, Satish Kamath, Jyoti Mallya, Chitra Kamath and Shri Dinesh Bhandarkar also helped in program arrangements.