The Sabha’s 91st Foundation Day was celebrated on 18th August 2024 at Vidhyadiraj Hall, Shri Ram Mandir Complex, Wadala. Shri Devendra Pai, Founder of ASMI Career Connect and Chief Asst. Professor, Political Science, Delhi University, was the Chief Guest, and Ms. Priyanka Kamath, a young entrepreneur who is the Founder of Tazo Home Products, was the Guest of Honour.
Eighty one eligible students from Std. X, Std XII, graduation, post-graduation, and professional courses from the academic year 2023-24 received a merit certificate from the Sabha as well as a book. Their applications were carefully scrutinised to ensure they met the eligibility criteria. Toppers in each course were also awarded a silver medal, sponsored by Smt. Jayashree Ramesh Shenoy. The books that were selected this year were #TataStories:40 Timeless Tales To Inspire You by Harish Bhat and Ikigai for Teens – Finding your Reason for Being by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. From our Vidyanidhi students, one topper from Std I to Std IX each was encouraged for their excellent academic performance and received a Certificate, a book besides a cash prize of Rs. 500. These awards have been instituted in memory of Shri V.R. Shenoy and sponsored by Smt. Sadhana and Shri Sunil Shenoy, USA. The GSB Promising Talent Award was instituted to encourage budding artists contributing their artwork to the Art Gallery page of the Sabha’s quarterly newsletter, Voice of GSB. These children also received an age-appropriate book You Are Born To Blossom – Take My Journey Beyond… by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam / Arun K. Tiwari. This year, the award was sponsored by Smt. Suchitra Sukhthankar, Sabha Committee Member.
Addressing the audience, Shri Pai said, “Encourage the students on the importance of being self-reliant in every way, starting early. Every day chores like bedding, basic cooking, and maintaining one’s wardrobe should be ingrained in children from an early age.” He also emphasised on the cultural and spiritual connection each one should make with their roots and community for both social and mental well-being. “Participate in all GSB Sabha activities, all GSB traditional and festive activities, and keep our rich cultural legacy alive for generations to come,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, Ms. Kamath, strongly emphasised the significance of grooming soft skills, which go a long way in building a well-groomed personality. Apart from technical knowledge gained through academics, she insisted on improving communication skills, interpersonal relations, which would help in building good corporate networks, which finally lead to a glorious career. She also spoke about the marvellous opportunities in entrepreneurship. “Today’s market welcomes start-ups from various fields, and there is a market for every kind of product, provided it has its own USP,” she said.
Sabha President Shri Laxmikant Prabhu then summarised all the learnings from the evening. He again insisted on the cultural and community connection each individual must make for their own well-being, as well as for the nurturing of the Sabha. He mentioned that in Tan-Man-Dhan, anyway in which each GSB contributes to the Sabha’s initiatives will ultimately benefit our own community’s well-being.
Sabha Joint Treasurer Shri Uday Malya then announced the launch of a new support scheme for single women from the community with distressed backgrounds. Launched on the eve of Raksha Bandhan, the scheme was aptly named ‘Sahodari’, meaning sister. The Sabha will provide support to eligible women in terms of grocery kits, skill development, children’s education, etc.
The singing of the National Anthem marked the end of this eventful evening. The 200-plus crowd dispersed thereafter but not before relishing the tasty snacks sponsored by Smt. Shanteri Nayak of Café Mysore. We are grateful to the Wadala Mutt Committee for their venue support for this event.
Some glimpses from this event:
