The 93rd Foundation Day of GSB Sabha, Mumbai, was observed on 16th August 2026 at Shri Vidyadhiraj Sabhagriha, Shri Ram Mandir Complex, Wadala. The programme included the felicitation of 68 meritorious students across diverse academic streams, along with the recognition of young contributors to the Sabha’s quarterly magazine, Voice of GSB(VoG).
The programme was graced by Dr. (Prof.) Chitra Kamath, Head, Department of Chemistry, K.J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, as Chief Guest, and Ms. Sanjyot Telang, a Paris-based historian and photographer, as the Guest of Honour. Ms. Telang is currently researching the lives of GSB women since the 1960s, documenting their evolving roles and contributions over the decades.
The programme commenced with an interactive quiz introducing students to GSB culture and heritage, followed by the distribution of certificates and books to all awardees. Students who excelled in SSC, ICSE, and CBSE (Class 10 and 12), as well as graduates and postgraduates, were additionally presented with Silver Medals, sponsored by the Smt. Jayashree Ramesh Shenoy Family.
The V.R. Shenoy Memorial Vidyanidhi Merit Awards for this year were presented to one student each from Std I to IX, selected from the beneficiaries of educational assistance from the Sabha’s Vidyanidhi Fund.
Academic Merit Awardees received:
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
Young contributors to Voice of GSB (VoG) and Vidyanidhi beneficiaries received:
- Behind the Bushes or Bars by Saanvi Santharam Shenoy
- How I Found My Ikigai by Akanksha Suranjan Pai
- The Imperatrix by Akanksha Suranjan Pai
- The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond
Books for the GSB Promising Talent Award were sponsored by Sabha’s Committee Member Smt. Suchitra Sukhthankar. All students were also presented with Guruvachanamrit by His Holiness Srimad Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji, adding a spiritual dimension to the honours.
A new award for a meritorious medical student was instituted this year, sponsored by Dr. Asha Prabhu and Shri Sumeet Nayak in memory of their late parents, Smt. Meenakshi and Dr. Ramnath P. Nayak, carrying a cash prize of ₹10,000.
The Sabha also felicitated Deetya Vinod Balgi, a 15-year-old Yogasana athlete who has achieved recognition at both national and international levels, with a Silver Medal. The felicitations were presented by the Chief Guest, Dr. (Prof.) Chitra Kamath, and Sabha Trustee, Smt. Gita Pai.
In her address, Ms. Sanjyot Telang shared insights from her unconventional journey and highlighted the importance of preserving the oral traditions of the GSB community. She noted that many of these traditions remain undocumented, yet form an important and invaluable part of the community’s heritage.
Dr. (Prof.) Chitra Kamath urged students to pursue their goals with hard work, determination, and perseverance, while emphasising the importance of physical, mental, and emotional well-being as the foundation for sustained success.
President Shri Laxmikant Prabhu encouraged students to remain connected to their roots by speaking their mother tongue, observing traditions, and actively engaging with their cultural heritage. He emphasised that such practices are essential to preserving and passing on the community’s heritage to future generations.
A common message across the addresses was that education is a means of empowerment, while preserving culture and Sanskriti is equally important. The speakers stressed that traditions can gradually fade if they are not consciously practised and passed on to the next generation.
The Sabha reiterated its ongoing initiatives and called for greater youth participation through Tan, Man and Dhan, encouraging contributions of time, effort and resources. It emphasised that even small individual contributions can strengthen the collective growth of the community.
The event concluded with refreshments sponsored by Smt. Shanteri Nayak. The nearly 200 attendees departed with a renewed sense of pride in the achievements of the community and a deeper connection to its cultural heritage.
The Sabha expressed its gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the event, with special appreciation to the Wadala Committee for their support and seamless arrangements.
