Felicitating the Founders

Reports : Devi Ahalya Mandir is perennial source of inspiration: Sumitra Mahajan

“Devi Ahalya Mandir is not just a building but an institution of perennial inspiration and energy for women,” observed Lok Sabha Speaker Smt Sumitra Mahajan in Nagpur on October 25. She was addressing the Golden Jubilee celebration of Devi Ahalya Mandir Trust. Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the largest organisation of women worldwide, Sushri Shantakka Tai and vice president of the Trust Jaishree Khandekar also shared the dais. Former Pramukh Sanchalika Pramila Tai Medhe, who is the moving matriarch of Devi Ahalya Mandir, was honoured by Smt Mahajan.
Smt Mahajan, who owe allegiance and grooming to Rashtra Sevika Samiti since her early days, said it this emotionally surcharged programme that this building was constructed with the money earned from collections at Ramayan discourses by Vandaniya Maushiji Kelkar, founder of Devi Ahalya Mandir Trust and Rashtra Sevika Samiti. She appealed to the women to imbibe virtues of motherhood, leadership and achievements in life and disseminate these values to their children.
Confessing with pride that she was influenced by the character building sanskars of Devi Ahalya Mandir that inspired her to jump into the public life and earn success, Sumitra Mahajan said these virtues and values reflected in my personality compelled the people to get me elected eight times in succession to Lok Sabha, thus proving the success rate of these values beyond any doubt.
Shantakka Tai said the building of Devi Ahalya Smarak Samiti is not just like any other building, it is throbbing with life because of the presence of great dedicated, devoted and committed souls like Pramilatai Medhe and Chitratai Joshi. Pramilatai Medhe also replied to her felicitation stating that devotion of Sevikas converted this building into a temple of learning. Students from north-east Bharat, who stay here and pursue their studies, presented a song on the life of Devi Ahalyabai. Chitratai Joshi described the building as a storehouse of bliss and happiness. The programme was attended by Ushatai Chati, Swamini Brahmapra-kashananda, VNIT Chairman Vishram Jamdar, senior Pracharak Dr Shankarrao Tattvavadi, Dr Uma Vaidya, Prof AW Vyavahare, Dr Sanjeevani, etc.

Virag Pachpore in Nagpur

Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad on October 27 felicitated senior workers who worked with the organisation since inception. Haryana Governor Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki while felicitating the workers said the literature which
does not have nationalism is of no use. He said literature
is a true mirror of the society. He said the Sahitya
Parishad was formed on October 27, 1966 to restore ancient glory of Bharat.
Sahitya Parishad president Dr Tribhuvan Nath Shukla said the Parishad has not only achieved a niche among the literary persons during the last 50 years but also set up new standards in this field. We could do it because of the dedication and efforts of the workers and it is time to recognise and recall their contribution. He said we need to produce the literature which unites people and not divides. Prominent among those who were felicitated included Shri Balvir Singh, Dr Devendra Deepak, Shri Jeet Singh ‘Jit’, Dr Kanhaiya Singh, Dr Bhuneshwar Gurumaita, Dr Jwala Prasad Kaushik and Dr Devendrachandra Das. National organising secretary of the Parishad Shridhar Paradkar, national general secretary Shri Rishi Kumar and national secretary Shri Ravindra Shukla were also present on the occasion.