Pune, May 27 (UNI) President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday graced the 125th year celebrations of Smt late Laxmibai Dagadusheth Halwai Datta Mandir Trust in Pune.
Speaking on the occasion, the President appreciated the Dagadusheth family for being instrumental in establishing the Ganpati temple and the Dattatreya temple in Pune.
He noted that Dagadusheth was also closely associated with Lokmanya Tilak in celebrating Ganpati festival. He said that the Ganpati festival has made an invaluable contribution in our national politics. This festival has emerged as a source of nationalism and social harmony against the British rule.
The President was happy to note that apart from preserving and renovating the Lord Dattatreya temple, the Smt Laxmibai Dagadusheth Halwai Datta Mandir Trust is also engaged in various social welfare works such as providing scholarships for poor students and food for orphanages and old age homes. He appreciated the Dagadusheth family and the Trust for their social and welfare initiatives.
He expressed hope that Pune and Maharashtra will always be at the forefront in the social, political and cultural work of the country.
On this occasion, Laxmibai Memorial Awards 2022 were presented to three renowned women achievers from different fields. The awardees included Dr. Madhuri Kanitkar, Vice Chancellor, University of Maharashtra Health Sciences; International Bonsai expert Dr. Prajakta Kale; and Dr. Bhagyashree Patil, Chairman and Executive Director of Dr. D. Y. Patil Abhimat University, Pimpri. A coffee table book titled ‘Laxmidatta’ reviewing the 125 years of work of Shri Datta Mandir was released by former President Pratibha Patil. An audio-visual film on the brief history of the Dutta Mandir was also shown on the occasion.
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, former President Pratibha Patil, Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of Pune District Ajit Pawar and State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, President of the Trust Adv. Pratap Pardeshi were present on the occasion.
UNI SP SHK1806