Activities

The Mandal established the public library and provided first aid facilities to the people. A grievance redressal center came into existence. 5% of the collected donation amount was given for cleanliness. During the period of scarcity, the ‘Na Na Nafa Na Tota Kendra’ was run by the activists by wiping rickshaws, cars, and scooters and donated money to the Sakal Relief Fund for the flood-affected people. During the time of coin shortage, the coins collected in front of Bappa were provided to the citizens, *, and books worth thousands of rupees were distributed.

A burst of works started one after the other. As the workers devoted themselves, waves of new ideas of enthusiasm were coming. Morya, who took vows, was giving abundant boons of success.

The seeds of Ganesha devotion, public service, and patriotism were sown. We received the 3rd prize of the Municipal Corporation in 1978. The next year the same prize was awarded the second rank and the next year we won the same prize by the first rank.

This felt like taking steps towards invincibility. During this period, ‘Shri’ Lord Ganeshas temple came into existence in the Subhash Nagar colony with the cooperation of Anna Saheb Vaishampayan. Sahastra Bhojan of Ganesha devotees was successfully completed. Now in front of ‘Shri’ Lord Ganesha, the collective chanting of Atharvashirsha by the students of the famous schools, the bhajans of the women’s class started. Due to the public service of the workers who strived for the facilities of the elderly. Every one of us felt the inviolable unity in the Mandal, and its name simply rosed continuously across the Pune area.

By the grace of Vighnahartya Srigajanana, a great path of humanity was enjoyed by the Mandal. The blood donation initiative was accomplished through Shantilal Suratwala. Activists were overwhelmed and started collecting as much blood as possible to save lives.

In the year 1990, the Mandal donated nearly 2000 bottles of blood for free and due to which the Maharashtra government won the award. This was a record-breaking success of the first public panel of Hutatma Babu Genu Mandal Trusting the history of Pune city.

Babu Genu Mandal Trust was available to provide free blood and with this initiative, the board raised the pride of every worker, and the name of Babu Genu Mandal Trust who shed blood for the nation was worth it! The board conducted a successful secret blood donation drive for injured Indian soldiers in the deadly conflict with Sri Lanka and a series of blood donation drives began. Along with it, the board continued its substantial work in the fields of education, health, and public awareness. In the city of Pune, the worldliness and prestige of the Mandal were growing. Aid to the common man, Aid to the destitute elderly gave the Mandal numerous links of concern.

The following year, which turned out to be the winner of the awards, it won the Municipal Corporation’s prestigious award for the Shiv Jayanti festival, which has now become first place. Police Commissioner’s Vighnaharta award was given to the team which remained disciplined throughout the festival. The team was felicitated by Sassoon General Hospital for its valuable performance in blood donation. Numerous camps and maximum blood donation during the year were a remarkable success.

By the grace of Ganaraya, the Mandal’s dekhavas were becoming immensely popular. On the brink of the lucky Silver Jubilee, under the leadership of board president Babasaheb Marne, an important event in history took place and the trust of the Board continued to rise in service and popularity. Strength and efficiency increased.

Then came the silver festival in a big way! A grand sports competition was organized on the occasion with shining footsteps. It was hugely successful. By adopting an innovative way of publishing the book ‘Pahatwara’ by morning news reporter Malhar Aran Kale, the board won the praise of Pune residents. The tradition of celebrating the Shiv Jayanti festival with Sangeet Mahotsav started. Shiv Shaurya began to soak in the even tone, the workers started to get energized.

The working hours of the board were constantly expanding. The Dekhavas’ were breaking the peak of the crowd. The crowd was so inspired by the work that they gave donations and Dakshina. The Mandal again topped in Pune city due to their decision to start a new practice with a very transparent attitude, which is to publicly announce every item and money received from the society.

Important Initiatives by the Board of Hutatma Babu Genu Mandal Trust

• To protect the health of the rising generation in the Pune city
• Regular cleaning of water tanks in schools
• Chemical testing of water was started by the board
• Substantial assistance was also provided for heart surgery to needy people who contacted
• Started showing slide shows about animals and birds to spread the environment
• Plants were distributed on a large scale

We thought that the Education-Art-Sports-Knowledge-Skills should be encouraged and thus Board started giving the ‘Hutatma Babu Genu Award’. The elders were honoured with due respect. ‘Hutatma Babu Genu Award’ became extremely prestigious. National sentiment, as well as social commitment, was awakened in the mind of the board. Therefore, hearing the call of time, a check of Rs 1 lakh was given for the rehabilitation of the brave soldiers by reducing the celebration expenses.

To solve the problems of small businessmen, the Board took the initiative by distributing guide books to the unemployed and educated youth. The march continued unabated with the flag of Ganaraya, the flag of Chatrapati, and the torch of Babu Genu proudly in their hands. By accepting the title of grand competition of senior and junior groups at the Pune district level, the board made the competition successful.

At the beginning of the new millennium, two events worth writing in golden letters took place in the history of the Mandal. A jewelled gold necklace weighing150 tola (unit mass) was donated to Lord Ganesha. The crowd gathered to see the Chandramukhi Mahal in the movie ‘Devdas’ acted by Nitin Chandrakant Desai.

Taking up the welfare work of the rehabilitation of the convicts, the Board provided two television sets in Yerawada Jail. Adopted a village during heavy rains. Necessary items were provided to the distressed people. On the 75th death anniversary of Martyr Babu Genu, a grand Krantijyot was lit. Against superstition, the Cultural program was concluded.

The good looks of the circle had blossomed. Art college students and teachers flocked to see the masterpieces of King Ravi Varma. Vishwajani Ratha on the theme “Aai’’ won a place in the hearts of Punekar.

The board has also taken proactive decisions during the time of crisis by cancelling the Dahi Handi festival and distributing one lakh masks during the sudden outbreak of swine flu.

The temple of ‘Shri’ Lord Ganesha was restored with the entire pavilion and premises were brought into CCTV camera range. Just like that, a devotee came and paid the said Navas (vows) to ‘Shri’ Lord Ganesha. Then numerous devotees came who took the vow and declared that it had been fulfilled. Vows started being fulfilled and spoken even after coming from abroad. The compassionate Morya of ‘Babu Genu’ started fulfilling everyone’s wishes. It became a place of worship. Shri’ Lord Ganesha of ‘Babu Genu Mandal Trust soon was recognized as “Navsacha Ganpati”.

Responding to the appeal of ‘Sakaal’, the board provided a lot of help for ‘Bus Day’. The entire city watched the dance bang competition with appreciation. The winner was given a cash prize of one lakh and five thousand.

The splendor of the scenes and the havoc of the crowd have become the formula of Mandal’s Ganeshotsav. Keeping the same tradition, taking the wealth of social service, working for the welfare of people, giving full support to the people, the government, and the administration, and celebrating many festivals and festivals, the circle has reached its glorious golden jubilee.