Puneites Witness Thrill of Punit Balan Group’s Common Dahi-Handi

Pune, 28th August 2024: Puneites experienced the thrill of a collective Dahi-Handi celebration organised by Punit Balan Group (PBG) by bringing together 35 mandals on Tuesday (August 27).

Amidst the raising of the slogan ‘Govinda Re Gopala’, reverberating beats of Dhol-Tasha, attractive lighting and foot-tapping DJ music, a sea of youths participated in the electrifying celebrations. The Shivtej Dahi-Handi Sangh broke Dahi-Handi by raising a seven-layer human pyramid and won the trophy at historic Lal Mahal Chowk.

Young Entrepreneur Punit Balan decided to hold a common Dahi-Handi celebration by bringing together 35 Ganesh mandals, which supported and participated in it. The intention behind the common function was to avoid traffic congestion and lessen the burden of security on the police force.

The common Dahi-Handi celebration was organised at the historic Lal Mahal Chowk on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road. The Dahi-Handi looked attractive due to the lighting arrangement. The programme started at 4 pm. The entire surrounding reverberated with the beats of Samarth, Nadbrahma, Shiv Mudra and Yuva Vadya Pathak Dhol-Tasha troupes. They enthused the crowds gathered to witness the celebration. DJ music added to the zing in the atmosphere. Occasional showers and crowds of youths took the enthusiasm to the zenith. Women and young people were gathered in large numbers. Around 20 Govinda teams gathered to break Dahi-Handi attracting spectators’ attention. An all-women Govinda team from Chembur, Mumbai stood out among them.

The Shiv Tej Dahi-Handi Sangh raised seven layers of a human pyramid and broke the first common Dahi-Handi around 9.30 pm. Organiser Punit Balan and actor Pravin Tarde presented the winner’s trophy and felicitated the Govinda team.

Oraganiser Punit Balan, Manikchand Oxyrich President Janhavi Dhariwal Balan welcomed the spectators. Actor Pravin Tarde, Maharashtra Kesri Sikandar Shaikh and eminent people from all walks of life were present.

“I thank all mandals, which participated in the common Dahi-Handi celebration. I am also thankful to Puneites, who enthusiastically participated in the function. The Police Department took care of the security of all the people present. Thus, the programme concluded successfully”, said entrepreneur Punit Balan.