Pune’s Spread Happiness Foundation Celebrates Anna Bhau Sathe Jayanti with Prestigious Awards Ceremony
Pune, 14th August 2023: On the eve of Anna Bhau Sathe Jayanti, Pune-based NGO, Spread Happiness Foundation, paid tribute to two great social reformers, Pandit Sri Utkal Mani Gopabandhu Das and Anna Bhau Sathe, through a spectacular awards ceremony. This event brought together grassroots-level social workers and NGOs from Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, fostering a platform for collaboration and celebration of their collective efforts.
The highlight of the evening was the presence of Mr. Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, a prominent member of the legislative assembly of Odisha, who graced the occasion as the chief guest. Patnaik’s remarkable contributions to cultural preservation, Odia heritage, and leadership in organizing impactful blood donation camps were acknowledged with the prestigious Utkal Mani Gopabandhu Award. His dedication to social service was commended by all in attendance.
The event was further dignified by the presence of Bhagawan Rao Vairat, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), who attended as the guest of honor. Vairat lauded the Chairman of Spread Happiness Foundation for their unwavering commitment to social service and their team’s profound impact on communities.
Local Indian National Congress leader MLA Ravi Dhangekar also extended his appreciation to the Spread Happiness Foundation for their selfless contributions to society on a nationwide scale. The event was further graced by the presence of the General Secretary of the NGO, Anand Mahapatro, who warmly welcomed and greeted the esteemed guests.
The awards ceremony not only recognized the exceptional work of Spread Happiness Foundation but also highlighted the contributions of numerous individuals and NGOs dedicated to the betterment of society. The evening was also adorned with a captivating cultural program, where talented artists showcased diverse state folk dances including Odishi, Bihu, Ravindra Nath Tagore dance, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Sambalpuri, and Lavani. The performances underscored the rich tapestry of India’s cultural heritage.
Key members of the Spread Happiness Foundation, including Satya Das, Baijyanti Barik, Srikant Parida, Bijay Behera, Akshya Jena, Saroj Roul, Abhishek Prasad, and Deep Mohanty, came together in unity to ensure the success of the evening. Students from Symbiosis and JSPM College enthusiastically engaged themselves in attending and assisting the invited guests, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere.
As the event drew to a close, Tushar Mohanta, the Advisor of the awards ceremony, expressed gratitude and extended a heartfelt vote of thanks to all participants and attendees. The people of Pune, known as Punekars, showered praise on Spread Happiness Foundation for orchestrating such a unique and culturally enriching program. This event not only facilitated cultural exchange but also fostered a sense of brotherhood and unity, embodying the spirit of the great social reformers it aimed to honor.
