Pune: Kothrud Navratri Utsav by Creative Foundation and Late Vishwanath Bhelke Pratishthan to Begin Tomorrow with Social Initiatives and Cultural Programs

Pune:

The Kothrud Navratri Utsav is set to kick off tomorrow, October 3, at 11 a.m. with the ceremonial Ghatasthapana of Waghjai Devi at Bhelkewadi on DP Road, in front of Paranjape School, Kothrud. The festivities will begin with a vibrant performance by Ekdant Vadya Pathak in front of Devi’s mandap.

The festival is organised by the Creative Foundation, chaired by Sandeep Khardekar, in collaboration with Late Vishwanath Bhelke Pratishthan, led by President Vishal Bhelke, Trustees Umesh Bhelke, and Yuva chief of the festival Prateek Khardekar. The organisers emphasised that the event will not solely focus on cultural programs but also extend support to various social organisations. Necessary school supplies will be donated to Yesaji Kank School in Karandi village, Bhor, as part of their social responsibility initiative.

Sandeep Khardekar announced that several prominent figures from Pune’s industrial sector will be honoured during the festival. Sanjeev Arora and Manoj Hingorani, founder directors of Global Group, along with Arun Jindal, director of Western India Forging, will be felicitated for their contributions. These industrialists will be honoured by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Muralidhar Anna Mohol, and Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Chandrakant Dada Patil, for generating employment and boosting the local economy.

Mr. Sanjeev Arora and Mr. Manoj Hingorani, both truly Punekars, have leased “Built to Suit” spaces to over 100 multinational companies in areas like Pune, Chakan, and Hinjewadi through Global Group, creating thousands of jobs. Arun Jindal, through Western India Forging, has also made significant contributions in employment generation, further driving the economy forward.

Women festival chief and corporator Ms. Manjushree Khardekar, Ms. Shwetali Bhelke, Ms. Akshada Bhelke, and Ms. Kalyani Khardekar shared details of the cultural highlights. They informed that the political comedy play, “Game of Power” will be staged at Yashwantrao Chavan Theatre on October 5 at 9 p.m., followed by a Lavani performance, “Apsara Aali,” by Lavani Queen Archana Sawant on October 6 at noon at the same venue. Both events are free, and entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ms. Manjushree Khardekar also informed that a series of cultural and social events will take place during the festival. These include a Baljatra on October 8, Bhondla and a women’s Mahaarti followed by saree distribution to transgender individuals on October 9, Rasdandiya on October 11 and 12, and a Dandiya night on the occasion of Kojagiri Purnima on October 16.