Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: The ‘Shiv Jayanti Mahotsav’ was celebrated at Shree Mallikarjun & Chetan Manju Desai College of Dnyan Prabodhini Mandal, in association with the Tourism Department Goa on Thursday, paying rich tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj through lectures, felicitation ceremonies and cultural programmes.
The celebrations began with a grand procession across the college premises to the rhythmic beats of lezim. Floral tributes were offered to the idol of Shivaji Maharaj, setting a reverent and patriotic tone for the event.
Shri Maruti Aba Gole, the 14th descendant of Narveer Pilaji Gole and infantry chief of the Hindavi Swarajya established by Shivaji Maharaj, attended as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present included Suhas Phal Desai, President of Akhil Gomantak Kshatriya Maratha Samaj; Prof. (Dr.) Manoj S. Kamat, Principal of Shrinivas Sinai Dhempo College of DCT; Sanket Arsekar, President of Akhil Gomantak Shivpremi Sanghatana; social worker and entrepreneur Siddhesh Salunke; Centro Promoter de Instrucao Chairman Shamba Molu Desai; President of Dnyan Prabodhini Mandal Chetan Manju Desai; Pro-Principal Dr. Rupa Chari; and Programme Coordinator Ms. Sanija Desai, among others.
On the occasion, the book Shivajiva authored by Dr. Mithil Phal Desai, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, was formally released at the hands of Chetan Manju Desai and Shamba Molu Desai.
Delivering the keynote address at the 11th Memorial Lecture Series on the theme “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Today’s Generation,” Maruti Aba Gole emphasised that today’s youth must imbibe the management skills, leadership qualities and ethical values exemplified by Shivaji Maharaj. Sanket Arsekar, Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kamat and Suhas Phal Desai also addressed the gathering.
In recognition of their contributions in various fields, Adv. Praveen Phal Desai, Baban Vinayak Bhagat, Dr. Rohit Phal Gaonkar, Mrs. Varsha Raut Desai and Prof. Rodney Fernandes were honoured with the Dr. Jiblo Naik Gaunkar Memorial Award, Jaysinghrao Rane Memorial Award, Dr. Pundalik Gaitonde Memorial Award, Ashalata Babgaunkar Memorial Award and Alfred Afonso Memorial Award, respectively. Additionally, Ramdas B. Sawant and Raunak Ramdas Phaldesai received special felicitation from Dnyan Prabodhini Mandal.
The programme concluded on a high note, celebrating the enduring legacy and inspirational ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
