Pune: As India basks in the joy of Ganeshotsav, the festival has found its way into the hearts and homes of Indians residing abroad, with many celebrating with equal fervor.

One such effort to keep the festive spirit alive overseas was made by the Florida-based organization "Vitamin M," which hosted a unique online Ganeshotsav decoration competition.

This virtual competition, conducted on WhatsApp, brought together participants, organizers, judges, and spectators, creating a vibrant community event.

For the past several years, Vitamin M has been organizing this competition to encourage creativity and cultural expression among Indian diaspora members, particularly in the U.S.

The format is simple yet engaging: participants are given the first two days of the festival to submit their decoration entries, after which a panel of art experts reviews them and announces the winners two days later.

This year’s competition witnessed a huge response, with Kshitija Deshpande and Nilay Kulkarni winning the top prize for their visually stunning decoration depicting the moment Suryakumar Yadav took a spectacular catch during the final match of the T-20 World Cup. Their intricate design beautifully combined creativity and a nod to India’s love for cricket, impressing the judges.

The second prize was divided between two teams: Ashwini Pawar’s family, who created a captivating 'Vitthal-Rukmini' themed decoration, and the trio of Sukhada Gokhale, Neel Gokhale, and Anusha Mule, who presented an 'Upcycling Theme,' showcasing the use of recycled materials in their design. The judges for the competition were Manjusha Naik, a trustee of the Brihan Maharashtra Mandal, and art expert Sheetal Sogal.

Vitamin M's director, Yashashree Deshpande, emphasized the significance of the competition. "The aim that Lokmanya Tilak had when he first initiated the public celebration of Ganeshotsav is being achieved through this online platform," she said. "It helps Indians abroad stay connected with their roots while fostering creativity and community spirit."

Vitamin M has been a cornerstone of the Marathi community in the U.S. for the past six years, organizing various initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization became even more active, providing free grocery deliveries to households and distributing around 300 saplings to promote environmental sustainability.

These efforts even caught the attention of All India Radio, which highlighted the organization’s contributions in a special feature.

This year’s Ganeshotsav decoration competition not only celebrated the spirit of the festival but also reinforced the bond between Indian traditions and the diaspora, ensuring that culture continues to thrive across borders.