Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey has urged Ganpati mandal workers to operate with a sense of social responsibility, setting a positive example for others to follow.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of the National Ganesh Festival Competition 2023, Choubey highlighted the cultural impact of the festival and the importance of maintaining this tradition with dignity and responsibility.

The event, organized by the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Public Ganpati Trust and Suvarnayug Tarun Mandal, saw participation from local dignitaries and recognized top-performing committees.

Present at the event were MLA Amit Gorakhe, Bhausaheb Bhoir, Trust President Manik Chavan, Vice President Sunil Rasne, Treasurer Mahesh Suryawanshi, General Secretary Hemant Rasne, Festival Head Akshay Godse, Assistant Secretary Amol Kedari, Suvarnayug Tarun Mandal President Prakash Chavan, Yatish Rasne, Saurabh Raikar, Mangesh Suryawanshi, Tushar Raikar, and competition coordinator Bapusaheb Dhamale, among others.

MLA Amit Gorakhe shared that his journey began as a worker in a Ganesh Mandal. Working with the mandal boosts confidence, enabling one to handle tasks both big and small.

This experience is beneficial in any future endeavor. He credited the Ganesh Mandal competition started by the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust for promoting social issues during the festival, giving it a more socially responsible image.

Hemant Rasane stated that this competition has been ongoing in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area for the past 32 years, with the aim of giving the festival a constructive and creative direction.

Thousands of volunteers are involved in the festival, and their efforts should benefit society and the country. He emphasized the importance of presenting the festival positively on the global map.

Mahesh Suryawanshi announced that the consistently top-ranking committees, including Jai Bajrang Tarun Mandal Pavale Uddan Bridge Nigdi, Jai Hind Mitra Mandal Trust Pradhikaran Nigdi, Landge Limbachi Talim Mandal Bhosari Gaothan, Pathare Landge Talim Mitra Mandal Bhosari, Gandhi Peth Talim Mitra Mandal Bhosari, and S.K.F Mitra Mandal Chinchwad, were honored with the Jai Ganesh Bhushan Award.

These committees will no longer participate in the competition, allowing newer committees to receive more encouragement.

In the competition, Sharyu Nagar Mitra Mandal of Nigdi Pradhikaran secured first place, Utkrisht Tarun Mitra Mandal of Chinchwadgaon came second, Season Group Social Welfare Trust of Old Sangvi came third, Damu Sheth Ghawane Mitra Mandal of Bhosari came fourth, and Azad Hind Mitra Mandal of Phugewadi secured fifth place.

A total of 198 mandals participated, with 103 winning prizes, amounting to a total of ₹12.88 lakh in awards. Mahesh Suryawanshi hosted the event.