Pune: The Suryadatta Education Foundation’s Bansi Ratna Charitable Welfare Trust honored stalwarts who have contributed tremendously to society with the ‘Bansi-Ratna National Awards,’ given in memory of Ratanbai and Bansilal Chordiya. The first ‘Bansi-Ratna Ideal Family National Award’ was presented to Adv. SK Jain and his family, while the ‘Bansi-Ratna Ideal Parents National Award’ was given to the couple Ashabai and Ramanlal Lunkad.
Shobha Dhariwal received the ‘Samaj Ratna’ award, Popatlal Ostwal was honored with the ‘Samaj Shiromani,’ Subhash Lalwani received the ‘Samaj Bhushan,’ Manik Duggad was given the ‘Guru Seva,’ and Shekhar Mundada received the ‘Manav Seva’ National Award 2024. This marked the seventh year of the awards, which included a certificate of honor, a memento, and a special scarf designed by Suryadatta’s students. Additionally, meritorious students from the Jain community who excelled in their 10th and 12th grades were honored with certificates of merit, gold medals, and mementos.
The program, held at the Shri Vardhaman Shwetambar Sthanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh in Bibvewadi, was presided over by Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muniji. Notable attendees included veteran industrialist and social worker Viththalseth Maniyar, Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale (Retd.), musician Abu Malik, B.K. Dashrath Bhai from Brahma Kumaris, Founder President of the Bansi-Ratna Charitable Welfare Trust Prof. Dr. Sanjay B. Chordiya, Vice President Sushma Chordiya, Associate Vice President Snehal Navlakha, Dr. Kimaya Gandhi, Digital Strategy Officer Siddhant Chordiya, Chief Operating Officer Akshit Kushal, Director Prashant Pitalia, and Principal Ajit Shinde.
On the occasion, Viththalseth Maniyar expressed his gratitude and said, “Our parents’ values, sacrifices, and dedication shape who we become. Society also plays a part in this. However, we can never truly repay the debt we owe to our parents. The real joy lies in being indebted to them. The initiative taken by Sushma and Sanjay Chordia to honor individuals who continue to do good work without forgetting their parents and society is commendable.”
Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muniji stated, “Each individual honored here has created a unique place in society. This award is a recognition of their service. Indian culture is rooted in service, sacrifice, and dedication. By honoring such ideal personalities, Sanjay and Sushma Chordia are working to shape the new generation. Their positive thoughts inspire us all.”
Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale remarked, “There is a need today for people who work with a dedicated spirit for society and the nation. The Suryadatta Education Foundation is working to instill this sentiment in the new generation. To achieve this, they are bringing forward individuals who have done commendable work in society and honoring them in front of the students. This will help in the creation of a better generation.”
Prof. Dr. Sanjay B. Chordiya explained, “This award ceremony is organized in memory of the parents who shaped us through their social and religious work. From this year onwards, we will honor ideal families and individuals who serve as mentors in society. The values and teachings given by our parents help in shaping a generation that contributes to the progress of the nation, and ‘Suryadatta’ will always take the lead in this endeavor.”
Shobha Dhariwal added, “We should instill the values of planting trees along with wealth in the future generation. While wealth is necessary for living, oxygen is even more important. We must work with the sentiment that we owe something to society. I feel happy to contribute to the fields of health and the environment.”
Adv. SK Jain and B.K. Dashrath Bhai also shared their thoughts. Prof. Dr. Sanjay B. Chordiya provided a briefing about the awards during the introductory speech. Manisha Karnawat and Prashant Pitalia hosted the event. Sushma Chordiya expressed her gratitude, and the singing performances by Abu Malik and his colleagues won the hearts of the audience.
