"Happy Birthday Sulakshana.. you have just been adopted," announce Anand Mahendroo, Papon, Shekhar Suman, Ismail Darbar...

It is not often that 28-year-olds burst into tears as they cut their birthday cake. But if you are Sulakshana, celebrating her first birthday ever in 28 years, cheered by family of 80 people, and friends, you sure will shed tears of happiness. So the words 80 family members caught your attention. The members we refer to are orphan kids who have come together to celebrate the birthday of one of their own. 

Cheering the radiant  birthday girl were celebs of the likes of Anand Mahendroo, Shekhar Suman, Papon, Ismail Darbar, Shrikant Bhartiya, and the beautiful couple Sareeka Gagan and Gagan Mahotra, who made this initiative possible.
"I am overwhelmed," said Sulakshana. "I was abandoned as an infant with my sister, with a note stating our names and birthdays. This is my first celebration in 28 years!"
Sulakshana today dedicates her life to more orphans like her who are at times even reduced to begging on the streets once they are out of orphanages on turning major, and lends them a helping hand.
But little did she expect that on turning 28, she would be adopted by the young couple Sareeka and Gagan Mahotra, who would promise to hold her hand for life!
"It feels wonderful," enthuses Sulakshana unable to hold back her tears. The couple merely puts it as something each of us should do. "We did what we should as we felt that way. There is nothing that is extraordinary in our action. We simply followed our heart,"  echo Sareeka and Gagan Mahotra.
This voice seems to have caught on as filmmaker-entrepreneur Anand Mahendroo not only threw open his Champak Studios in the heart of Andheri to share the sentiments of the couple, but invited his friends to join the children and welcoming them into his fold.
"It feels beautiful. Such initiatives turn this concrete jungle into homes with warm hearts,. There should be more such initiatives and we all should wholeheartedly participate," says an emotional Anand Mahendroo.
Shekhar Suman, Papon, Shrikant Bhartiya and Ismail Darbar who oblige enthusiastic selfies amid  conversations only agree in unison.

डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका ने एम्पल मिशन संस्था की और से एक अनुठी मुहीम चलाई।

डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका ने  एम्पल मिशन संस्था की और से  एक अनुठी मुहीम चलाई।  जनसामान्य लोगों के बीच तंबाकू के बारे में अधिक से अधिक जागरूकता फैलाना इस मुहीम का मकसद था। अनिल काशी मुरारका और उनकी  टीम के सदस्य  इस मुहीम  को यशस्वी बनाने के लिये मुंबई की सड़कों  पर उतरे, अलग अलग लोगो से मिले, उनके साथ बातचीत की , उन लोगों के जीवन के विभिन्न पहलुओं को जानने की  कोशिश की और अंत में उन्होंने विनम्रतापूर्वक उनसे धूम्रपान छोड़ने और तंबाकू उत्पादों का उपयोग करने से बचने का अनुरोध किया।

डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका ने कहा, “भारत में तंबाकू का उपयोग एक गंभीर समस्या है। शिक्षा का अभाव और उचित मार्गदर्शन की कमी, सहकारी दबाव और बच्चों में  गलतफहमी, तनाव और अन्य तम्बाकू उत्पादों और विज्ञापनो से  नए  लोग तंबाकू के उपयोग के लिए आकर्षित होते हैं ।और कई वर्षों से उनके उपभोग और दुरुपयोग में लगातार वृद्धि हो रही है । मुझे लगता है कि लोगों को शिक्षित करने का मतलब है कि वे स्वयं खुद की मदद कर सकते हैं

Ashish Shelar unveils Sangeeta Babani’s ‘Joyful Moments’, An Art Installation At Otters Club in the presence of Preeti Jhangiani, Jaswinder Singh, Swapna Mhatre, Vikram Rao, Samir and Dipalee Date

Sangeeta Babani, a distinguished artist also known for her art on cars, has conceptualized and created a unique mixed media 10 feet by 5 feet artwork. The said artwork, aptly titled ‘Joyful Moments’, was completed in a short span of just 3 months! Sangeeta has used various mediums in the said artwork, including wood, metal, sculpture paste et al, depicting the goings-on of the Otters Club. 

With two inch moulded frames, Sangeeta Babani’s exhibit has been installed on the 1st Floor of Otters Club, the area catering to the most elite crowd of Bandra! The painting was unveiled over high tea with esteemed guests from different walks from life. Besides Chief Guest Hon’ble Minister for School Education, Sports & Youth Welfare of Maharashtra Ashish Shelar, Corporator Swapna Mhatre, Actor Preeti Jhangiani, Ghazal singers Jaswinder Singh, Samir and Dipalee Date, Vikram Rao, Akshay and poet Chand were spotted at the exquisite art affair.

Artist Sangeeta Babani, raised in Spain and settled in Mumbai, has studied Arts in Spain, a country rich in art and culture. Being a proud Indian, the immense cultural diversity of India is naturally ingrained in her and has influenced her immensely! “With this art installation, I aim to encourage the younger lot to follow their creativity and passion,” she avers.

समाज सेवक डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका को प्रतिष्ठित 'भारत गौरव पुरस्कार २०१९' से नवाजा गया।

 

समाज सेवक डॉ अनिल काशी मुरारका को हाल ही में लन्दन में २०१९ का भारत गौरव पुरस्कार देकर सम्मानित किया गया । यह पुरस्कार समारोह 'हाऊस ऑफ कॉमन' में संपन्न हुआ। डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका को  देश के लिये कि गयी उत्कृष्ट सेवा और उत्कृष्ट व्यक्तिक सफलता  के लिये सम्मानित किया गया।  

डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका हमेशा से ही अपने मन की सुनते आये है, अपने देश में वो बिना किसी प्रसिद्धि समाजसेवा क्षेत्र में निरंतर कार्यरत रहते हैं। वो कहते हैं, "जब भी किसी व्यक्ति  को उनके कार्य के लिये विशेष तौर से अंतराष्टीय स्तर पर सम्मानित किया जाता है  तो वो ख़ुशी कुछ अलग ही होती है जिसे हम बयान नहीं कर सकते।

साल 2015 में, डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका ने समाज में सकारात्मक बदलाव लाने के प्रयास में सामाजिक जागरूकता संस्था एम्पल मिशन की स्थापना की। उनके हाल ही में हुए अभियानों में आदिवासी महिलाओं को सैनिटरी पैड वितरित करना, एसिड अटैक से बचे लोगों की मदद करना; दिव्यांग छात्रों के लिए स्पोर्ट्स डे  का आयोजन, स्टेशन के पास यात्रा करने वाले यात्रियों को गर्मी की तपिश से कुछ राहत मिल सके इसलिए नींबू पानी का वितरण और मालवणी में झील इंग्लिश स्कूल के छात्रों के लायब्रेरी के लिए पुस्तकें उपलब्ध करके देना, इस तरह की विभिन्न गतिविधियों का समावेश हैं।

डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका को भारत गौरव पुरस्कार २०१९ का प्रतिष्ठित पुरस्कार मिलने  कि ख़ुशी बयान करते हुए कहते हैं, "पुरस्कार से अधिक ख़ुशी मुझे परोपकारी कार्य करने  में होती हैं । और जिस भावनाओं को लेकर हम कार्य करते हैं और उससे प्रभावित होकर के निस्वार्थ रूप से जो लोग योगदान करते हैं तब मुझे बहुत ख़ुशी होती है और वह मेरे लिए किसी परुष्कार से कम नहीं है ,तब मुझे लगता है की में अपने अभियान में सफल हो रहा हूँ।''

Dhvani Parag Dalal, daughter of Audiologist-Speech Therapist Devangi Dalal, is representing India in the International Folk Dance Competition held at Istanbul, Turkey. Participating in the International Culture & Art festivities where dancers from over 28 countries are participating, Dhvani has made India proud. Kudos to her!

Audiologist-Speech Therapist Devangi Dalal featured in Grihashobha

Rekha Chaudhari Awarded Philosophiae Doctor Honoris Causa by Sorbon University, France

With skin being in following the boom in the beauty business, it’s only natural that beauty & wellness champions get their moment in the sun!

In this case, MD - Oneline Wellness Pvt. Ltd., and Queen of Spas and the wellness industry, Rekha Chaudhari was recently felicitated with the Philosophiae Doctor Honoris Causa honour at the 5th Sorbon International Convocation held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Organised by Dr John Thomas Prade from Sorbon University, France, in conjunction with the IIPPT Foundation India, Rekha Chaudhari was honoured in the field of Health & Wellness at the conclave.

An elated Global Wellness Ambassador Dr Rekha Chaudhari reveals, “Twenty- five years ago, when I came to the city to pursue a career in the field of beauty, times were tough and it was the same when I transitioned into the spa & wellness space. I just kept working hard as the road to success is seldom smooth.”

Global wellness Ambassador Dr.Rekha Chaudhari continues, “I am glad I got the opportunity to associate with award-winning European skincare and SPA  brands such as Rémy Laure, Phytomer, ASP and B.LAB. Also got honoured with many prestigious organisations worldwide to explore and work in the wellness industry last decade. 

Be it setting up the high-end luxury Spa across the world and having Own popular Caressaa Day Spa  Juhu or my various patented treatments such as the Geo Thermo Therapy and Rope Massage Therapy, they have all found their niche following. We have also successfully  trained   Tribal youth in beauty & wellness capacities in our various village schools  and successfully transformed there life by offering them jobs in the cities Spa and Salons .” It’s all these activities that lead to another laurel in her cap!

She affirms, “I am grateful to Dr. John Thomas Prade from Sorbon University, France, for conferring this prestigious honour on me! It feels nice to be recognised for your contributions in your chosen vocation.”