"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.

Rajniesh Duggall, Nazia Hussain, Pooja Bisht, Rajiv S Ruia & Ravinder Jeet Dariya At Mushkil Promotional Event

Actors Rajniesh Duggall, Nazia Hussain and Pooja Bisht, director Rajiv S Ruia and Producer Ravinder Jeet Dariya were spotted at Bombay Cocktail Bar, Andheri West, at a promotional event of their film, Mushkil - Fear Behind You, all set to hit the marquee on 9th August, 2019. 

Shot in breathtakingly beautiful locales, directed by Rajiv S Ruia and produced by Ravinder Jeet Dariya, under the banner Big Bat Films, Mushkil – Fear Behind You is the story of four friends who end up at a forbidden castle… a castle they should not have entered! With the universal belief where the righteous good always ends the evil, Mushkil - Fear Behind You is all set to the triumph of good in the Universe. Yours is to check out the film at a theatre near you! 

तंबाखू विरोधी जागरूकता अभियान

 डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका यांनी त्यांच्या अँपल मिशन ह्या संस्थेसोबत एक आगळीवेगळी मोहीम राबवली. ही मोहीम जनसामान्यांमध्ये टोबॅको संदर्भात जास्तीत जास्त जागृकता निर्माण व्हावी ह्यासाठी योजली गेली होती. डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका त्यांच्या टीम सोबत मुंबईच्या रस्त्यावर उतरले, वेगवेगळ्या लोकांना भेटले त्यांच्या आयुष्यातील  वेगवेगळे पैलूं जाणून घेतले आणि त्यांच्याशी सवांद साधला आणि शेवटी नम्रपणे त्यांना धूम्रपान सोडण्यास आणि तंबाखू उत्पादनांचा वापर करण्यापासून दूर राहण्याची विनंती केली.

डॉ. अनिल काशी मुरारका म्हणाले, "तंबाखूचा वापर हा भारतातील एक गंभीर समस्या आहे. कमी शिक्षित आणि योग्य मार्गदर्शनचा अभाव, सहकारी दबाव आणि मुलांमध्ये वरिष्ठांचे अनुकरण करण्याचा आग्रह, गैरसमज, तणाव आणि विविध प्रकारच्या सुलभ उपलब्धता तंबाखू उत्पादने आणि नाविन्यपूर्ण जाहिराती लोकांना तंबाखूच्या वापराकडे आकर्षित करतात आणि बऱ्याच वर्षांपासून त्यांचा वापर आणि गैरवर्तन यामध्ये सतत वाढ झाली आहे. आपण जितके करू शकतो तितके आपण करावे, मला वाटते की लोकांना शिक्षित केले तर ते स्वत: ची मदत करू शकतात."

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.

Philanthropist Dr Aneel Kashi Murarka bags esteemed Bharat Gaurav Award 2019

Philanthropist Dr. Aneel Kashi Murarka was recently bestowed with the 2019 Bharat Gaurav Award in London. With the award ceremony being held at the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, he was honoured for his distinguished services to his nation and outstanding achievements in the individual capacity.
Having followed his heart while helping and servicing his fellow countrymen, Dr Aneel Kashi Murarka has never thought of recognition! “It does feel good, especially when one is honoured for what one does on an international platform,” he admits.

In 2015, Ample Missiion, a social awareness organization helmed by Dr Aneel Kashi Murarka, was set up with the hope to transform the society through awareness and timely action. Some of Ample Missiion’s latest campaigns include distributing sanitary pads to tribal women; helping acid attack survivors; organizing a sports day campaign for the specially abled, where the youth were educated on the challenges faced by the differently abled; helping people on the streets beat the summer heat wave by distributing lemonade, caps & earthen pots; and gifting a library to students of the Zeal English School in Malwani. Apart from these noble heartwarming initiatives, Ample Missiion also organizes Bharat Prerna Awards for the specially abled and Shoorveer Awards to felicitate ordinary people who have achieved extraordinary acts of bravery.

“More than the award itself, the very feeling of being acknowledged for what you are doing for the society is what is priceless! I believe even if some people are inspired to contribute selflessly after seeing what I do, I have succeeded in my mission,” he explains.

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