10 persons honoured for their contribution to society

The Hirdayvasi Seva Samiti, which has been providing meal services at Mandi District Hospital for several years, held its annual ceremony on the occasion of Shri Sathya Sai Baba’s birth anniversary here yesterday.

The event held on the temple premises in Paddal ward saw the felicitation of 10 distinguished individuals for their significant contribution to society.

Prominent personalities of the town and representatives from various social organisations attended the event. The Samiti honoured following personalities: renowned religious scholar Pandit Yogesh Sharma, storyteller Pandit Pankaj Sharma, Kargil War hero Brig Khushal Thakur, social worker Harmit Singh Bittu, surgeon and head of the department at Nerchowk Medical College Prof Parikshit Malhotra, celebrated authors Murari Sharma and Satyamahesh Sharma, journalist Munish Sood, Mandiyali Dham expert Tara Boti, and writer Vinod Bahl who has brought a new identity to Mandiyali literature.

The event also featured special guests, including Swami Soham Muni Udasin, Mayor of Mandi Municipal Corporation Virender Bhatt, INTACH Coordinator Naresh Malhotra, president of the Seva Samiti Suresh Bisht, OP Malhotra, TL Vaidya, former chairperson of the Women’s Commission Krishna Tandon. The Samiti honoured the recipients with shawls, mementos and certificates of appreciation.

Dr Devender Thakur and event coordinator Raman Bisht shared insights about the achievements and life stories of the notable personalities honoured at the event.

During the ceremony, Kamal Vaidya was awarded gold medal for his services and other gold medals were presented to Youth Wing members Yuktishwar Bisht, chef Lekhu and Nakul. Three female members Leela, Anjana Malhotra and Dharma, who are over 90 years old and have been associated with the organisation for decades, were also honoured.

In recognition of their involvement in service activities, children Shivansh and Devansh were also presented with medals. The ceremony also included the launch of book ‘Chhoti Kashi Ke Dev Utsav’ by writer and literary figure Satyamahesh Sharma.

Kamal Vaidya, treasurer of Hirdayvasi Seva Samiti, said in the past year the committee had provided meal services to 412,244 people at the Mandi Zonal Hospital, at a total expenditure of Rs 48 lakh. The organisation’s secretary, Shanta, gave a detailed report on the various activities carried out by the committee throughout the year.

The event saw participation from several organisations, including Namdhari Sangat, Neeldhari Sangat, Bir Mandal, Rotary Club, Bharatiya Sanskritik Nidhi, Gau Seva, Shri Sathya Sai Seva Samiti, Press Club and others.