Anjali Bhagwat Honored with Sai Award by Sainath Mandal Trust

Hard Work, Determination, and Blessings from Well-Wishers Are Key to Success: Anjali Bhagwat

Pune: “My sportsmanship was nurtured by the Ganesh Mandals in Mumbai, which played a pivotal role in shaping my career as a sportsperson. Only one athlete reaches the podium, and along with hard work and determination, the blessings and good wishes of well-wishers are equally important for that success,” said internationally renowned shooter Anjali Bhagwat. She further emphasized that in today’s time, preserving Hindutva is essential for social unity, and Ganesh Mandals should take the lead in this cause. These mandals contribute not only to social work but also to meaningful intellectual exchanges, she added.

Anjali Bhagwat was honored with the prestigious Sai Award by the Sainath Mandal Trust on April 6. The award ceremony was graced by MLA Hemant Rasane, President of Maharashtra State Literature and Culture Board Dr. Sadanand More, and former captain of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team and recipient of the Arjuna and Maharashtra Gaurav awards, Rekha Bhide. President of the Sainath Mandal Trust, Piyush Shah, and President of Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Mandal Trust, Sunil Rasane, were also present on stage. The event was held in the premises of Shri Saibaba Temple in Budhwar Peth, Pune. The award consisted of a traditional Pune-style tricolor turban, a shawl, a citation, and a memento. This was the 18th year of the award. The event began with traditional welcoming rituals performed by married women.

Receiving the award, Anjali Bhagwat expressed her gratitude, saying, “Receiving an award in the name of Sai is a blessing. The significance of an award lies in where and from whom it is received. The Sai Award is invaluable to me.” She also shared a personal memory, saying, “I had to wait a long time to get selected for the Sydney Olympics. At that time, my father went to Shirdi and prayed to Sai Baba, and the very next day I received the news of my selection.”

Dr. Sadanand More said that Pune has a rich tradition of Ganesh Mandals, which work not only during the Ganesh festival but all year round. He praised the moment as a “golden opportunity” (a confluence of excellence), seeing Anjali Bhagwat receive the award from Rekha Bhide. He added that “Sai” symbolizes shade or shelter, and this award represents the blessing of Sai’s protective shadow.

Rekha Bhide said, “I am a Sai devotee and have visited Shirdi many times since childhood. The members of the Sainath Mandal are doing commendable work with great enthusiasm. To move ahead in life, faith and patience are essential. Anjali Bhagwat is a very dedicated athlete and is an inspiration to the younger generation, which is truly admirable.”

MLA Hemant Rasane stated, “It is a matter of pride that Anjali Bhagwat, who has achieved great success in shooting, is being honored with the Sai Award by a legendary sportsperson from the hockey world, Rekha Bhide. This platform has brought together pioneering women in sports.”

In his introductory speech, Piyush Shah shared insights about the Sainath Mandal Trust’s work, stating, “In Pune, Ganesh Mandals play a vital role in the social sector. These mandals are the lifelines of the city. The purpose of this award ceremony is to connect hearts—from one to another.”

Guests were welcomed by Piyush Shah, Pravin Golwadekar, Prashant Pandit, and Prasad Bhoyarekar. The event was hosted and the citation was read by Jatin Pandey. Amar Rao, Narendra Vyas, Praveen Valvadekar, Shankar Nimbalkar, Prasad Bhoyarekar, Amit Dasani, Sanket Nimbalkar, and Prashant Pandit contributed to the success of the event. Piyush Shah delivered the vote of thanks.