Celebrations of Basant Panchami started here in Shantikunj with an inter- degree college debate competition. The presentation of Nivedita Srivastava of DSVV was adjudged first while those of Rajendra Rai and Gayatri Sahu stood second and third respectively. In other competition involving oratory, Pallavi Bhardwaj of DSVV stood first while Anita Upadhaya of SSDPC PG College Roorkee stood second. Through cultural presentations, participants urged the people to make the river Ganga clean. Certificates and medals were distributed to the winners.
A rally was taken out from Gayatri Teerth to Saptsarovar and Geeta Kutir. In the rally, students of NSS, Scout and Guides, DSVV students and thousands of followers of Shantikunj family were present. On this occasion, the head of Gayatri Pariwar Dr Pranav Pandya along with Shail Bala Pandya inaugurated newly constructed reception hall, cassette hall, book stall and flex printing machine situated on Haridwar – Rishikesh highway.