A city cobbler, Kailash Parulekar, has been presented with the first `Aadarsh Pita Puraskaar’ (Ideal Father Award) on the 85th birth day celebration of Shree Vishwash Rao Deshmuk alias Bapuji. The coveted award was presented to him by Kamal Kishore Giriji Maharaj at an august ceremony at Anand Mohan Mathur Sabha Grih.
Under the award, Parulekar, a poor cobbler who notwithstanding his adverse financial condition groomed his two sons, helped them into higher education to attain a respectable position in the society, was presented with a `shawl’, `shreefal’ and a citation.Speaking on the occasion, the spiritual leader Bhaiyyji Maharaj said that `Aadarsh Pita Puraskaar’ in fact signifies the indomitable spirit of all those fathers who despite numerous struggles in their lives, help their progenies attain a respectable position in the society.
Besides, this function which has been organised to mark the 85th birth day of his father, is also intended to make the younger generation aware of the importance of fathers in their lives so that when they grow old, they get similar care and respect of their sons and daughters, the spiritual leader added.The function was presided over by Jaidutt Kshirsagar, Maharashtra Public Enterprises Minister, while Prakash Maharaj Bodhle and Saiyyad Irfaan Moin of Ajmer Sharif were special guests.
On the occasion, chief guest of the function, Kamal Kishore Giriji and other guests released two books, namely, `Pita Ek Sangharsh’ and `Our Father’, based on recollections of prominent people on their fathers.Bhaiyyu Maharaj said that the Trust under its Prisoners’ Reformation Scheme has so far helped 10 die-hard criminals lead a reformed life and now they have joined the mainstream of the society. “We have trained these former prisoners as priests to perform puja,” the spiritual leader added.
Trust chairman Sharad R Pawar said the Trust keeping in view the looming water crisis in the countryside of Madhya Pradesh has decided to donate 100 water tanks of 2,000 litre capacity in as many as 100 villages of Shujalpur district.