16th Jan 2012 : Both “LOHRI & MAKAR SANKRANTI” were celebrated on 15th Jan 2012 at NMMC Ground, Sector – 04, Vashi, Navi Mumbai with great enthusiasm. It was a rare example of a joint celebration displaying the cultural of Punjab and Maharashtra promising a further boost to the secular sprit.The “LOHRI” fire was lit by the Honorable Shri Ganesh Naik, Guardian Minister Thane in the presence a huge gathering. He distributed “TIL & GUR” as per the traditional greetings on Makar Sakranti. Shri Sanjiv Naik, Honorable Member of Parliament, Shri Sandeep Naik, MLA and Shri Sagar Naik, Honorable Mayor of Navi Mumbai joined him along with presidents of all Gurudwaras of Navi Mumbai, Chairman of Punjabi Cultural & Welfare Association (PCWA) and prominent personalities of Navi Mumbai. .
A colorful Punjabi cultural program organized under the banner of “NAVI MUMBAI SAHITYA & SANSKRUTI PARISHAD” and patronage of Shri Sagar Naik, Mayor of Navi Mumbai being the first such cultural mix. He closely monitored the function from start to end. With the result, the function was an outright success ushering in a new era of cultural harmony amongst the people of Navi Mumbai with different faiths.
Supreme Council Navi Mumbai Gurudwaras (SCNMG) & Punjabi Cultural & Welfare Association (PCWA) one of the permanent members of the Supreme Council provided their full support to organize this function. Lieutenant Commander (I. N.) (Retd.) Gurbux Singh, Chairman (PCWA), Shri Mehar Singh Randhawa, President of Airoli Gurudwara & General Secretary (SCNMG) and Shri Devender Singh Kalsi, President of Navi Mumbai Sikh Welfare Association put in every effort to make this program a success. A renowned Punjabi cultural troupe of “JOLLY TIME INTERNATIONAL GROUP” from Mumbai presented a full length Punjabi songs and dance items from popular Punjabi films/Punjabi folk, this remittance of the evergreen melodies of yesteryears sung by Mrs. Suriender Kaur, Mr. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Shri Gurdass Maan & others.
Shri Sagar Naik, Mayor of Navi Mumbai on behalf of all the participants welcomed and felicitated the Guardian Minister. He promised the gathering of organizing similar such programs pertaining to community, residing in Navi Mumbai.
Shri Mehar Singh Randhawa, General Secretary of SCNMG, in his welcome address spared no praising in commending Shri Ganesh Naik for his unbiased & stranger forward approach. “As long as he is there in chair, socio-religious harmony is guaranteed in Navi Mumbai”, he maintained.
Guardian Minister Shri Ganesh Naik, in his presidential address, expressed his firm faith in famous words of “LIVE & LET LIVE” philosophy. He appreciated the presidents of all Gurudwaras of Navi Mumbai, Chairman of Punjabi Cultural & Welfare Association and the “SIKH SADH SANGAT” for always supporting a just cause. Shri Ganesh Naik also infolded a pleasant surprise announcing the joint celebration on “BAISAKHI” festival in April 2012 with the active support of Supreme Council Navi Mumbai Gurudwaras & PCWA. He narrated the bravery of Maratha’s and Sikh Soldiers who always fought & sacrificed their lives to defend the honor of our country. Navi Mumbai is going to a future International City. It is a city free from any communal tension and will always remain so in future, he concluded. The minister felicitated all the presidents of Navi Mumbai Gurudwaras, local dignitaries and the organizers.