Ambedkar Jayanti 2026 Celebrated with Grand Procession at Pride World City Pune

Lohgaon, 16th April 2026: A multi-faceted joint birth anniversary celebration was held with enthusiasm at Pride World City in Charholi, where residents paid tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Krantisurya Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.

The event, organised by Prabuddha Vichar Manch, marked the 135th birth anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and brought together residents in large numbers. The celebrations featured a range of activities, including enlightening speeches, strong participation by women, cultural performances by children, an extensive book exhibition highlighting Ambedkar’s love for literature, and a grand evening procession with illuminated chariots.

The book exhibition was inaugurated at 10 am at the Manhattan Community Hall by Dr. Vishal Ghorpade, who encouraged residents to visit and explore the collection. The exhibition, which remained open until 7 pm, covered a wide range of subjects including social reform, politics, history, sports, and health.

At the Long Island Community Hall, the cultural programme began with floral tributes to the icons by event by Nanda Sontakke and other dignitaries, followed by a Buddha Vandana. Children aged between 2 and 18 years presented a variety of performances, including drawing, singing, dance, piano recitals, speeches, and short skits dressed as Savitribai Phule and Dr. Ambedkar.

Several dignitaries delivered speeches during the programme, including Ashwini Kapure, Vice President at Kotak Bank; Rajnandini Bhagwat, Assistant Commissioner; Harshal Kotale, Deputy Commissioner, GST; Dr. Sukhdeve, former manager at RBI; Dr. Sonika Kapure, Medical Officer at Ruby Hall Clinic; Dr. Suresh Kathane; Dr. Vishal Ghorpade; Dr. Smita Ghorpade; Dr. Ajay Mohod; Gaurav Nikam from the Social Justice Department; Santosh Jadhav; Advocate Atulya Rathod, Chairman of Long Island Society; social worker Sanjay Pawar; and youth speaker Vishwas Babare.

The cultural programme concluded with the अध्यक्षीय address, followed by a community dinner for attendees. The event was compered by Preeti Bhalerao and Jayshree Arakh.

In the evening, a grand procession began at 7 pm from in front of the Pride World sales office. Decorated with vibrant lighting, the chariot carried portraits of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Mahatma Phule. The procession was flagged off by Pratik Patil of Pride Group.

Dignitaries including former mayor and current corporators Nitin Appa Kalje, Sachin Bhau Tapkir, and Shruti Tai Dholas offered floral tributes and extended greetings on the occasion.

The event was made possible through the efforts of Prabuddha Vichar Manch members, including Suchit Ovhal, Amardeep Kotale, Akshay Kamble, Shubham Rokde, Vaibhav Pawar, Rupesh Sontakke, Ushant Karmankar, Abhilash Nikose, Nikhil Bhalerao, Suyog Hire, Shailesh Surwade, Pappu Tivde, Satish Padghane, Vishwas Babare, Smita Paikarav, Yash Jadhav, Preeti Bhalerao, Jayshree Arakh, Rajnandini Bhagwat-Kotale, Smita Tambe, Kiran Ovhal, Varsha Davne, Vidya Dhakde, Pragya Jagtap-Kamble, Ashwini Rokde, Poonam Surwade, Swati Tivde, Dr. Smita Ghorpade, Jyoti Jadhav, Pragya Jadhav, Sheetal Bhairamadgikar, Vishakha Kotale, Vijaya Bachhav, and other volunteers.