Home / Lifestyle / Rural Heroes Honored at Mayan Mahotsav!
Rural Heroes Honored at Mayan Mahotsav!
16 Feb
Summary
- Mayan Mahotsav honored seven contributors, including a Padma Shri awardee.
- Festival celebrated elderly citizens, promoting dignity and care.
- Event featured cultural performances and traditional rural cuisine.
The Mayan Mahotsav-2026 recently took place at Kamla Kutir in Gadela village, Itaunja, with a special focus on honoring elderly citizens and grassroots contributors. This annual festival, which bridges the gap between city and village residents, highlighted the importance of dignity and care in old age.
Seven individuals, three of whom were women, were bestowed with the prestigious Mayan Samman. Among the recipients was Padma Shri awardee Kaleemullah Khan, recognized for his innovative work in developing multiple mango varieties on a single tree. Other honorees included Santosh Singh, Jagdev Yadav, Ramji, Shivdulari Chaurasia, Aruna Kumari, and Madhurani, acknowledged for their significant work in agriculture, education, social service, and women's empowerment.
The event was enriched with vibrant cultural performances, including renditions by singer Prabha Srivastava and young artist Master Aman Azam. Historian Ravi Bhatt, the chief guest, lauded the initiative and underscored the necessity of reinforcing connections between urban and rural communities, advocating for increased social sensitivity towards senior citizens.
Now in its fifth year, the festival aims to foster social awareness and recognize individuals who have made substantial contributions despite facing challenges. Organized with support from social organizations, volunteers, and students, the event was conducted under the guidance of Anand Prakash Maheshwari, a retired DG-CRPF.
