Kalmadi, Pune’s member of Parliament and founder of the Pune Festival, presently lodged in the Tihar jail, was remembered at the inauguration of the 23rd Pune Festival in the city on Friday evening.
Suresh Kalmadi, Pune’s member of Parliament and founder of the Pune Festival, presently lodged in the Tihar jail, was remembered at the inauguration of the 23rd Pune Festival in the city on Friday evening.
The festival was inaugurated by film-maker, Subhash Ghai, at the Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch in the presence of state minister for forests, Patangrao Kadam and minister for cooperation, Harshwardhan Patil. Bollywood stars, including festival patron Hema Malini, were absent.
In his inaugural address, Ghai said, “I have learned about Pune’s culture while studying in Pune. Suresh Kalmadi always wanted the Pune Festival to become an international festival. It is now our responsibility to celebrate the silver jubilee in a grand manner. I will try my best to take the festival to international levels.”
Kadam said, “Kalmadi has organised the festival in the best manner for the last 22 years.It should become a festival of Maharashtra.”
Patil played it safe by not making any direct reference to Kalmadi.
“The silver jubilee festival in 2013 should be celebrated in a grand manner. It should become an international festival.”
Founder of Symbiosis Society, SB Mujumdar and prominent orthopedic surgeon, KH Sancheti were felicitated with the Pune Festival awards.
Mujumdar said, “It is unfortunate that Suresh Kalmadi, who started the Pune Festival, cannot attend the festival. But it has shown that Pune Festival is not dependent on any particular person or leader. It is a festival of the people, by people and for the people.”
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