Nashik: In a positive response to the appeal made by the charity commissioner’s office, many Ganeshotsav mandals in the city have decided to raise funds for different social welfare works during the festival.The main focus of the mandals is on raising relief fund for Kerala flood victims while some prominent mandals have already handed over their share for the education of poor students to assistant charity commissioner Pradip Ghuge.Ghuge said that cheque for Rs 5,000 each was given to 29 needy students short-listed by the charity commissioner office recently. Ravivar Karanja Mitra Mandal, Shri Navashya Ganpati Mitra Mandal from Anandwalli, and TPS Ganesh Mandal from Eklahare had contributed significantly to raise amount for this cause.“While giving permissions to the public mandals, we had appealed to them to donate some percentage of their total collections to needy students from rural and tribal areas. I am glad that some mandals have responded positively to our call,” Ghuge said.In the next phase, the charity commissioner’s office has appealed to mandals to curb their expenses and save money for the noble cause. “I am hopeful that many more mandals will respond to our appeal. We will plan a public function to distribute help to needy students after the festival,” he said.Public Pujas by the corporate houses are also collecting funds for the noble causes. Ganeshotsav mandals by Mahindra and Mahindra, Bosch, HAL and other corporate houses have resolved to raise funds for Kerala flood victims. Prominent mandals in Nashik Road and Deolali regions have curtailed the expenses on lighting and decorations to save money for the Kerala flood victims. Many mandals have resolved to donate all additional funds to social causes after Ganeshotsav.Vikrant Khatale of Satpur cha Raja told TOI that his mandal contributes for social work every year. “We conduct several social activities in Satpur region and help needy students. This has been going on for the last seven years. We are well-aware of the charity commissioner’s appeal. Many mandals like us were busy in initial arrangements during these days. We will definitely give our share once the festival is over,” he said.Meanwhile, Nashikites have started visiting pandals to see decorations, lightings and moving tableaux from Friday evening. Prominent locations like B D Bhalekar ground where more than 8 pandals have been installed, witnessed good rush on Friday evening. The rush expected to increase on Saturday and Sunday as people will make the most of weekend.

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