Legendary Singer Padma Vibhushan Asha Bhosle Felicitated with Swami Ratna Award, while Marathi superstar Swwapnil Joshi & poet Shri N. D. Mahanor honoured with Swami Bhushan Awards

 The 32nd foundation day of the Shri Swami Samarth Annachatra Trust (Akkalkot) was celebrated on July 15, on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima. The day also saw the Trust and its President, and King of Akkalkot, Shri Janmejayraje Vijaysinhraje Bhosale, organise the first Annual Swami Ratna, Swami Bhushan and Swami Sevak Awards. At the ceremony, beloved music icon Padma Vibhushan Asha Bhosle was awarded the first Swami Ratna National Award 2019 and honoured with a cash prize of Rs.5 lakh. Marathi superstar Swwapnil Joshi and popular poet/lyricist Shri N. D. Mahanor were also felicitated with the Swami Bhushan State Awards 2019, receiving cash prizes of Rs 1.25 lakh each.

After receiving the award, legendary singer Asha Bhosle said, “I feel this award is God sent to me. This is my first visit to Akkalkot, a land blessed by Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj ji, and I am fortunate to have been felicitated by the King of Akkalkot, Shri Janmejayraje Bhosale ji. Shri Janmejayraje ji is doing great work at the Trust and this will only increase manifold.”

On the occasion, noted Marathi poet/lyricist N.D. Mahanor said, “The decision of the Annachatra Trust, headed by Shri Janmejayraje ji, to award me this prize is like Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj ji’s blessing. I will remember this award for as long as I live.” Shri Mahanor ji also thanked the Mangeshkar family for nominating him for this felicitation.

Swwapnil Joshi, one of the brightest stars in the sky of Marathi cinema today, was thrilled at receiving the award.  “My parents have told me that this Award by the Annachatra Trust and Shri Janmejayraje ji is actually Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj ji’s immense blessings showered on me. I am so glad I am receiving it alongside the iconic Asha ji and Mahanor ji. I am thrilled to be sharing the same stage as the Mangeshkar family, whose music has been such an inspiration,” said the superstar.  

The President of the Annachatra Trust Shri Janmejayraje Vijaysinhraje Bhosale ji has set up the first Annual Swami Awards in the memory of his late father Shri Vijaysinhraje Bhosale. He was glad to have the support of Padmashree Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar all along. Shri Janmejayraje ji’s daughter-in-law Shrimati Arpitaraje Amolraje Bhosale also honoured eminent jourmalist, film maker and media strategist Anusha Srinivasan Iyer alongside the awardees.