Merger Ceremony

 

March 1, 2025 – The Prerna Vanita Mandal Samstha, an educational organization in Pune, formally merged today with the Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha (MKSSS) in a grand ceremony. The event took place at the Prerna School located in Dhankawdi. 

 

 

The dignitaries present on the stage included Shri Milind Lele, (Trustee, MKSSS), Shri Ravindra Dev, (Chairman, MKSSS) Dr. P.V.S. Shastry, (Secretary, MKSSS), Shri Shivajirao Malegaonkar, (Sanghchalak of RSS, Katraj), and Mrs. Dr. Anuradha Patvardhan, (President of Prerna Vanita Mandal - PVM), Mrs. Madhavi Atre, (Secretary, PVM) and Mrs. Vinita Athalye, (Treasurer, PVM). The ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp and a prayer to the Lord.

 

Mrs. Vinita Athalye gave the welcome speech. She said, “In 1984, Mrs. Dr. Anuradhatai Patvardhan, along with her women colleagues, started the Prerna Vanita Mandal with the aim of educating children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The early teachers played a significant role in acquiring the current building of the school. They all worked selflessly to move the school’s mission forward. To expand this mission on a larger scale, the decision was made to merge the institution with MKSSS.”

 

Dr. Anuradha Patvardhan shared her personal connection by recalling her experience of meeting Maharshi Karve during her student years and also attending his funeral. She expressed that merging with Karve’s institution today felt like fulfilling an old bond. Shri Milind Lele reassured the audience of Prerna Vanita Mandal's future success and progress through his heartfelt words.

 

Some teachers from Prerna School also shared their emotions and thoughts about the institution. Shri Ravindra Dev expressed, “We see the image of a dedicated woman like Rajmata Ahilyadevi Holkar in Mrs. Patvardhan and her initial seven female colleagues, who started Prerna School.” He further added that they were deeply satisfied with the merger and expressed confidence in taking the school to greater heights in the future.

 

Following this, Shri Ravindra Dev officially handed over the merger documents to Dr. Anuradha Patvardhan, and the unveiling of the new signboard of the school took place. The event was conducted by Shri Ravindra Dhonde, a teacher at Prerna School, and the vote of thanks was given by Shri Ganesh Raut. The event concluded with MKSSS Ashramgeet, marking the emotional end of the program.