Chitpavans to raise Rs 1000 crore for the poor among them
Express news service, The Indian Express
December 24, 2007
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Chitpavans-to-raise-Rs-1000-crore-for-the-poor-among-them/253575/

The Kokanastha Chitpavan Brahmins have pledged to raise a fund of Rs 1,000 crore, during their first international convention held at the Chandrashekhar Agashe College in Mukundnagar on Sunday.

The day-long convention received a massive response with over one lakh Kokanastha brahmins from various fraternities and 22 countries participating in the event.

Anil Nene of London, who is the chief international co-ordinator of the Maharashtra Chitpavan Sangh, said that fund to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore will be raised for providing medical and educational facilities to the poor among the Kokanastha Brahmin community.

Vice-Chief of Indian Air Force Bhushan Gokhale inaugurated the main function of the convention. Prominent among those present included actors Vinay Apte, managing director of Ideal Road builders Jayant Mhaiskar, CEO of Hinduja Hospitals Pramod Lele, member of Parliament Sumitra Mahajan and president of Maharashtra Chitpavan Sangh Ramesh Damle.

Pointing to the massive gathering, Apte said that politicians should better take a note of the strength of Kokanastha Brahmins. “More people from the Chitpavan community should join politics,” he urged.

Apte said it was sad that the community-based programmes were still organised in India even after 60 years of Independence. “Such conventions need to be progressive,” he opined.

Apte exhorted the Chitpavans to follow the ideals and principles of their forefather and warrior Parshuram while tackling various problems.

Ashok Vaze, secretary of the Maharashtra Chitpavan Sangh, Pune was felicitated on the occasion. Sudhir Gadgil conducted open interviews of perfume maker Bhausaheb Kelkar of Mumbai, actor Vikram Gokhale, Deepak Ghaisas, CEO of I-Flex Solutions and scientist Narendra Karmarkar.

Individual conventions of Chitpavans having 140 surnames were conducted in 62 halls in the city. Workshops on variety of subjects like music, arts, media and higher education were also organised. The convention will be held after every five years for networking the 1.5 millions of Chitpavans spread across the globe.