Festivals have a way of bringing an entire campus together, and Ganesh Chaturthi did exactly that at Hinduja College this year. On September 14, our Worli campus took on a festive glow as the ceremonial Ganesh Sthapana was performed with devotion, joy and genuine cultural pride.

Welcoming Leadership with Warmth

The day carried extra significance with the presence of the Hinduja Group and Foundation’s esteemed leadership: Shri Ashok Hinduja, Trustee of the College and Chairman of Hinduja Group of Companies (India); Smt. Harsha Hinduja, Trustee of the Hinduja Foundation and President of the India Friendship Bonsai Society; Shri Raman Kalyanakrishnan, CEO of the Hinduja Foundation; and Shri Y.M. Kale of the Hinduja Group. Students organised a warm, traditional welcome for the arriving dignitaries, who were joined by Principal Prof. (Dr.) Navin M. Punjabi, Vice Principal Dr. Chandrakala Joshi, Ms. Smita Menon, and faculty and staff across campus.

A Ceremony Rooted in Tradition

The Sthapana itself was performed with full Vedic rituals and prayers, setting a reverent tone for the celebration. Shri Ashok Hinduja and Smt. Harsha Hinduja performed the Pratham Aarti, joined by Shri Raman Kalyanakrishnan, Shri Y.M. Kale, college leadership, staff and students, all participating together in a moment of shared devotion.

A Vision That Looks Decades Ahead

Beyond the rituals, the day carried a message about where the institution is headed. In his address, Shri Ashok Hinduja congratulated Principal Punjabi, Vice Principal Dr. Joshi, Ms. Menon and the wider Hinduja family on the smooth transition to the new campus. He then shared something that gave the celebration a forward-looking edge: ambitious plans to redevelop the college’s original, iconic site at Charni Road into a modern, state-of-the-art building, with the long-term vision of establishing a full-fledged University exactly where the institution’s story first began.

Mementos, Prasad and Shared Blessings

Following the puja, Smt. Harsha Hinduja personally presented mementos and festive Prasad to staff and students, a warm, personal gesture that added to the day’s sense of community and appreciation.

Students at the Heart of It All

What made the day truly come alive, though, was the energy of the students. From designing vibrant, detailed rangolis at the entrance to leading soulful bhajan recitations and helping coordinate the event itself, students took genuine ownership of the celebration, turning it into something built by the community, not just hosted for it.

An Inspiring Start to the Year Ahead

The celebration closed on a note that blended devotion with ambition, the college community inspired both by Lord Ganesha’s blessings for the year ahead and by the leadership’s clear vision for the institution’s future. It was a reminder that at Hinduja College, tradition and progress tend to move forward hand in hand.

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