Mayan Mahotsav 2026 Celebrates Senior Citizens and Rural Contributors in Lucknow
The annual Mayan Mahotsav-2026 was held at Kamla Kutir in Gadela village of Itaunja, Lucknow, on Sunday, with a special focus on honoring senior citizens and grassroots contributors from rural areas. This year's festival, dedicated to promoting dignity and care for the elderly, brought together people from villages and the city in a vibrant celebration of community and social service.
Honoring Seven Distinguished Contributors
Seven individuals, including three women, were felicitated with the Mayan Samman for their significant contributions to society. Among the honorees was Padma Shri awardee Kaleemullah Khan, renowned for developing multiple varieties of mango on a single tree. Other recipients included Santosh Singh, Jagdev Yadav, Ramji, Shivdulari Chaurasia, Aruna Kumari, and Madhurani, who have made impactful contributions in fields such as agriculture, education, social service, and women's empowerment.
Cultural Performances and Guest Highlights
The event featured rich cultural performances, with singer Prabha Srivastava presenting songs of Geeta Dutt and young artist Master Aman Azam performing Sufi renditions. The programme was conducted by media personality Aftab Alam. Chief guest, historian Ravi Bhatt, praised the initiative and emphasized the need to strengthen connections between urban and rural communities while fostering greater social sensitivity towards senior citizens.
Festival Aims and Organization
Now in its fifth year, the Mayan Mahotsav aims to promote social awareness and provide a platform to recognize individuals who have contributed to society despite challenges. Organized under the guidance of Anand Prakash Maheshwari, retired DG-CRPF, the event received support from various social organizations, volunteers, and students. Visitors enjoyed traditional rural cuisine and cultural activities, with several guests from the city attending alongside villagers.
The festival successfully highlighted the importance of honoring elderly citizens and bridging the gap between urban and rural life, reinforcing its mission of community engagement and social recognition.
