| 1 |
Shri
R.S. Chitnis |
President
|
| 2 |
Shri
N.H. Kalgavakar |
Vice
President |
| 3 |
Shri
K.B. Grover |
Secretary
|
| 4 |
Shri
Siri Krishan Kapur |
Jt.
Secretary |
| 5 |
Shri
Warman Varulkar |
Treasurer
|
| 6 |
Shri
Krishan Mohan |
Jt.
Treasurer |
Shri
Sushil Kapoor, B.D. Kapoor, K.M. Bhatnagar, Mrs. Padamja
R. Chitnis as members amongst some of the employees of Mr.
R.S. Chitnis.
Efforts
started to arrange land for constructing a Sai Memorial
and with the grace & blessings of Lord SAI & sincere and
continuous efforts by the office bearers & members were
able to get 17,
Institutional
Area, Lodhi Road, Plot from Land & Development office New
Delhi for constructing, a Sai Memorial and this was the
beginning of a dream of devotees coming true and this is
the first Shirdi Sai Memorial in Northern India.
| |
 |
| |
Sh.
Bhag Chand Taneja |
Shri
Krishan Chand Dhawan, Shri Bhag Chand Taneja both businessmen
came forward and joined hands to expedite the constructing
of the memorial.
Shri
R.S. Sharma, Shri S.C.Gupta, Shri M.M. Lal then also joined
and all started to achieve the goal. Foundation stone laying
ceremony was held in the month of August 1972. A souvenir
was published on the auspicious occasion. It carried
the messages of best wishes from a number of dignitaries
including Hon'ble, President & Vice -President of India.
M/s
Pardhan Ghosh & Associates were consultant Architects who
supervised the progress of the construction with all devotion
and the building as we see today is a symbol of their and
contractor's sincere and hard work mainly under the supervision
of Mr. Chitnis.
 |
|
|
Sh. S. K. Kapur |
|
The
Statue of Lord SAI was now the first priority and efforts
started in that direction. After consulting various sculptures
it was decided to go to Jaipur. Shri R.S. Chitnis accompanied
by Shri SiriKrishan Kapur & Shri S. C. Gupta visited Jaipur.
M/s
Rajasthan Murti Kala Kendra was selected to make the statue
of Baba as per Shirdi Statue of white flawless marble of
high quality. Shri Rameshwar Lal & Manohar Lal both brothers
were the partners. Arrangements were made for their visit
to Shirdi and a clay model was made during stay in Shirdi.
The price of the Idol was agreed at as Rs.35,000/- and a
sum of Rs, 5,000/- was paid as advance. We had to make a
number of visits (say about 15) to Jaipur. The group comprised
Shri R.S. Chitnis, Shri K.C. Dhawan, Shri R.S. Sharma, Shri
S.C. Gupta, Shri Siri Krishan Kapur, Shri Sushil Kapur.
A lot of efforts were put by all to see that the effect
of Shirdi Statue could be brought. Shri R.S. Sharma and
Shri S.C. Gupta were very particular in this regard.
| |
 |
| |
Sh.
K.C. Dhawan |
At the
time of taking the delivery full team went to Jaipur and
came back S/Shri R.S. Sharma, Sushil Kapoor & Shri Pran
Nath Verma an Income Tax Officer and a staunch devotee of
Baba stayed behind and they accompanied the truck transporting
the statue in a separate vehicle.
A team
of South Indian Pandits arranged by Shri R.S. Sharma performed
Havan & Puja for three days prior to the installation ceremony
on 30.09.1976. This was a new experience as the performance
of south Indian Pandits was befitting the occasion. Prior
to the installation of the statue, painted picture of Baba
sitting on stone, which is now installed in the
Balcony,
was kept for Puja in the hall. After establishment of the
Samaj we, with a team of some employees of Mr. Chitnis who
had formed a Qawalls group and used to sing Qawalies & Sai
Bhajans; on behalf of Samaj used to arrange Bhajans at the
houses of members and others devotees and the offering collected
were credited to Samaj account for construction of the memorial
building.
Mr.
Chitnis used to collect donations from distributors of the
films who wanted to screen their films at both cinema houses
and the donations so collected were also credited to the
Samaj account to be used for construction.
For
a long time every Thursday Pooja, Aarti and Bhajans were
conducted at the residence of Shri B.D. Kapoor where Mr.
Chitnis also used to join regularly. This was the aim of
all of us to collect funds for the purpose. Donations collected
by all the members were for this purpose and Mr. Chitnis
used to issue monthly report giving details of the funds
collected by each member.
It may
also be mentioned that with a view to protect the devotees
from sun & rain. Fiber glass sheds were erected. Unfortunately
due to accidental fire on 5/6/2002, the sheds were burnt
and the sheds as we see now are excellent one and non-combustible.
Mercury lights have been fixed which give an excellent view.
After
the fire incident devotees have come forward in numbers
and offered donation in cash and kind liberally for renovation
of the building.
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| Sh.
B.D.Kapur |
|
Sh.
S.C.Gupta |
|
Sh.
Sushil Kapoor |