Inter-Vasti Mangalagauri Competition Celebrates Women’s Talent and Social Awareness in Nashik

Inter-Vasti Mangalagauri Competition Celebrates Women’s Talent and Social Awareness in Nashik

Nashik, August 22, 2026: In an effort to provide women from underserved communities with a platform to showcase their talents while creating awareness on important social issues, Radio Vishwas 90.8 Community Radio, Nashik, under Vishwas Dnyan Prabodhini and Research Institute, organised an Inter-Vasti Mangalagauri Competition under its Hinsa Ko No project, an initiative focused on prevention of domestic violence.

The programme was held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Vishwas Garden, Savarkar Nagar, Gangapur Road, Nashik. Around 80 women from communities across Nashik participated enthusiastically in the event. Women, girls, children and senior women associated with the Hinsa Ko No project from Vadala Gaon, Anna Bhau Sathe Nagar, Bharat Nagar, Kasturba Nagar, Nandini Nagar, Ramoshiwada and Milind Nagar took part in the competition.

The unique feature of the competition was the use of traditional Mangalagauri dances and performances as a medium to communicate important social messages. Participants presented themes including dowry, child marriage, prevention and awareness around rape and sexual violence, saving trees, ‘Aaji Bai Chi Shaala’ (Grandmother’s School), and women’s empowerment. Through creative performances, the participants successfully combined traditional culture with messages of social awareness and gender equality.

The performances were judged by Ms. Riya Raj, a well-known content creator from Nashik, and Adv. Mrunal Bhide, a renowned advocate from Nashik. Both judges appreciated the enthusiasm, creativity and confidence displayed by the women and their efforts to communicate meaningful social messages through their performances.

The event was graced by Mr. Vishwas Jaydev Thakur, Kutumb Pramukh, Vishwas Group, and Dr. Manoj Eknath Shimpi, President, Vishwas Dnyan Prabodhini and Research Institute.

The programme was organised with a broader focus on the mental well-being and empowerment of women from underserved communities. It aimed to provide women with a safe and joyful space away from their everyday responsibilities, encourage social interaction, bring out their hidden talents and strengthen their confidence. The enthusiastic participation of the women demonstrated the importance of creating such platforms where community members can express themselves, celebrate together and recognise their own abilities.

The Mangalagauri dances and traditional activities were taught to the participating women by the Saptashrungi Shakha Mangalagauri Group, with training support from Mrs. Deepali Athavale, Mrs. Revati Kulkarni and Mrs. Sandhya Phase.

The event was supported by several organisations and individuals. Sony Gifts, Nashik, through Mr. Nitin Multani, sponsored gifts for the participants. Shri Gajanan Caterers provided food arrangements, while Chaitanya Techno School, Nashik, supported the programme by arranging buses for the pick-up and drop of participating women from the respective communities.

The Radio Vishwas team, including Ms. Ruchita Vishwas Thakur, Ms. Mamta Jadhav, Dr. Rutuja Shimpi, Ms. Chhaya Sable, Ms. Nilofar Shaikh, Ms. Alka Salve, RJ Shraddha Karale, RJ Prathama Bharvirkar, Ms. Dhanashree Mule and Mr. Dnyaneshwar Shirsath, played an active role in organising and conducting the programme.

Hinsa Ko No is a community-based initiative working towards preventing domestic violence and addressing gender inequality through awareness, community engagement and social and behavioural change. The Inter-Vasti Mangalagauri Competition served as an innovative platform to combine cultural expression with social messaging while promoting women’s participation, confidence, mental well-being and empowerment.

The event concluded on a highly positive note, with enthusiastic participation from women across the seven communities and a strong message that community spaces can play an important role in bringing women together, recognising their talents and creating conversations around social change.