The year was 1991. Our student, Jeevan Parkhe was chosen to represent India at the Special Olympics Summer Games that were to be held in US. Jeevan was to compete in Swimming events. This was the first time a Kamayani student was to take part in an International sports event. Athletes’ travel and stay was to be funded by their respective institutions.
While staff and students were enthused by this selection, our founder Sindhutai Joshi was anxious about arranging a sum of Rs 25,000 that would be necessary for Jeevan’s travel and stay. Smt Leelatai Bhagwat was the Secretary of Kamayani Society. She knew the famous music director, Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar, the younger brother of the legendary Lata Mangeshkar. It was decided to approach him, since he used to stage a very popular programme of Light Music, Bhav Sargam.
Panditji readily agreed to stage a programme and donate the proceeds toward Jeevan’s Special Olympics participation. Accordingly a performance of Bhav Sargam was organized in the Tilak Smarak Mandir at Pune. The proceeds of Rs 25000 were handed over by Pt Hridaynath Mangeshkar to Kamayani.
Jeevan Parkhe took part in the Special Olympics and returned with two silver medals.
After completing his training in Kamayani, Jeevan’s first job was in a security agency and later atan Automobile Service Station.