Pune: In a heartfelt gesture of appreciation and support, a substantial donation of Rs 5 lakh was extended to the Pune Police Welfare Fund during the ‘Friendship Cup’ Cricket Championship, orchestrated by the Punit Balan Group. The event, which brought together teams representing Ganpati Mandal, Navratri Mandal, Dhol-Tasha Team, and media professionals in Pune, served as a platform to honour the dedication and sacrifice of the Pune Police Force.
Punit Balan Group Director, Punit Balan, alongside Manikchand Oxyrich Director Janhavi Dhariwal-Balan, presented the generous contribution to Zone-3 Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sambhaji Kadam. The occasion witnessed the presence of Maharashtra State Additional Director General of Police (Prisons), Amitabh Gupta, renowned film actor Makarand Anaspure, former MLA Jagdish Mulik, and Congress Leader Mohan Joshi, among other distinguished guests.
Expressing his feelings, Punit Balan Group Director, Punit Balan, lauded the pivotal role played by the Pune Police Force in ensuring the safety and harmony of Pune city. Acknowledging their relentless efforts in overseeing the seamless conduct of Ganeshotsav and Navratri festivals, Balan underscored the invaluable contribution of the police force, whose unwavering vigilance enables citizens to partake in these festivities without apprehension. Emphasising the group’s commitment to fostering talent in arts and sports, Balan reiterated their support for empowering individuals to achieve their aspirations, further manifested through the benevolent donation to the Pune Police Welfare Fund.
In addition to the generous donation, the Punit Balan Group recently hosted the ‘Friendship Cup’ Cricket Championship, featuring matches amongst teams representing diverse sectors. As a symbol of camaraderie and goodwill, a friendly match ensued between the Pune Police and Punit Balan Group, culminating in a thrilling encounter.
Batting first, the Punit Balan Group set a challenging target of 92 runs, with notable contributions from Kunal Bhilare (39 runs), Punit Balan (15 runs not out), and Rahul Sathe (23 runs). However, the Pune Police team exhibited resilience, clinching a victory in the final over. Pappu Todkar’s remarkable 44 runs, coupled with Kiran Gaikwad’s unbeaten 35, sealed the win for the Pune Police team, amidst cheers and applause from the spectators.
Match Summary:
Punit Balan Group vs. Pune Police:
Punit Balan Group: 92 for 5 in 10 overs (Kunal Bhilare 39, Punit Balan 15 not out, Rahul Sathe 23, Atul Mahangude 3-29)
Pune Police: 96 for 2 in 9.3 overs (Pappu Todkar 44, Kiran Gaikwad 35 not out, Akshay Jadhav 2-14)
Man of the Match: Pappu Todkar