The member further said that the Ganpati mandal has been engaged in charity work from the donations it has been receiving during the Ganpati festival. However, during the lockdown when the paucity of funds affected the charity work, Ambani and his family stood rock solid with the mandal. The mandal received nearly 24 dialysis machines from the Reliance Foundation and Anant Ambani, too, contributed to the Rugna Sahaya Nidhi Yojana.

Besides, Bollywood stars, politicians, sports personalities, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, his wife Nita and mother Kokilaben are regular visitors to the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal. For the past few years, Anant Ambani had noticeable participation in the various activities of the mandal.

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“Donations from the Ambani family have helped the mandal continue with its charitable activities and that too without any interruption. Also, Anant Ambani has been actively participating in mandal activities. Hence, the decision to issue honorary membership and that too with approval from the general body was taken,” the member said. 

mid-day tried reaching out to the corporate communication team of Reliance Industries Limited for their comment. However, they refused to comment on the same. This is not for the first time that the mandal has given out such a honorary membership. Prior to Anant Ambani, veteran journalist Kiran Nabar was given a similar membership. Nabar was associated with the mandal for over two decades. However, in early 2000 Nabar passed away and since then there has been no such membership allotted to any individual.

History of the mandal

Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal was founded in 1934 at the Lalbaug market. The mandal was founded by a group of local fishermen and traders to celebrate the Ganesh festival.