Lucknow: Lucknow Connection Worldwide (LCWW) organized its vibrant 3-in-1 Mega Event, “I’m the BEST,” on Sunday, bringing together a public felicitation ceremony, a singing competition, and a collective celebration of members’ birthdays and wedding anniversaries in a warm, family-oriented atmosphere.
The event’s centerpiece was the public felicitation of Padma Shri Dr Anil Rastogi, recognising his outstanding contributions to science, theatre, and acting. The programme also featured Episode 2 (Preliminary Round) of “I’m the BEST” Singing Contest Season 5 and a festive celebration honouring LCWW members marking birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
The programme commenced with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp in the presence of distinguished guests, including Padma Gidwani, Dr Meenu Khare, Dr Ravi Bhatt, Dr Devesh Chandra Pandey, Puneeta Pandey and Indu Saraswat, along with senior members of the LCWW family. The cultural segment opened with a graceful Ganesh Vandana by Gargi Dwivedi, followed by a welcome song presented by Neerja Shukla, Madhu Srivastava, Vibha Shukla and Jyoti Prakash. Nidhi Nigam’s soulful musical performance further enriched the evening.
Welcoming the chief guest, Dr Rajeev Saxena, LCWW Admin and Event Director, described Padma Shri Dr Anil Rastogi as a multidimensional personality whose achievements in science, theatre and acting continue to inspire generations. On behalf of the LCWW family, Dr Rajeev Saxena, Kailash Kumar Srivastava and other senior members presented floral bouquets and a commemorative memento to honour Dr Rastogi.
In his message, LCWW Founder Sunil Mishra praised Dr Rastogi as a rare blend of scientific excellence and artistic brilliance, saying that his simplicity, dedication and lifelong commitment to society make him an enduring source of inspiration. Senior Admin Anil Shukla from Canada and Shoaib Qureshi from the United States also conveyed congratulatory messages, describing Dr Rastogi’s Padma Shri honour as a matter of immense pride for the people of Lucknow. Floral tributes were also presented on their behalf.
Addressing the gathering, Padma Shri Dr Anil Rastogi shared inspiring experiences from his remarkable journey in science, theatre and public life. He commended Lucknow Connection Worldwide for its continued contribution to social and cultural causes, noting that the organisation’s greatest strength lies in its spirit of togetherness and family values.
The felicitation was followed by an interactive session moderated by Vivek Shukla, during which Kumkum Dhar, Dr Meenu Khare, Dr Ravi Bhatt, Padma Gidwani and Dr Uma Rai, along with several distinguished guests, shared their experiences and reflections on Dr Rastogi’s achievements. Many members also expressed their admiration by presenting bouquets and gifts.
The second phase of the event featured the Preliminary Round of “I’m the BEST” Singing Contest Season 5, Episode 2, conducted under the direction of Project Director Dr Vishwas Verma. Vinod Prasad and Nidhi Nigam served as judges for the competition. Held at Mandapam Hall, the contest witnessed enthusiastic performances by 18 contestants, who captivated the audience with timeless Bollywood melodies and received widespread appreciation.
