As she married Riteish Deshmukh in traditional East Indian style, actress Genelia D'Souza became an unwitting ambassador for the community by highlighting their wedding rituals. On Thursday her family received a special award for promoting East Indian culture by celebrating the traditional 'umbrachapani' a day before marriage. The Mobai Gaothan Panchayat (MGP) presented ten annual awards at the annual food fest at Vile Parle church quadrangle.

Jean Moses Gomes, principal of Michael High School, Kurla, was declared Educationist of the Year. Her school which had started as a kindergarten is today a high school and junior college. Jean had received the President's Award for best teacher in September 2012. Catleen Pereira, mayor of the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC), won for being the youngest East Indian to be elected to the mayoral post. The longest operating East Indian brass band, St Blaise Band of Vile Parle, was honoured as well.