Lucknow: A series of tribute and social service programs marked the ninth death anniversary of former Union minister Akhilesh Das Gupta.Gupta was former mayor of Lucknow and founder of BBD Group.At the Akhil Jyot program held at the university, BBD Educational Group chairperson Alka Das Gupta, BBD Group president Viraj Sagar Das, vice presidents Sonakshi Das and Devanshi Das, along with senior university officials, faculty members, guests and students, paid homage to Gupta.Several welfare initiatives were organized as part of the observance. NCC cadets conducted a clothes donation drive through BBD Generosity Junction, while NSS volunteers held a blood donation camp in which 100 people donated blood.Awareness camps were also organized in Uttar Dhauna village on legal literacy, cyber fraud prevention and women empowerment.Under the Green Anthem donation drive, food grains, grocery items and clothes were distributed among underprivileged families.An international conference on AI in Digital Growth was also held at the campus auditorium.Dr Nishchal Kumar Verma of IIT Kanpur delivered a memorial lecture highlighting Gupta’s contributions to education, society and sports.A panel discussion featured experts including Jagdish Chand Bansal of South Asian University, who spoke on drone swarm technology and AI applications. A Shraddha Bhoj at the BBD campus drew thousands of participants.Similar tribute events and community meals were organized at Times Square, the corporate office and central store in BBD Green City. Medical camps, eye check-up drives, old age home outreach, orphanage support, school strengthening initiatives and a large bhandara at UP Badminton Academy were also held.