Efforts to spread Diwali light among orphans, seniors in Pune

“Diwali is celebrated with full joy and enthusiasm. Our children themselves make killa (miniature fort) and our staff prepares Diwali faral (a kind of mixed savoury) as we do not provide outside food to them. We celebrate all the rituals during Diwali. And on padwa (auspicious day), we invite the volunteers or well-wishers of SOFOSH in the evening for a get-together,” said Sharmila Sayed, Head (Administration), SOFOSH. The Society will also light 1,000 diyas. “During Diwali, we distribute sweets, our children perform dance performances and everyone enjoys together,” added Sayed.

Another organisation, Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK), works with newborns to six-year-olds. Rajeshri Deokar, Senior Executive, BSSK, said, “We have been working for the last 45 years. Children at BSSK make killa and our staff make faral, and sweets. We buy new clothes for the kids. Our centre is decorated with lights, diyas, and lanterns and we enjoy ourselves by bursting light firecrackers. With children, we make greeting cards to give to our supporters.”

She added, “We are licensed by the government and work on donations. People can donate meals or contribute for the different requirements of children. We need support for lab tests, surgeries, medication, and maintaining the premises.”

While children are going to have a lot of fun at these organisations, the seniors are not far behind. Niwara old-age home, located at Sadashiv Peth, is one of Pune’s oldest old-age homes.

Shekhar Kulkarni, Trustee, Niwara old-age home, said, “There is a cheerful atmosphere in Niwara during Diwali. This year we are making Killa, various kinds of rangoli, and decorating the surroundings with lanterns and diyas. Faral is made on the premises itself, we do not buy it from outside. We accept donations in the form of raw materials. We do not burst firecrackers and avoid sound pollution.”

At Pitashri Vrudhashram, as well, there are plans for creativity, particularly music and dance. “Everyone here at Pitashri is of a certain age and we are sensitive to their needs. We have a huge staff and premises, and make the Diwali faral here itself. We accept donations in the form of raw materials,” said Babasaheb Mahadev Ghawane, manager at Shrimant Halwai Dagdusheth Trust, Pitashri Vrudhashram.