Pimpri Chinchwad: Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation annually honors warkaris participating in the Palkhi processions of Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Santshreshtha Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. However, this year, the recognition was not limited to warkaris alone; it also celebrated the selfless devotion of women who have risen above hardships.
On 19th June, Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s Palkhi and on 20th June, Santshreshtha Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj’s Palkhi arrived in Pimpri-Chinchwad. To welcome both processions, the Municipal Corporation presented Shabnam bags — cloth bags handcrafted by COVID warrior women’s self-help groups — to the warkaris. These bags, visible on the shoulders of devotees as they proceeded towards Pandharpur, became a powerful symbol of devotion and resilience.
The Umed Jagar program, initiated by Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh to support widowed women affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, provided these women with employment and skill development. Under this program, a sewing center was set up in Thergaon where women received training in stitching. For the past two years, they have been making cloth bags for warkaris. This year, under the guidance of Mamata Shinde, Deputy Commissioner, Social Development Department, 2,000 Shabnam bags were prepared for distribution.
