Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Monday flagged off a convoy of trucks carrying Diwali sweets and festive items for Indian Army personnel stationed in border and high-risk areas, news agency ANI reported. The initiative was led by Adharsocial Trust in a bid to bring joy and a sense of connection to soldiers who spend Diwali far away from their families.
The campaign, now in its 10th consecutive year, involves the distribution of handmade sweets prepared by women across the country. Speaking at the event, social worker Shankar Eknath Chakankar, founder of Adharsocial Trust, described the initiative as an emotional and patriotic offering to the armed forces.
“The jawans posted at the border sites and sensitive areas are the reason why we are able to celebrate every festival peacefully. They are the protectors of the nation. Our mothers and sisters make sweets on the occasion of Deepawali, and we ensure that the first batch goes to the jawans. We decided that we will only celebrate Diwali after the jawans eat the sweets sent by us. For 10 years now, we have been sending them sweets filled with love,” said Chakankar.
The trucks, flagged off from Mumbai, are headed to various border locations where they will be received by military units ahead, ANI reported.
Each packet includes traditional sweets, dry fruits, and handwritten notes of gratitude from citizens, especially schoolchildren.
Meanwhile, the Diwali 2025 celebrations among the armed forces continued across the country. In Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel marked the Diwali 2025 festivities by performing rituals, offering prayers, and celebrating with fireworks, ANI reported. Despite being miles away from their families, the jawans created a festive atmosphere with music, dance, and a communal meal.
In a similar spirit, the Border Security Force (BSF) organised a vibrant Diwali Mela at its Humhama campus in Budgam. The event featured cultural performances, traditional food stalls, rides, and games for children — all aimed at boosting morale and providing a sense of festivity to the families of personnel stationed along the Line of Control (LoC).
Inspector General Ashok Yadav of the BSF Kashmir Frontier, who was present at the mela, extended his greetings on behalf of the force.
“As we all know, the BSF celebrates every festival with their families. Today, all our frontier headquarters, the composite hospital, under-command sectors, and units have come together to organise this fair. There are many food stalls, swings for children, and games. We will continue the celebrations over the next two days,” he said.
(With ANI inputs)
