The Parel-based high-rise Ashok Towers has decided to make this Diwali brighter for its 230 support staff, including security guards, gardeners, maids, drivers, garbage collectors, and cooks, by celebrating the festival with generosity and gratitude.
Residents of Ashok Towers celebrate Daan Utsav, a festival of giving dedicated to their 230 support staff
To raise funds for Diwali gifts, residents organised a series of cultural programmes, art workshops, and food fairs within the premises for a week. A special flea market was also set up where staff could buy festive and household items for just Rs 10–Rs 20 each. The organisers have managed to collect Rs 5.5 lakh till now.
Residents cook and serve home-made food to fellow residents, with all proceeds going toward staff welfare. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Ashok Towers comprises four towers housing about 500 families. Residents have been participating in fundraising events under the banner of “DaanUtsav,” contributing their time, talent, and resources toward the initiative.
The flea market proved to be the biggest draw. Stalls overflowed with donated items such as sarees, children’s clothes, jewellery, bags, men’s wear, kitchenware, toys, and shoes, all sold at token prices to make the staff’s Diwali shopping affordable.
Staff buying clothes at the Diwali Utsav
Adding a personal touch, the society introduced a “Wishing Tree,” inviting every staff member to choose between a mixer or a wall-mounted fan as their Diwali gift. “Most of them wished for mixers, and they will receive them before Diwali,” said one of the organisers.
Staff share their joy
The initiative brought visible happiness among the staff. “I bought bangles and a saree for myself. I’m so happy this Diwali,” said housekeeping supervisor Madhuri Bhandare. Ashish Pawar, also from housekeeping, said, “I bought a saree for my wife. It feels good to celebrate Diwali like this.”
Housekeeping supervisor Madhuri Bhandare bought bangles and a saree for herself (right) Security guard Aditya Maske bought a sketch colour box; Vijay Kamti purchased two sarees for his wife
Driver Ravi Astivkar picked up a pair of jeans for himself, while cook Lalita Acharya bought a saree and necklace. “It feels like I’ve already received my Diwali gift,” she said.
(From left)Tushar Kamble, Sukhie Vohra, Meera Agarwal and Mayur Chavan at Ashok Towers, Parel. Tushar and Mayur are from the facilities team. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Security guard Aditya Maske purchased a colour sketch box for his nephew, and Vijay Kamti picked up two sarees for his wife. Another staffer, Padma Kadam, said, “I bought a suit and shirt for my son. I’m so happy that he’ll get a Diwali gift from me.” Apart from the flea market, the society organised several community-led events to raise funds:
Joy Mela: a funfair featuring games by children, with proceeds donated to the staff fund
Book Sale Mela: donated books sold for Rs 50 each
Khau Gully: a food festival featuring home-cooked dishes by residents
Workshops: reflexology, vegan cooking, and drama sessions, with participation fees contributed to the cause
Donation drive: an organ and blood donation camp, where 18 residents pledged to donate their organs
“We wanted this Diwali to be about giving, not just celebrating,” said residents Sukhie Vohra, a former banker, and Meera Agrawal, a corporate professional, who volunteered for the initiative. “Our managing committee fully supported us; every rupee raised came from residents’ efforts.”
