Celebrating the Festival of Lights with Drought-Hit Farmers in Latur and Dharashiv

Food kits, Diwali sweets and new clothes distributed to farming families; social organisations bring festive cheer directly to farmers’ doorsteps

 PIMPRI : Diwali is a festival of joy, light and togetherness. However, for farming families struggling with drought, celebrating the festival can be a challenge. In an effort to bring festive cheer into their lives, the Kashtakari Sangharsh Mahasangh, Manavtavadi Janshakti and Manav Seva Charitable Trust jointly organised ‘Diwali of Humanity’, celebrating the festival with drought-affected farmers in Latur and Dharashiv districts.
 As part of the initiative, the organisers visited Masurdi village in Ausa taluka of Latur district and several drought-affected farming families in Dharashiv district. They reached out to farmers directly at their agricultural fields and distributed food grain kits, traditional Diwali sweets and new clothes to their families.
 The initiative was attended by Manav Seva Charitable Trust president Mahesh Swami, labour leader and Kashtakari Sangharsh Mahasangh president Kashinath Nakhate, Tantamukt Gaon Committee president Ramesh Pimpire, Municipal Corporation Committee member Kiran Sadekar, vice-president Rajesh Mane, Chandrakant Kumbhar, Lala Rathod, Vishal Sarode, Sunil Bhosale, Samshuddin Shaikh and others.
 Speaking about the initiative, Nakhate said the programme was not merely about distributing essential supplies but also about assuring distressed farming families that they were not alone in their struggle. He emphasised that the working-class community stood firmly behind farmers during difficult times.
 The organisers also interacted with farming families and listened to their concerns and difficulties. They stressed that support for farmers should not remain limited to festivals but must continue during times of crisis, with members of society standing together to help one another.
 Addressing the gathering, Mahesh Swami made an emotional appeal, highlighting the importance of standing by farmers who work tirelessly to put food on everyone’s tables.
 “If the homes of the farmers, whose hard work brings food to our tables, remain in darkness during Diwali, what meaning does our own celebration hold? Standing by farmers during their difficult times is not merely an act of charity but a social responsibility. We have come to your doorsteps to assure you that you are not alone and that the entire working-class community stands with you. Beyond caste, religion, language and political affiliations, helping fellow human beings in times of need is the true essence of humanity,” Swami said.
 The initiative also received an encouraging response from villagers. The residents warmly welcomed the visiting representatives and made arrangements for their breakfast and lunch. Their
hospitality touched the organisers, who joined the villagers for a meal, making the occasion a celebration of solidarity, compassion and togetherness.
 Through ‘Diwali of Humanity’, the participating organisations sought to convey a message
that the true spirit of the festival lies not just in lighting lamps but also in bringing hope and happiness into the lives of those facing hardship.