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Wall of books @ Pune Dahi Handi is new sound of giving for Naxal-affected Gadchiroli
Vande Mataram group in Sadashiv peth set up a wall of books instead of a wall of speakers for their Janmashtami celebration, donating all the books to tribals in Naxal-affected areas
In keeping with their yearly tradition of celebrating the festival of Janmashtami on August 15 this year, youth from the Vande Mataram group, Sadashiv peth, held their ‘Book Dahi Handi’ at S P college in Pune.
Miles away from the cut-throat competition among other Dahi Handi mandals in the city, the Vande Mataram group use this festival to spread a message of knowledge, books and wisdom.
A sizeable number of youth from around Sadashiv peth, gathered at S P college for the breaking of the handi to the soundtrack of Govinda songs.
Traditional dahi handi pots are filled with curd and cash, but the ‘Book Dahi Handi’, true to its name, is all about books.
“We celebrate this unique Dahi Handi every year. This has resulted in the launch of a student’s library in a naxal- affected area.
“We made a ‘Book Wall’ – instead of the dolby speaker wall. By organising such an event we are trying to develop a reading culture among tribal students,” said Vaibhav Wagh, president, Vande Mataram group.
Every member of the group donated at least one book for the‘Book Dahi Handi’ and, along with social media appeals, nearly 2,500 books were collected this year.
The collected books will be donated to students in Naxal- affected areas in Gadchiroli with the help of the Gadchiroli police.
At this year’s event students from Brazil also participated, dressed up as Lord Krishna and Radha.
