A member of the association of Poona Merchant Chamber, Pravin Manikchand Chorbole stated that would sell the laddu and the Chivda on a no-profit, no-loss basis. He stated that the prices of both Laddus and Chivda have been fixed at Rs 160 per kg against Rs 350 per kg in the market.
“Pune Merchant Chamber has been running this programme, titled ‘Ladu Chivda Upkram’ for the last 35 years. This programme should reach every household so that people can celebrate Deepavali with joy,” he said.
“We buy goods directly from the company. And we start preparations two months in advance. This time 2.5 lakh kg laddus and chivdas are being made. We have been listed in the Limca Book of Records, and the Guinness Book of Records. But this time we are not aiming for any record. We just want our Laddu and Chivda to reach the maximum number of households,” he added.
Chorbole said that the city traders run this programme, keeping the businesses aside. “Everyone thinks that a businessman just makes money. But keeping our business aside for 10 days, we are providing these Laddu-Chivda to all the common people,” he said.
“Not only this, our packets go abroad, and BSF jawans standing tall at the border also await the Laddu and Chivda of Pune Merchants Chamber every year,” the member said, adding that around 2000 Kg of Laddu and Chivda will also be given to NGOs, working for the welfare of poor, for free.
When asked about other benefits of the programme, Chorbole said that through the initiative employment is created for the poor. “Around 150 workers from Rajasthan and nearly 750 women work in day and night shifts for preparing Laddu and Chivda,” he added.
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