Malshej: Marking Navratri with a message of compassion and service, social organisation Helping Hand distributed sarees to 150 tribal women in a village in the Malshej area, aiming to spread festive joy and support women from underprivileged communities.

During Navratri, devotees traditionally offer sarees and cholis to the Goddess. Inspired by this tradition, Helping Hand launched an initiative encouraging citizens to extend the gesture to needy women and bring happiness into their lives.

The organisation appealed to citizens for donations and received requests from several women in need. However, collecting enough sarees for everyone posed a challenge. Through individual contributions, the organisation eventually collected 150 sarees, reflecting the spirit of the Marathi saying, “Thembe Thembe Tale Saache” (little drops make an ocean).

The sarees were distributed among 150 tribal women, many of whom work hard every day to support their families. The initiative aimed to make them feel valued and respected while sharing the joy and spirit of the festival.

The programme also included the worship of the Goddess as part of the Navratri celebrations, reinforcing the message of recognising and respecting women in society.

Sachin Raut of Helping Hand expressed gratitude to all citizens who contributed to making the initiative successful. He highlighted the importance of collective efforts in bringing meaningful change to the lives of those in need.

The organisation said, “The initiative was guided by the belief that serving women who embody the strength and spirit of Goddess Durga and Bhavani is a meaningful way to celebrate the festival.”

Through this effort, Helping Hand sought to combine religious tradition with social responsibility, demonstrating how community participation can make festivals more inclusive and joyful for those who need support.