In a progressive move to support the women participants of the Ashadhi Wari 2024, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced the distribution of free sanitary napkins to women warkaris during their stay in the city. This initiative aligns with the annual Palkhi procession of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, which will commence from Dehu and Alandi on June 28 and 29, respectively.
Distribution of Sanitary Napkins and Vending Machines
The PMC has instructed its officials to ensure the distribution of free sanitary napkins to the women warkaris. Additionally, the administration will set up sanitary vending machines at its 15 ward offices, where the warkaris will halt during their journey. This initiative aims to promote hygiene and provide essential sanitary products to women warkaris.
In collaboration with Procter & Gamble (P&G), the Solid Waste Management Department of PMC will distribute around 51,000 sanitary napkins. This significant effort is part of a broader plan to ensure the well-being and comfort of women participants during the religious procession.
Provision of Portable and Mobile Toilets
To maintain hygiene and accommodate the large number of warkaris, approximately 1,690 portable and mobile toilets will be provided. These toilets will be strategically placed in PMC and private schools across the city. PMC workers will clean the mobile toilets three times a day using specialized machinery, ensuring a sanitary environment for the warkaris. Additionally, bathhouses have been set up in the Bhawani Peth area specifically for women to use during their stay.
Sanitation and Hygiene Measures
Deputy Commissioner of PMC’s Solid Waste Management Department, Sandip Kadam, emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene during the Palkhi procession. He stated, “We have instructed all the ward offices to distribute the sanitary napkins to the women warkaris. Apart from that, we have also directed the ward officers to set up portable toilets across the city and proper guidelines have been issued to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. Free medical checkups and medicines will also be provided by PMC, and everything is being taken care of.”
To ensure efficient sanitation, 600 safai sevaks (cleaning workers) have been deployed, including 350 male and 250 female workers. An additional 60 workers from other regional offices will join the cleaning efforts in the Bhawani Peth Regional Office from June 30 to July 2. The Solid Waste Management Department has also supplied 2,625 liters of germicide, 37,500 kg of carbolic powder, and 11,250 kg of herbal waste street powder to all field offices to maintain cleanliness in public areas.
Schedule and Halts of the Palkhi Procession
The Palkhi procession will see the Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palkhis starting their journeys from Dehu and Alandi, respectively. Upon arriving in Pune city on June 30, both palkhis will rest—the Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi at Nivdunga Vitthal Mandir and the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palkhi at the Palkhi Vithoba Mandir. On the following day, July 1, both palkhis will continue their separate journeys towards Pandharpur.
