Pune: Pune’s Sahwardhan group has once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting the armed forces by sending 500 high-quality caps to soldiers stationed in the Siachen glacier, the world’s highest and coldest battlefield on the India-Pakistan border. The group had previously sent 150 mufflers to soldiers of the Maratha Light Infantry in the Galwan Valley in 2021.
Siachen, where soldiers are stationed at temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees Celsius, poses severe challenges that necessitate specialised clothing made using advanced technology. The recently dispatched caps, designed to be worn inside helmets, are crafted from green-coloured and high-quality merino wool, donated by a citizen from Punjab.
Remarkably, only 150 hats were to be shipped from that merino wool in the first phase; however, the Sahwardhan group exceeded expectations by producing 500 caps in just a few days. Notably, 150 of these caps were made by Aditi Valsangkar, a member of the Sahavardhan group who is specially challenged.
These caps, which were originally sourced from Punjab, were made from merino wool, considering the high-quality protection from the extreme conditions for our soldiers. The Sahwardhan group, known for its socially conscious endeavours, took it upon themselves to process the wool into special caps for the soldiers serving at the Siachen glacier.
Before Corona, in 2019, Dr. Ram Datar established Sahavardhan, a WhatsApp group for gardening enthusiasts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Smita Bugde initiated a sub-group named Chhandananda, bringing together women interested in weaving. Members of the Chhandanand group received training in weaving special clothes tailored for the soldiers.
Expressing satisfaction with the group’s efforts, Dr. Ram Datar commended the socially conscious citizens of Pune for their noble act. “The group’s involvement in preparing and sending mufflers for the soldiers in Galwan Valley in 2021, followed by the recent initiative for Siachen soldiers, reflects their unwavering commitment to supporting the armed forces,” he said.
