November 10, 2023: As the festival of Diwali embraces the spirit of joy, lights, and togetherness, Punekars are ensuring that the essence of this celebration transcends borders. Beyond the twinkling lights and festive gatherings, Diwali is a time for sharing love, flavors, and gifts, even when loved ones are miles away. Pune residents have turned to private courier services and post offices to weave the magic of Diwali faral (sweets and snacks) into packages that traverse the globe, bridging the distance with sweetness.
In a heartwarming tradition, residents are utilizing private courier services, enticing offers, and post offices’ packaging stations to send their homemade delights to family members living abroad. From crunchy chaklis to mouthwatering laddoos, these packages are crafted with love and tradition.
For instance, a Pune resident recently embarked on a culinary journey, frying chaklis and rolling laddoos to send to her daughter, a fourth-year medical student in Russia. The gesture reflects the warmth of Diwali traditions, even when oceans apart. Another Puneite, whose daughter is pursuing her fifth year of MBBS in Russia, regularly sends groceries and, this Diwali, has included the delightful faral to ensure a taste of home in a foreign land where Indian cuisine might be scarce.
Similarly, a Pune mom expressed her love by sending Diwali faral to her two sons residing in Spain and Japan. Despite the geographical distance, the mother ensures that her older son, living overseas for a few years, gets his favorite faral every Diwali. This year, her younger son, currently in Spain for a cultural exchange program, is also treated to a taste of home.
The trend of parents sending festive treats to their children studying abroad has witnessed a surge, reflecting the growing number of students opting for international courses.
According to representatives from courier services, the convenience of pick-up and drop services has made private couriers a preferred choice for many families. This year, the demand has soared, with a notable influx of packages heading to Australia, the US, and the UK.
The Pune post office attests to this surge, reporting significant revenue from international air parcels (Rs 2.65 crore) and international speed post (Rs 2.33 crore) so far in this fiscal year. These figures starkly contrast with Rs 1.09 crore and Rs 3.84 crore in 2022–2023, underscoring the extraordinary demand for sharing Diwali joy across borders.
