In a heartwarming initiative, the CSR arm of JM Financial Group organized a distinctive Haldi-Kumkum ceremony on January 14, 2024, in Pune. The event was specially dedicated to Covid-widowed mothers and their children, providing them with a unique celebration on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti.
This special ceremony is an extension of the JM Financial Shiksha Samarthan project, a nationwide CSR endeavor aimed at providing financial assistance for school education (up to grade 12) to children who have lost one or both parents to Covid. Out of the 166 beneficiary mothers invited from the Pune region, 64 actively participated in the Haldi-Kumkum ceremony.
The inspiration behind this event emerged last year when, during a virtual Makar Sankranti celebration, the Covid-widowed mothers expressed a silent longing for the festivities they once enjoyed. Traditionally, Makar Sankranti holds significance as a joyous occasion symbolizing happiness, prosperity, and pride in marital status for women. However, without their husbands, these women often face social and cultural isolation, evident in their exclusion from Haldi-Kumkum celebrations and societal expectations on their attire.
The event not only aimed to bring joy to the mothers but also provided an opportunity for the 89 children accompanying them to partake in games, music, and dance organized by the JM Financial Foundation. The celebration served as a reminder that festivity and happiness are not reserved for specific marital statuses, allowing these mothers to dance with abandon, reclaiming a sense of privilege and joy.
