Pune: Continuing a cherished tradition, The Poona Merchants Chamber is set to begin its annual sale of Laddu and Chivda at affordable prices to make Diwali celebrations sweeter for everyone.

The initiative, which aims to make festive treats accessible to the underprivileged, will commence on Thursday, October 24, with the prices witnessing a modest increase of ₹20 per kilogram compared to last year.

Laddu and Chivda Distribution Centers:

• Poona Merchants Chamber Vyapar Bhavan, Gultekdi, Market Yard

• Grahak Peth, opposite S.P. College, Tilak Road, Pune

• Azad Mitra Mandal, Push Mangal Hall, Bibwewadi

• Jayshree Grocery and Dry Fruits Pvt. Ltd., Shop No. 8/9/10, near Bank of Maharashtra, Shivalik Housing Society, Kothrud, Pune

• Bhagat Traders, opposite Abhiruchi Mall, Sinhagad Road

• Jagdish Trading Company, behind Vaibhav Talkies, near Mahesh Co-operative Bank, Hadapsar

• Kuwad Kothari Supply Company, 37/41, Prosperity Society, near Vitthal Temple and Coconut Shop, Karvenagar

• V.N. Enterprises, 81, Abhinav Society, near Padmavati Temple, Dnyanraj, Padmavati

• Urban Bazaar, near Hotel Brahmaved, Manik Bagh, Sinhagad Road

• Pawan Traders, Sangharsh Chowk, Smriddhi Market, Shop No. 22, Chandan Nagar

• Vijay Trading Company, opposite Konark Puram Society, near Kondhwa Bus Stop, Kondhwa Khurd

• Shri Vardhman Jain Shravak Sangh, Shri Vardhman Jain Sthanak Bhavan, near Akurdi Post Office, Viveknagar, Akurdi

• Advocate Yogesh Jain’s Office, near Cantonment Hospital, Khadki

• Sahyadri Seva Pratishthan, Lakshminagar, Parvati

• Chordia Corner, near Shantinagar Society

• New Timber Market, Timber Bhavan

• Diagnol Mall, opposite Tata Motors Material Gate, Chinchwad

• Destination Center Mall, Sinhagad Road, Nanded City

• Punyak Society, Tempo Chowk, Vadgaon Sheri

• Tanishq Society, near Shree Hospital, Kharadi

• BMC College, Shivajinagar, Pune

• Shankarsheth Road, near Seven Loves Chowk

The grand inauguration of this social initiative will be held at 4:30 PM at Najushri Hall, near Gangadham Chowk in Market Yard. Pune District Collector Dr. Suhas Divase, State Cooperation Commissioner Deepak Taware, and State Marketing Director Vikas Rasal will officially inaugurate the sale.

The Poona Merchants Chamber, which operates this initiative on a "no profit, no loss" basis, has been running this Diwali sale for the past 37 years. It has even earned recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records.

This year, Laddus and Chivda will be sold at ₹180 per kilogram, with half a kilogram priced at ₹90. President Raikumar Nahar expressed pride in how the initiative has become a model for trade associations across Maharashtra, inspiring similar efforts to bring affordable festive items to local communities.