Pune: Are you a true Punekar? Then we are sure that you love 'jagat bhari' (world's best) item: Bhakarwadi. This humble Maharashtrian fried snack is commonly found in every household in Pune.

Now if you are living in Pune it is 'mandatory' to know that one should gorge on the Bhakarwadi made by Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale. They are the pioneers in making this snack globally popular.

For those who don't know what is Bakharwadi, it is a small roll of wheat flour, gram flour, groundnut oil, cumin, coriander powder, chili, sugar, salt and sesame.

The crispy Bakharwadi is a tea-time snack and the taste never waivers. Now, what if we tell you the readily available product can be yours at no cost? Yes. You read it right.

Now, the MCCIA (Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture) and Chitale Group in Pune started one of its kind initiative for citizens to come forward and get the COVID-19 vaccine jabs and get packets of Bhakarwadi free.

The Chitale Group is offering free Bhakarwadi after receiving the jab at multiple COVID-19 vaccination centre. The unique initiative is carried under the Pune Platform for COVID Response (PPCR).

Prashant Girbane, Director General MCCIA said, “The initiative is a part of PPCR, a model that is supporting interactions between hospitals and administrations for a smooth coordination. After getting the jab of the vaccine we are offering Bakharwadi to the beneficiaries."

Indraneel Chitale, Partner at Chitale Group said, " It's a unique concept and we wanted to boost people to come forward and receive vaccines.

We have volunteers at multiple centres around the city. Till date, we distributed 5,000 packets of Bhakarwadi after each shot."

Bhakarwadi is one of the highest-selling items at all shops at Chitale Bandhu across Pune, a swelter of shops who took their brand to fame through the little snack.

Naidu Hospital, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Hospital in Wanowrie, Late Gyanba Tukaram Hospital in Dhanori, Rajiv Gandhi Hospital in Yerawada, Annasaheb Magar Hospital in Hadapsar, Minatai Thackeray Hospital in Wadgaon Sheri are some of the centres where Pune's famous snack is distributed.

World's biggest vaccination drive was started in the country in January. Fast forward to April, the central government has allowed all above age of 45 to get vaccine jab in the country.

Also, Pune district reported 10,226 fresh cases in span of 24 hours. The city reported 5,600 cases while Pimpri Chinchwad notched 2,904 new COVID-19 cases.

So Punekars, if you want to gorge on our beloved snack for free, come ahead and get your vaccine jab first!