The youths in Pune are championing the cause of the differently-abled during this year’s 250-km-long Wari pilgrimage. A group created by software professionals is encouraging the city’s youth who are on their way to the shrine of Lord Vithoba in Pandharpur to spend time with disabled persons.
IT Dindee, was formed by 1,300-odd IT professionals from Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik and Mumbai, to guide young professionals in Pune who are unsure of the route charted for the pilgrimage. The warkaris carry palanquins bearing footprints of the saints Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram from Alandi and Dehu to Pandharpur. Each year, volunteers of the group walk with the warkaris and promote a constructive message. This time, with the cry of ‘ Veer Jawan Sange , Hari Naam Range ’, the volunteers visited the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre in Khadki.
Enriching, humbling
Amruta Raut, a resident of Sadashiv Peth, said the experience was enriching and humbling. She said, “The IT Dindee group proved to be a good guide along the Wari routes. I enjoyed the journey right from the darshan of Lord Vitthal Alandi to the warkaris’ entry into Pune.”
This year also saw the launch of Apangachi Dindi, an exclusive Wari for the physically challenged. The brainchild of Deepak Doble, a partially-blind youth in his early 20s from Ambegaon, the initiative has received an enthusiastic response after word was spread via WhatsApp. Physically challenged people joined the Saint Dnyaneshwar procession from Alandi to Pandharpur.
Mr. Doble said, “When I was younger, I could not discern separate dindis for disabled persons in the Sant Tukaram or Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi procession. So I came up with this idea and was overwhelmed by the response.” More than 100 persons of various disabilities from across western Mahaarshtra and Marathwada participated in the special pilgrimage. Mr. Doble said the differently-abled from areas ranging from Daund to Junnar and Paithan expressed pride in finally being able to participate in a Wari of their own.
Dnyaneshwar Veer, manager of Dnyaneshwar-Muktabai temple at Alandi, said, “Earlier, physically challenged youths had to follow the pilgrimage on television. Now they can fulfil their dream of participating in it. We have extended our support to the initiative.”
