‘Special’ gudis in market a rage this festive season

THANE: Even as the markets across the city have been flooded with stalls selling traditional and innovative gudis in preparation of Gudi Padwa, the vibrant gudis made by specially-abled students of city-based Vishwas Center for the mentally challenged continue to remain popular amongst citizens and even those abroad now.

These simple Paithani bordered cloth wrapped gudis, creatively embedded with golden beads and other such decorative intricacies by this group of 25 creative students have been selling like hot cakes as citizens gear up for the traditional festivities of the Maharashtrian New Year.

“Till last year I saw my neighbour purchase these handcrafted gudis for her relatives abroad and herself, and so I decided to get a few for my family this Gudi Padwa. I visited the center and met these special youngsters, who proudly handed me one of their works of arts. I was so touched, that I decided to come here every year,” said Geeta Shinde, a Naupada resident.

While many citizens, like Shinde, have placed orders for these gudis for themselves, many others have been purchasing them in bulk for their relatives abroad.

“Buying these beautiful gudis from the youth at Vishwas Center not only helps me find truly unique gudis for my home, but also helps me support them in some way. I always buy their gudis in bulk and send some to my relatives in the US,” said Riddhima Joshi, a Khopat resident.

This group of special students, who have been giving their creative spins to rakhis, kandeel, diyas and gudis during various festivals over the years have managed to already create around 200 handcrafted gudis this year, 150 of which have already been sold off.

Meena Kshirsagar, the principal of the center said, “We have 25 special students above the age of 18 and we provide them with the material, show them how to make the gudis, explain the significance of their product and sell it below market price. We then give them their hard earned monetary incentive per piece which makes them feel on par with their earning family members.”

“While we guide them on assembling the Paithani-bordered cloth, the stick and the small traditional pot or tambi, they add their own creative touches to it with the decorative sequins, beads and so on. They started working on this a month ago, have completed over 200 so far and are in the process of making 100 more. Of these over 150 have been sold, many and about a dozen have been sent abroad as well,” added Kshirsagar.

Buying these beautiful gudis from special youths from the Thane center not only helps me find truly unique gudis for my home, but also helps me support them in some way. I always buy their gudis in bulk and send some to my relatives in the US.