Over 10,000 diyas lit at Baramati's Sunset Point on Diwali Padwa in tribute to Ajit Pawar

More than 10,000 diyas were lit and thousands of mobile phone torches switched on at Sunset Point in Baramati on the evening of Diwali Padwa. The occasion was a remembrance of the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, whom people affectionately called "Dada". The event was named "Ek Latti Dada".

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, youth leader Jay Pawar, Ajit Pawar's sister Vijaya Patil, Rutuja Jay Pawar and other members of the Pawar family were present. Office-bearers, party workers and thousands of people from the city and across the taluka also attended.

Diwali Padwa has long been a special day in Baramati's calendar. For many years, Ajit Pawar met people from morning until late at night on this day. Whether they were ordinary citizens or party workers, he heard everyone's problems and gave time to each. This was the first Padwa without him, and the event was held to remember that absence.

People came with diyas of their own accord. There was no formal invitation and no ceremony. According to the organisers, the crowd was far larger than they had expected.

The most striking moment of the event was a huge rangoli portrait of Ajit Pawar, made by Mahendra Dixit, Bharat Kale, Siddharth Kamble and Vedant Kale. It drew the attention of everyone present.

After the portrait was unveiled, the electric lights across the area were switched off. The crowd then lit diyas and turned on their phone torches as a tribute. Sunset Point lit up in the darkness.

The song "Majha Anand Harwala" was performed during the evening. People recalled the time they had spent with Pawar, his closeness to the public and his work for Baramati. Many in the audience were seen wiping away tears.

Mayor Sachin Satav, corporators Amar Dhumal, Amol Kawle, Vaibhav Jagtap, Sameer Chavan, Navnath Ballal, Pravin Mane, Vishal Hingane and Akshay Dange, and many Pawar supporters helped organise the event.

For those present, the evening was more than a lamp-lighting ceremony. It showed how much place Ajit Pawar holds in the hearts of the people he served. People said the development he brought to Baramati and the trust he earned over the years would be remembered.