MUMBAI: Ahead of Diwali, a major festival,former minister and senior Congress leader Arif Naseem Khan has reached out to around 20,000 Hindu families with packets of rava, shugar and maida which are used to make sweets. Instead of giving packets of sweets, he is giving materials to prepare sweets at home as part of tradition to share Diwali gifts
"Our volunteers first select an area, distribute coupons among the families. These families receive the packets of one kg each carrying rava, shugar and maida which are ingredients to make sweets, " said Khan.
On Saturday and Sunday this past week, long queues of residents in Chandivali assembly area were seen collecting the Diwali gifts from different counters Khan's workers put up.
"This is a gesture. Diwali is a time to spread sweetness and happiness. This beautiful festival reminds us that our bond is long and unbreakable though some forces arr trying to create fissure. Giving Giving some reasons to smile to some families makes us happy, " added Khan who was minority development minister in the previous Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra.
Though Khan lost the last assembly election by s slender margin, he is leaving no stone unturned to win his seat. He is trying trying to reach out to different sections of voters in many ways, visiting pooja pandals, Eid milan parties and ceremonies of Christians too.
