Pune University Celebrates Diwali with 600 Students Unable to Visit Home
Pune, 7th November 2026: Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) celebrated Diwali with around 600 students staying in its hostels who could not travel home for the festival. The university organised a special Diwali faral (traditional festive snacks) distribution programme to ensure that students living away from their families could experience the joy and warmth of the festival.
The initiative was jointly organised by the university’s Board of Student Development and the Student Hostel Department on November 7 at the girls’ and boys’ hostels.
Several students from different parts of the country come to Pune to pursue higher education at the university. However, due to various circumstances, some are unable to return home during the Diwali holidays. Keeping their emotional well-being and festive spirit in mind, the university organised the programme to make them feel part of a larger family.
Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Gosavi, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr Parag Kalkar and Registrar Dr Prafulla Pawar distributed traditional Diwali snacks among the students. The senior university officials also interacted with the students and extended their festive greetings.
The programme was attended by Senate member Dr Rajendra Ghode, Hostel Warden Dr Geeta Shinde, In-charge Director of the Board of Student Development Dr Savita Kulkarni and In-charge Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) Dr Ganesh Bhame.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Gosavi extended his Diwali wishes to the students. The initiative highlighted the university’s recognition of students’ emotional well-being, happiness and overall development alongside their academic progress.
A total of 600 students from both hostels who could not visit their homes for Diwali benefited from the initiative. Through the distribution of festive snacks and interaction with university officials, the programme aimed to strengthen students’ sense of belonging and reinforce the idea that the university is not merely an educational institution but also a home away from home.
