The escalating tensions between India and Pakistan have started affecting more than just diplomatic ties and border security. A unique wave of patriotism is sweeping across sweet shops in Jaipur, where shopkeepers are now renaming traditional sweets to remove the word ‘Pak’ from their names—replacing it with ‘Shri’ or ‘Bharat’ instead.
So now, sweets like ‘Moti Pak’ are being sold as ‘Moti Shri’, ‘Aam Pak’ is becoming ‘Aam Shri’, ‘Gond Pak’ is now ‘Gond Shri’, and the iconic ‘Mysore Pak’ has been renamed ‘Mysore Shri’.
But this isn’t just a cosmetic change. Behind the renaming lies a deep sense of national pride. Shopkeepers say that in recent times, many customers have requested that the word ‘Pak’ be removed, as it reminds them of Pakistan—something they feel uneasy about given the current situation. After discussing among themselves, several sweet sellers have started altering the names to reflect patriotic sentiment.
Some other sweets getting renamed include ‘Bikaneri Moti Pak’, now called ‘Bikaneri Moti Shri’, ‘Chandi Bhasm Pak’ as ‘Chandi Bhasm Shri’, and ‘Swarn Bhasm Pak’ as ‘Swarn Bhasm Shri’. Customers have largely welcomed the move, viewing it as a small yet meaningful act of patriotism. Many have expressed that hearing an Indian term like ‘Shri’ in the name of a sweet brings a sense of peace and satisfaction, making them feel like they are contributing something positive toward the nation.
Several members of the local sweets association are also supporting this initiative. There are now talks of implementing the name change across the entire state of Rajasthan, replacing ‘Pak’ with ‘Shri’ or ‘Bharat’ in traditional sweet names. Interestingly, the decision didn’t originate from the business owners alone; it was prompted by customer demand and a collective wave of patriotism.
This change has been widely discussed on social media as well, where users are applauding the initiative. Shop owners have clarified that this is not a marketing strategy but a heartfelt, emotional decision inspired by current socio-political sentiments. While the word ‘Pak’ originally means ‘cooked’ or ‘delicacy’, its current association with Pakistan has made it unpalatable for many.
Thus, iconic sweets like ‘Moti Pak’, ‘Mysore Pak’, ‘Gajar Pak’, ‘Gond Pak’, and ‘Aam Pak’ are now appearing with new names that reflect a more nationalistic flavor. People are viewing this as more than just a name change—it’s a way of achieving mental and emotional harmony.
Many well-known sweet makers and catering service providers in Jaipur have come forward in support of this initiative, stating that they too will soon rename their sweets with more patriotic titles. This move highlights how patriotism in Indian society extends beyond speeches and posters—it finds expression in the simplest things, even in the name of a sweet.
