In a wave of symbolic patriotism following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, sweet shops across Jaipur are renaming their popular sweets — dropping the word ‘Pak’ and replacing it with ‘Shree’.
So, Mysore Pak is now Mysore Shree, Aam Pak is Aam Shree, Gond Pak becomes Gond Shree, and even premium offerings like Swarn Bhasm Pak and Chandi Bhasm Pak have been renamed Swarn Shree and Chandi Shree.
More Than a Name – A Sentiment
For sweet makers, the move is about more than just changing labels. It’s about expressing national pride through everyday experiences.
“The spirit of patriotism shouldn’t only live at the border but in every Indian home,” said Anjali Jain, owner of Tyohaar Sweets in Vaishali Nagar. “We weren’t happy after what happened in Pahalgam and this is our peaceful protest.”
Her sentiments are echoed across the city, with Bombay Misthan Bhandar and Agarwal Caterers also joining the culinary name-change movement.
“It’s our sweet and symbolic response to the enemies of the nation,” said Vineet Trikha, General Manager at Bombay Misthan Bhandar. “This way, we show unity from the battlefield to the bazaar.”
Customers seem to be resonating with the gesture.
“Changing a sweet’s name may seem small, but it’s a big message. It shows unity and pride,” said Ramesh Bhatia, a Jaipur-based businessman.
Pushpa Kaushik, a retired schoolteacher, shared, “Hearing ‘Mysore Shree’ made me smile. It felt like a sweet tribute to our soldiers — simple, heartfelt, and meaningful.”
Cultural Shift or Symbolism?
The word ‘Pak’, as per dictionaries like Rekhta, has Persian origins, meaning “confection” or “pure”. In Hindi, it refers to “cookery” or “preparation”. But in today’s charged political and emotional climate, for some, ‘Pak’ has become a word of discomfort due to its resemblance to “Pakistan”.
Now, even smaller sweet shops in Jaipur are following the lead, changing their product names to align with the sentiment.
This may be a small act — a word swapped on a sweet box — but in Jaipur, it’s a powerful reminder that even everyday treats can carry deep meaning when the nation unites in spirit.
