A growing crisis for the state.
By Dileep Thekkethil
Students of a Mumbai-school have donated Rs. 20 Lakh (approximately $29,412) to alleviate the misery of people in drought-hit regions of Maharashtra.
According to the school authorities, one of the presentations shown to the students by a Mumbai-based journalist exposed the gravity of water scarcity in many parts of Maharashtra. This instigated the students to collect funds for the people who suffer in Marathwada region of Maharashtra.
Principal of Cathedral & John Connon School Meera Isaacs was quoted by PTI saying, “It was a presentation on the drought in Marathwada by a former student, who is a media professional, that brought home the scale of the crisis.”
The presentation showed students the barren lands in many parts of Mumbai and people who live there, including children and women.
Meera added, “The students, jolted by scenes of parched lands, abandoned children, some younger than them, raised funds. They also pooled in money set aside for sports and social events and even raised funds by selling T-shirts.
“We handed over Rs 15 lakh to Naam Foundation, led by actors Nana Patekar and Makrand Anaspure,” the principal said, who also said that an additional Rs 5 lakh collected from the members of the board members was given to the people in draught affected areas for education of children.
According to the principal of the school, their chairman who was disturbed by the news of a young mother committing suicide in a Maharashtra-village due to drought, was one of the reasons why they decided to help villages in the area.
“During Uttarakhand tragedy, our students collected Rs 45 lakh and at the time of Kashmir floods they raised Rs 22 lakh. Last year, we contributed towards drought relief through Dilasa NGO,” Meera said.