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Journalism of Courage
From a school student who brought a few chocolates, to a postman who donated 5 kilograms of rice, and a housewife who contributed household utensils, over 5,000 large-hearted residents of Kolhapur put their best foot forward in the past few days and extended help to the flood-affected people of Maharashtra in whichever way possible.
At least 10 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents across Maharashtra in over 48 hours, while more than 11,800 people have been rescued from flood-affected areas, including Marathwada, one of the hardest hit regions, officials said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for four districts – Mumbai suburban, Raigad, Thane, and Palghar – warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places.
“On Monday, we sent 28 vehicles with kits that contained essential items for the people of flood-affected Marathwada. Besides, there are 600 blankets and primary medical aid. These vehicles were sent to Parbhani, Latur, Dharashiv, Nanded, and Solapur districts,” Member of Legislative Council Satej Patil of the Congress told The Indian Express on Tuesday. “Today also, a few vehicles left with the kits. We want to cover as many districts as possible. As the aid keeps coming, we will send more vehicles,” Patil added.
People from different strata of society, including labourers and even school students, rushed to help following an appeal by Satej Patil.
“From school students, ordinary citizens, activists, teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, social and voluntary organisations, party workers and leaders, all are coming forward and donating whatever is possible from their end. We will take this help directly to the doorstep of the villagers who are worst affected by the floods. Our Congress workers, both in Kolhapur and Marathwada regions, are coordinating the distribution of aid,” Patil said.
Patil mentioned that he was touched when some people who came forward were apologetic over their helplessness in not being able to contribute in a better way. He recalled one person as saying, “I can only extend this much help…I don’t have that much money to extend a bigger help…I wish I had.”
Marathi actors too have stepped forward to pitch in their best for the flood-hit community. Subodh Bhave, the most-sought-after actor in Maharashtra, has taken the initiative through the Kalakar for Maharashtra Group, which he had set up at the time of the Sangli-Kolhapur flood two years ago. Actors Sonali Kulkarni, Ankush Chaudhary, Ravi Jadhav, Sai Tamhankar, Viju Mane, Sukanya Kulkarni, Sushant Shelar, and others are part of the group. ”We are all an integral part of the group,” he said.
Bhave has also released a video appealing to people to extend their best possible help for the flood-affected people of Marathwada.
Some of the actors are personally donating items, including blankets and carpets, he said.
Bhave said there are two trucks — one from Pune and one from Sangli — filled with essential items that are leaving for Solapur on Tuesday. ”On Saturday, we will be sending essential items meant for women and children. We don’t know the number of people who have come forward to donate essential items. But scores of them stepped forward,” said Bhave.
Harshda Jadhav, a reel star on social media, said that he would be visiting the flood-ravaged areas to take stock of the situation. “People are asking me to make a video for flood-affected people of Marathwada. Instead of making videos, I think it is better to provide essential items to the flood-affected people. This is what the flood-hit citizens need at this moment. I will be going to Marathwada and reaching out to them with whatever help is possible from my end. I also appeal to people to extend their best possible help to our flood-affected brethren,” Jadhav said.
Muslim activist Anjum Inamdar said several Muslims organisations are surveying the amount of help required in the Marathwada region. “In a day or two, we will be sending essential items required for the flood-hit people,” he said. Inamdar said the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Nanded unit, has already sent essential items such as grains and education materials, including notebooks, for students.
