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Help starts pouring in for Kutch Maldharis in Sanand

Helping Hand: Khedut Samaj dispatches first batch of sugarcane cattle feed from Surat

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Khedut Samaj Gujarat volunteers dispatching fodder to Sanand
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Help has started pouring in for Maldharis from Kutch, who have migrated to Sanand in Ahmedabad district, as successive drought in the desert district has left these cattle rearers with no water and fodder to sustain their cattle. They are being forced by district administration to return to Kutch. However, if they return, they will risk death of their remaining cattle, an estimated 10,000 in number.

Following media reports of the plight of these Muslim Maldharis, city-based lawyer Anand Yagnik roped in Khedut Samaj Gujarat and made public appeal to donate in cash and kind. The efforts bore fruit and the first batch of sugarcane cattle feed was dispatched from Surat on Saturday. "We have dispatched two trucks of sugarcane feed of about 15 tonnes. We have planned to dispatch at least one truck daily to Sanand," Khedut Samaj Gujarat president Jayesh Patel told DNA. The feed consists of specialized crop of sugarcane to be used exclusively for fodder. The market rate is Rs 3.5 per kg of fodder so a tonne of fodder costs Rs 3,500. Based on the demand the fodder would be dispatched, informed Patel. The region in and around Kamrej is well known for this variety of fodder.

Talking to DNA, advocate Anand Yagnik said that Muslim Maldharies, who have migrated to Sanand, have already lost about 3,000 of their cattle. "The government has supported other maldharies in Dhrangadhra and surrounding region. But these maldharies were not extended any support from the government and instead told to return to Kutch. The risk is that their cattle are not fit enough to safely return to Kutch. They will die. Cows and buffaloes do not have religion," said Yagnik.

He informed that close to 22,000 messages were sent through Whatsapp and other messaging apps, which resulted in donors pouring in with charity in cash and kind from Hindus and Muslims. Patel said that after the influx of donations, he is confident that Khedut Samaj will be able to meet the requirements of migrant Maldharis from Kutch.

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