Donate water tanker rather than taking ice-bucket challenge, says Nitesh Rane

Nitesh Rane, son of senior Congress leader and state industries minister Narayan Rane, today said that instead of pouring buckets of ice and water over their heads, celebrities should donate water tankers to drought-affected regions of Maharashtra.

"There are currently 123 tehsils in Maharashtra that are facing severe drought. If all the celebrities come together and set an example by donating a water tanker each to these tehsils, it will make a lot of difference to the people staying there," Rane said.

The Ice Bucket Challenge or ALS Ice Bucket Challenge involves dumping a bucket of ice water on one's head to promote awareness about the disease 'Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis' (ALS) and encourage donations to research. It has gone viral on the social media in the past two months.

Rane said there has not been a single case of the disease in India, so people should rather take up a cause that will "change lives of those who desperately need a change." "We have set up a phone number (9819353629) where people can give a missed call to donate. Our representatives will take down the details of the caller and ensure that water is delivered to the drought-affected area....The people will be told who has donated water to them," Rane said.