Citizens adopt drought-affected families

The current drought in Maharashtra is making the headlines regularly as the water crisis gets from bad to worse, affecting a large number of people. Everyone from celebrities to NGOs have approached the drought-affected people with help and, now, even common citizens are coming forward and adopting affected families.

Mumbai resident Sandeep Shah says: "The measures taken by the government and others will not suffice and it's time that we came to the forefront and helped drought-affected people. I can't reach the affected regions but, with the help of NGO Seva Foundation, I have been donating a fixed amount of Rs5000 for the past two months."

In the wake of the drought, many families from far-flung areas of the state have even started migrating to the cities in search of employment and food. "I came to know from one of my friends that the families who have migrated here are in need of food and water. To help them with the same, I, along with my friends, have donated meals. We have fixed day-to-day responsibilities and are helping them in different," says Advait Patel, another Mumbai resident.

Ensuring food and water for the migrants is a priority for many of those coming forward to help, but there are few who have even adopted families and are providing financial help to them. Ramesh Verma, a Vashi resident, says: "I have always wanted to help people but could not find a way to do so. I am a retired professional and I wanted to give something back to society. Hence, I adopted two families and have been helping them for the past one year."

Youngsters, too, have taken up the cause seriously and many are offering technical expertise for helping locals with water conservation measures, which involves deepening rivers and taking effective measures. Vivek Bhagat, an IT professional, is extending help through NGO Jal Jaggar. "During my engineering studies, I had done extensive research on water-saving measures and on how we can conserve enough water during the monsoon without employing the costly rainwater harvesting system. I have visited a few rural areas, surveyed the places and advised people on how they can conserve water."

A group of people from the city who are donating money for seeds and fertilisers add: "Water and soil conservation will definitely help the situation but what would the farmers do with no money to purchase seeds? To help them towards this end, we have reached out to Nanded-based NGO Milaap and handed over kharif crop seeds and fertilisers, which would be of help to the affected farmers."