Nagpur: Runadhar Charitable Trust, a noble initiative to provide skill development training and monthly monetary assistance to the kin of Vidarbha farmers who committed suicide, was officially inaugurated at the hands of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on the occasion of Republic Day. Bhagwat provided pay cheques as a financial relief to the families of the selected deceased farmers at the event held here at Mundle Sabhagruha.
Nine prominent people from various sections of the city have joined to float Runadhar Charitable Trust with a noble cause, similar on the lines of Naam Foundation by Nana Patekar and Makrand Anaspure.
The nine persons include chairman of Vishvaraj Infrastructure Limited Arun Lakhani, who is president of the trust, corporator Sandip Joshi and Dr Pramod Giri, both vice-presidents, secretary Parag Saraf, joint-secretary Vrushali Deshpande, treasurer Dr Manoj Singarkhiya, and Dayal Mulchandani, Deepa Kale and Prashant Dani as members.
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Tuesday 21 Jan. 2025
The members under their trust look forward to provide monthly assistance of Rs 4000 to the affected families in the region, for a period of one year. The trust and its activities differ from that been done or planned by other social organizations. The team of nine persons established the trust two years ago. They appointed two students who had completed Master in Social Work and conducted a survey to find out what exactly is the main requirement for family members, especially children, of farmers who committed suicide.
Joshi informed the project will begin with financial assistance to 100 families of deceased farmers. “We have identified 100 families from 14 tehsils in Wardha district and four tehsils in Nagpur district. We received response from 100 persons wishing to adopt a family each. We will deposit cheque of Rs 4,000 per month in the account of all 100 families for one year. Then the initiative will be stopped, as we feel continuous financial assistance is not a solution. This is planned as we have to begin with some concrete step,” he said
Appreciating the initiative, Bhagwat said that move was not for publicity but a new way to sensitize people towards the plight of farmers. He added, “There should proper introspection into the reasons why the peasants are inclined towards ending their lives. One should also understand it is not only the prerogative of the government to provide adequate relief to the affected farmers but also every individual should pay concern towards the situation.”
He said though the initiative may not change the enteir scenario, it can bring about a spark of change.
