Palghar: NGO distributes dry ration in 19 tribal villages

Mahavir International got CSR funds from RCF, Concor Air Ltd after reading about the plight of tribals in mid-day’s special series

After mid-day’s hard-hitting reports on how the pandemic has seriously affected Palghar, filmmakers, NGOs and corporate firms under their CSR activities have come forward to distribute dry ration kits to the tribals there. A non-religious social service organisation, Mahavir International, in support of corporate firms Rashtriya Chemicals Fertilisers (RCF) Ltd and Concor Air Ltd under their CSR activities, took the initiative to distribute 1,000 dry ration kits in tribal dominated hamlets on Tuesday.

In May, mid-day had published a series of stories with the slug: ‘Pandemic Hits Palghar Hard’ and highlighted the pathetic conditions of the tribals who were battling the pandemic, as the government had not spread awareness among them on how to safeguard themselves. Most of the tribals, who work in brick factories, are jobless and at home as these factories are shut in the pandemic.

An NGO member distributing food items to residents

When mid-day visited tribal hamlets in Jawhar and Mokhada talukas in May, none of them were seen wearing masks. Most of them were not even aware what a pandemic is while people were dying of Covid-19 and safety protocols were not being followed.

The children and pregnant women are malnourished in the tribal dominated villages and the women have to walk for miles to fetch drinking water on their heads.

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Corporate firms get together

After reading these crucial issues of tribals in May in mid-day, Mumbai zone chairperson of Mahavir International Suman Jain contacted this correspondent. “After reading mid-day’s articles on tribals, I decided to reel in corporate firms to help the needy people in the tribal dominated hamlets of Palghar district. Two corporate firms including Concor Air Ltd and RCF have come forward to help our initiative under their CSR activities,” Jain told mid-day.

“On July 28, we distributed dry ration kits, chocolates and biscuits in 19 villages of three talukas including Vikramgarh, Jawhar and Mokhada in Palghar district,” added Jain, who claimed that 1,000 dry ration kits were distributed on Tuesday.

Affected residents of Palghar with the ration kits distributed by Khana Chahiye foundation in June. Pics/Hanif Patel

“We have also distributed masks to the tribals,” she added. Jain further added that she is planning to start free medical camps in the area where people often suffer cataract issues. “There are many areas in the tribal dominated villages that are lacking and they need to be taken care of. This could be possible only when a number of corporate firms and NGOs join hands,” she said.

The Chief Executive Officer and Director of Concor Air Limited, Atul Rane said, “Concor sincerely thanks Mahavir International for being with us in this noble cause for distribution of dry ration kits to needy families of Palghar district during the pandemic.”

The Deputy General Manager, Corporate Communication and CSR at RCF, Sanjay Jagtap, said, “RCF in association with Mahavir International distributed ration kits to the tribal families who had become jobless in this pandemic and needed immediate support.”

Distribution in villages

Filmmaker Neeraj Udhwani reached out to the NGO Khana Chahiye on Twitter to ask if they could help and provide ration to the needy tribals in Palghar. He has volunteered with it.  “On June 16, a total of 300 ration kits were distributed among tribals in Jawhar and Wada talukas. The distribution drive covered the villages Aadkhadak, Naangarmoda, Chauthyachiwadi and Sawarpada amongst others,” said Udhwani.

A Palghar resident with a ration kit distributed by NGO Mahavir International

“I am happy that I could be of some assistance in these difficult times. I am grateful to Khana Chahiye for providing ration kits in time to the needy of Palghar,” Udhwani said.

“Khaana Chahiye Foundation has been sending aid to families in distress across Mumbai Metropolitan Region,” said Neeraj Shetye from the Foundation, which is also currently sending supplies to those affected in the Chiplun floods.

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