The Times Of India
20.04.2016, Nashik:
The prevailing drought situation in the state has turned festivals and religious functions into opportunities to provide a helping hand to the parched areas.
While celebrating Mahaveer Jayanti on Tuesday, Jain Social Group and Jain Seva Sangh in Nashik resolved to adopt 10 remote villages in tribal belt of Nashik district for the next two months. These social organisations will provide water to the villages by arranging private tankers.
"The state is facing one of the worst droughts this year. The people residing in remote hilly villages suffer the most due to drought. Hence, the Jain groups have decided to adopt ten remote villages on Trimbak Road and Peth Road. We will provide one tanker a day to these villages from April 13 to June 15," said Vijay Lohade, president of Jain Social group.
The tribal villages selected for the social service are Kakadpana, Nilumbar, Dhol Ohol, Dehad Mal, Sheoga Pada, Bori Pada, Shin Pada, Beli Pada, Barda Pada and Bablicha Mala. The population of these villages is between 300 and 1,100. Jain Seva Sangh has deployed a special team to manage the entire process.
"The team will insure regular visits of tankers to these villages. We will also monitor whether the residents are receiving complete benefit of the process," Lohade said.
Jain Social Group has also resolved to provide five tonnes of fodder daily to the cattle in three major cow shades in Nashik. The group conducted a blood donation camp on the occasion of Mahaveer Jayanti in which 371 people donated blood.
In the meantime, colourful processions based on the theme 'save water, save life' marked the celebrations early in the morning. Two major processions were taken out in the old city area.
"We also cut down the expenditure on the procession so that funds could be used for the welfare of drought-hit people," said J C Bhandari, President of Jain Seva Sangh.
The newly sanctified 108ft idol of first Jain Teerthankar Lord Rishabhdeva also attracted a huge number of visitors to Mangi Tungi.