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Posted on: May 23, 2013
The Hapless Smile, Finally
The tale of how the distraught and drought-stricken people of Maharashtra find succor, water, hope and much more...
The Indian state of Maharashtra is reeling under, what is believed to be the worst drought in forty years. The Government of Maharashtra has officially declared over 11,000 villages as acutely affected. Of the thirty four districts in Maharashtra, the worst affected are Solapur, Ahmednagar, Sangli, Pune, Satara, Beed and Nashik. The situation, according to officials, is also believed to be serious in Buldhana, Latur, Osmanabad, Nanded, Aurangabad, Jalna, Jalgaon and Dhule districts.
The Government has plunged into a full-fledged relief programme to aid the afflicted masses, and the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation has also stepped in to do its bit. To begin with, a survey was conducted in 20 most affected villages based on information received from the Collector's office and the district presidents of the Sai Organisation. 2000 families were identified, for the 'Amrit Kalash' programme.
These families that have been severely hit due to the drought for the past couple of years, will each be given a package consisting of rice, wheat/jowar, pulses, jaggery, groundnut and milk powder along with Swami’s photo and vibhuti packet. These resources will be sufficient to see them through the two summer months (April-May).
In about 20 villages, potable water is being supplied. These are remote villages that are not effectively covered by the relief work undertaken by the Government.
Apart from this, special attention is also being given to cattle that are starving in these regions. Up to five veterinary camps are being organised, wherein the organisation hopes to cover about 2000 cattle per camp.
This video, made by the Sai Organisation of Maharashtra, is a moving account of the suffering the people of the drought affected areas are enduring, and how the devotees of Bhagawan grabbed the opportunity to live their Master's message. Even as they reached out to these brothers and sisters in distress Bhagawan encourages them, ever so subtly with His love. On 1 May 2013, the members of the youth wing of the Sai Organisation set out with water tankers to begin the Sri Sathya Sai Prem Jal Dhara programme. The village chosen was a remote, and not-so-easily accessible village called Walhe in Jejuri district. And the most heartening thing is this - as the tankers entered the village, the heavens opened and welcomed the youth with gracious showers.
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