On Friday a video of veteran actor Nana Patekar breaking down during a TV interview while talking about farmers’ plight went viral.
In an interview to NDTV, the veteran actor was pained to share the sufferings of farmers in his home state, Maharashtra.
Popularly known as Nana, the actor has been tirelessly working towards helping the farmers, who’ve borne both the fury of nature and apathy of politicians.
It’s not surprising then that the suicide rate among the debt-ridden farmers here is the highest in the country.
A data by National Crime Records Bureau in 2015 said that the number of farmers, who committed suicide in Maharashtra was more than half of the total number of suicides committed by farmers nationally.
Last year, the death of a mother, Manisha, who was unable to feed her five children, had shaken the collective conscience of Indians up and down the country.
Also Read | Maharashtra recorded half of India’s farmer suicide cases in 2014
The BJP government, which drew flak from many for choosing to focus on communally divisive agenda such as beef ban and Bharat Mata Ki Jai, it comfortably ignored the most pressing issue affecting farmers’.
On Saturday, twitter users gave a call to support Nana’s new organisation, Naam Foundation, which the actor set up to help farmers with another Marathi actor Makrand Anaspure.
Here’s a snapshot of twitter conversation:
Real Life Hero .@NanaPatekarHere
Lets Help Farmers in Distress
Donate : https://t.co/jG8V0aSk6X#HelpNana4Farmers pic.twitter.com/rfLSW3DXgA— Aarti (@aartic02) April 16, 2016
I don't understand why @narendramodi can't extent the "Mallya Exemption Yojan" to farmers who r killing themselves…#HelpNana4Farmers
— Avinash (@VAvinash) April 16, 2016
This gov can help Ramdev in prospering his own business not someone like Nana Patekar directly working for farmers. Hence #HelpNana4Farmers
— Keshava (@Kumar_Ke5hav) April 16, 2016
Pesticide scam unfolded but agriculture minister still in power #HelpNana4Farmers
— हिन्दुस्तानी (@hiteshabap) April 16, 2016
#HelpNana4Farmers feeling happy after donating Rs 1000 to NAAM foundation. Pls donate and help NANA. pic.twitter.com/Y5dQ1sa7cd
— Logical AAM AADMI #RYP 🔔 (@nitinurpal) April 16, 2016
Everyday a farmer leaves farming but govt does nothing to make farming beneficiary plz help nana#HelpNana4Farmers
— हिन्दुस्तानी (@hiteshabap) April 16, 2016
Nana patekar is the only champion standing 4 farmers#HelpNana4Farmers
— Hitesh (@Hitesh_____) April 16, 2016
Low MSP, costly pesticides, lack of marketing and than unseasonal rains, Jai Kisan tu hi Mahaan #HelpNana4Farmers
— Hitesh (@Hitesh_____) April 16, 2016
Let's help Nana Patekar Foundation for Farmers #HelpNana4Farmers
Donate : https://t.co/1d1Bjkdrws pic.twitter.com/SB3OTn1oKk
— Jitender Singh Khalsa (@jitenderkhalsa) April 16, 2016
Naam Foundation doing great work in Maharashtra drought affected areas. Thanks to Nana & Makrand sir.#HelpNana4Farmers
— Manoj Mhatre (@ManojMhatre_) April 16, 2016
उद्योगपतियों का टैक्स माफ़ करने वाली मोदी सरकार किसानो के ब्याज माफ़ी और मुवावजे देने में आना कानी कररही हैं।
#HelpNana4Farmers— Rahis Khan (@rahiskhan77) April 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/DineshRedbull/status/721180521225666560
