Nana Patekar, renowned theatre and film personality, has donned the hat of a real life hero. The spate of suicides among drought-striken farmers in Maharashtra horrified the actor. The poverty and deplorable conditions of the farmer community has spurred Nana and fellow actor Makarand Anaspure to establish a foundation dedicated to provide for farmers and their families.

NAAM Foundation collected Rs 80 lakh on the very same day the foundation got it’s bank account. “We have set up an account for NAAM Foundation and in a day nearly Rs 80 lakh was collected. It’s not true that people are not willing to help those affected, it’s just that they’re not assured if their money goes to the right place or not. But now they have faith in us that we’re doing honest work,” said Nana, as reported by The Indian Express.

Many regions of Maharashtra are grappling with drought due to lack of rain which has adversely affected the farmers. Farmers have committed suicide and unfortunately there seems to be no end. Nana and Makrand have extended financial help to 113 families in Latur and Osmanabad.

Nana and Makarand have appealed to the citizens to come forward and donate generously to the cause. “There is always talk that the government is not doing enough. We put the entire blame on them. But we can do a lot. Let the government do its own work,” said Nana.

Film actor and Nana’s colleague Akshay Kumar offered Rs 90 lakh for the cause. Nana said, “It is heartening that people have come forward and are willing to give money. It’s not true that industry celebrities are not giving money and there are numerous who are willing to donate.”

NAAM’s mission is to build a sustainable and progressive society by facilitating development in rural areas by working on different issues like infrastructure, education, employment, food and so on. India would be a superpower in the coming years only if our villages get self-sufficient and developed, believes NAAM.

To know more about NAAM Foundation, visit naammh.org.

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