KOLHAPUR: Each year, several cases of suicides by farmers are reported from drought-affected regions in Maharasthra. Vidarbha and Marathwada regions here are the worst-affected but there is a silver lining in the blazing sky here as several youngsters have left cushy jobs and have begun initiatives to help prevent farmer suicides.Close to 3000 youngsters have quit their jobs and are volunteering in the region to ensure that instances of suicides from farmers disappear. Vinayak Hegana, a youth from Kolhapur, is just one of the many who have taken up initiative to give farmers confidence to tackle situations of agrarian crisis. He organises personal counseling sessions with them to boost their morale - especially during times of failed crop output. Hailing from a farming family, Hegana studied agriculture in a Kolhapur college and says repeated farmer suicides compelled him to work for their cause. "We have to do something for the farmers," he says. "After visiting drought affected areas two years back, I decided to make a team for this mission. A team of about 3000 youngsters was created through social media and with the help of some NGOs."Hegana says that they appeal to farmers not to resort to the drastic measure by assuring them of finding a solution to their problems.Professor Kabir Kharade of Shivaji University has also been at the forefront in helping farmers, and supports Hegana's efforts. A website started by him - www.shivarsansad.in - works for the cause of farmers by spreading awareness about their plight.Read this story in Marathi here.