<p>With people in drought-affected Marathwada region continuing to face hardships, Ganpati mandals in Mumbai have decided to donate to their cause, and have also highlighted water conservation in their celebrations.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“It has been taken up as a mission,” Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS) president Naresh Dahibawkar told Deccan Herald.<br /><br />Maharashtra’s Charity Commissioner Shashikant Savale has appealed to all mandals in the state to kept aside Rs 5,000 each for the fund.<br /><br />The 10-day-long Ganeshotsav starts on September 17 on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, and ends on September 27 at Anant Chaturdashi.<br /><br />Boosting morale <br /><br />“With collective initiative, we have to boost the morale of farmers and help them tide over the crisis,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said.<br /><br />Dahibawkar said the BSGSS — the apex body of Ganpati mandals in Mumbai and its suburbs — has sent out a message to all mandals to donate directly to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, so the money is in safe hands. <br /><br />“All Ganpati mandals are trying to donate 10-20 per cent of their collections for drought relief,” he said, adding that there are 11,556 registered mandals in Mumbai and its eastern and western suburbs. <br /><br />Several mandals have also decided to keep collection boxes meant for drought relief near idols.</p>
<p>With people in drought-affected Marathwada region continuing to face hardships, Ganpati mandals in Mumbai have decided to donate to their cause, and have also highlighted water conservation in their celebrations.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“It has been taken up as a mission,” Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS) president Naresh Dahibawkar told Deccan Herald.<br /><br />Maharashtra’s Charity Commissioner Shashikant Savale has appealed to all mandals in the state to kept aside Rs 5,000 each for the fund.<br /><br />The 10-day-long Ganeshotsav starts on September 17 on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, and ends on September 27 at Anant Chaturdashi.<br /><br />Boosting morale <br /><br />“With collective initiative, we have to boost the morale of farmers and help them tide over the crisis,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said.<br /><br />Dahibawkar said the BSGSS — the apex body of Ganpati mandals in Mumbai and its suburbs — has sent out a message to all mandals to donate directly to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, so the money is in safe hands. <br /><br />“All Ganpati mandals are trying to donate 10-20 per cent of their collections for drought relief,” he said, adding that there are 11,556 registered mandals in Mumbai and its eastern and western suburbs. <br /><br />Several mandals have also decided to keep collection boxes meant for drought relief near idols.</p>
