25,000 ration kits and 500,000 lakh food packets were already distributed prior to appeal
All over Mumbai, the Jain community is taking measures to ensure that the ones most disadvantaged are fed during the lockdown. In the same spirit Borivali 27 Jain sangh distributed 25,000 ration kits to poor, migrant laborers and needy during lockdown. This was done before the appeal was made from state government.
The District Collector of Mumbai suburban Milind Borikar, on behalf of Government of Maharashtra written a letter, appealing Borivali 27 Jain sangh to provide 50.000 ration kits to them for distributing among labourerer. The committee members of Borivali 27 Jain sangh called urgent meeting to discuss the appeal made by government. The jain sangh offered to government to provide 10,000 kits, as they had already distributed 25,000 rationing kits. The government accepted their help and gave go ahead.
The Borivali 27 Jain sangh swung in to action for noble cause and started packing 5000 ration kits at their temple premises. The ration kit consisted of Rice, Wheat, Dal, Oil, chili Powder, turmeric Powder and salt. The ration was well enough for one person to survive for a month.
After filling up ration kits, the sangh invited Borivali Tahsildar shri Vinod Dhotre at jain temple to take possession of ration kits. In a simple gathering, jain sangh committee members and local politicians from all prominent party were also invited. It was just to apprise them of jain sangh’s gestures towards society during pandemic. The committee members of Borivali 27 Jain Sangh included Snehal Shah, Prakash Shah, Bipin Shah, Bakulbhai Shah, Jitubhai Shah and others.
There were leading elected politicians from the area attended the event. As it was a social cause for providing ration to needy, no one spoke about politics. The leading politician who attended the programme included, Member of Parliament Shri Gopal Shetty, MLA Sunil Rane, MLA Manisha Tai Chaudhary, MLA Vilas Potnis, Corporator Pravin Bhai Shah, MNS Leader Prasad Kulapkar, corporator Veenaben Doshi and Corporator Haresh Chheda were prominent. All committee members and politicians were well disciplined in maintaining social distancing. All political leaders praised the efforts of Borivali Jain Sangh for their outstanding contribution to society during pandemic.
Snehal Shah Committee member of Borivali 27 Jain Sangh
Speaking to Mumbai Messenger Newspaper Snehal Shah said “Before receiving request from state government we had already distributed 25,000 rationing kits to needy, migrant labourer and poor people in our day to day distribution in different areas of Borivali and Kandivali. But we consider this to be a call from almighty god, so we have arranged 10,000 rationing kits. Initially we have handed over 5000 kits to Tahsildar and remaining 5000 would be handed over soon”.
Snehal shah further added that “This is a collective effort of all members of jain community and I am just a mediator. Whenever there is a need in emergencies, Jain community always came forward and took lead to serve in social causes. We don’t want any recognition about this social cause but just a token of note from common men officials”.
Tahsildar of Borivali, Vinod Dhotre said “On very short notice from government, Borivali 27 Jain Sangh promptly swung into action and handed over ration kits for poor and needy. We are grateful to Snehal Shah and entire committee members for their whole heartedly support during this pandemic time. This help of jain sangh will go long way to those people who are deprived of meal”.
Consulting Editor : Mewati SItaram
