28 March,2020 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Anurag Kamble
Farooq Sheikh distributed foodgrains to the tribal village in Neral on Friday evening
A BMC employee from the Solid Waste Management ( SWM) department has joined hands with an NGO to help tribals in Neral with food packets. The tribals are daily wage workers and flower- sellers. Each food packet will help a family survive for 15 days.
Farooq Sheikh has been working in the BMC's G North ward for the past 29 years. At his second home in Neral, he noticed that the tribal pada ( village) fears hunger amid the nation- wide lockdown.
" The main source of income for these tribals is sale of tuberose, flowers and different leaves. The men are either daily wage workers or auto drivers. Many of the households run on an income of R 150 to R 300 per day, if work is well," said Sheikh.
ALSO READ
Mumbai lakes providing drinking water reach 98.02 per cent capacity
Mumbai weather update: IMD forecasts moderate rainfall for the city
Maharashtra CM Shinde participates in Ganesh idol immersion programme in Thane
Ganesh Visarjan 2024: 62,569 Lord Ganesha idols immersed till 12 am, says BMC
Mumbai lakes supplying drinking water at 98.15 per cent capacity
He contacted many NGOs and Hyderabad- based Donatekart and Goodwill Rashmi Foundation came forward.
"There are around 1,000 families at Bhadwal, Damat, Mamdapur in Neral. I am targetting those that have trouble getting food. Food packets will be distributed on Friday evening," he said.
The packets include rice, daal, oil, sugar, salt and basic spices. "Currently, even salaried class is facing troubles. Everyone should feed at least one family; we should fight this pandemic together," Sheikh said.
Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates