Santosh Paithane, a Theatre Arts student from Mumbai University (MU), who hails from a small village near Beed had reason to be unbelievably happy on Sunday after his life in the city got easier and brighter. After reading about his and his family's travails in mid-day, senior citizen from Andheri, Prabha Iyer had come forward to help Paithane financially. On Sunday she invited him for lunch and gave him the promised R4,000 as allowance.

Paithane, whose family relies on their two-acre cotton farm, had been under severe financial stress in recent weeks. This year's unseasonal rains ruined this year's cotton crop and hit the family's income. Though his course and hostel fees are paid in advance, Paithane's family was unable to send him his R4000 allowance. mid-day in its November 9 report had highlighted the crises being faced by students studying in the city.