Pune campaign distributes 36,000 notebooks to Maharashtra schools
The Navgrah Mitra Mandal initiative provides stationery to students in drought-prone regions to ease the financial burden on families.
The Navgrah Mitra Mandal in Kasba Peth, Pune, has collected 36,000 notebooks and over 20,000 pens to support students in underserved and drought-prone areas of Maharashtra. According to The Times of India, the 'Bappa Charni Ek Vahi Ek Pen Arpan' initiative encourages devotees to donate stationery instead of traditional offerings during Ganeshotsav.
Aniket Mundada, a member of the mandal, said that families facing drought must prioritise immediate needs like food and water, which often leaves education supplies behind. The campaign, which started with 24 notebooks in 2017, saw a significant increase in contributions this year through social media and news coverage.
As of October 28, educational materials had reached 12 schools in Vidarbha, two in Dhule, and two in Beed. Supplies were also delivered to Zilla Parishad schools in Shindkheda taluka and Shirur-Kasar taluka, as well as institutions in Chandrapur and Wardha linked to Anandwan, Somnath Prakalp, Maharogi Seva Samiti, and Lok Biradari Prakalp.
Mundada stated that the next stage of distribution will target Zilla Parishad schools in Latur, Beed, and Parbhani in Marathwada, alongside areas in Vidarbha, Dhule, and western Maharashtra. He noted that approximately 40 additional schools are slated to receive these supplies shortly.
The initiative received international support from 11 countries, including the US, UK, UAE, and Japan. Organisers are currently managing logistical challenges, including limited storage space for the high volume of donations received.