Madhur Bhandarkar is not unaware about the plight of farmers, especially in Maharashtra, who have been committing suicide over the years due to their inability to pay back loans. Touched by innumerous such instances which have been making headlines over the years, he has decided to do his bit for this cause. He would be donating Rs. 2.5 lakhs which he would receive along with his National Award as a Best Director for Traffic Signal this week. "Yes, what you have heard it right", confirms Madhur Bhandarkar who would be visiting New Delhi early this week to be felicitated by the President of India in the National Awards ceremony. "I am aware about the problems being faced by the farmers and the way they have suffered for all these years. I had always wished to do my own bit for this and since this is a noble cause, I decided to donate the prize money to three such families", says Madhur. The money would be distributed amongst three ladies namely Kamal Waghmare, Sangeeta Prakash Darne and Sugandha Kannake. Each of them has a sorrowful tale to tell. Kamal Waghmare is the wife of Late Kashinath Dagdu who committed suicide on 1st of March even after the loan waiver was announced in the general budget. He had a loan of Rs. 10000 and now his wife along with children live in acute poverty in Buldhana. Belonging to Yavatmal, Sangeeta Prakash Darne is the wife of Prakash Darne who committed suicide on 28th June last year. He had a loan of Rs. 56000 and has now left behind two daughters (one of them being visually impaired) and a son. Sugandha Kannake, again belonging to Yavatmal, is the wife of Shamrao Kannake who committed suicide on 17th Feb 2007. With a loan of Rs. 16200 on him, he committed suicide on the same day as his father. "These stories deeply touched me", says Madhur in a soft tone, "Farmers have suffered so much and what I am doing is just a small gesture from me. Though none of the three women are currently aware that they would be receiving this money, I would be personally going to Nagpur on 5th September to hand it over to them". ... read more »