Thousands of farmers entered Mumbai on sunday after walking for 180 kms over 5 days to draw attention to their cause. The farmers are protesting for complete loan waivers and the implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee’s recommendations. They marched to reach Azad Maidan with the aim to be heard by the Maharashtra government on Monday morning.
The 50,000-strong farmer contingent – including women, men, and children – holding red flags is now referred as a "sea of red" for their banners, caps and strength from Nashik.
But during the long march, they faced the very real problem of their phones dying, with no way to charge them.
Enter 48-year-old protester from Ganeshgaon in Tryambak Taluka, Nathu Udar aka ‘Solar Kaka’, who attended with a solar panel installed on his head to charge farmers' phones free of cost. How thoughtful!
Udar said to News18:
I got this panel for my house but when we decided to come here, I thought I should install this on my head, so that I can charge the panels and use it to charge farmers’ phones. I have a wife, two children and three buffaloes. I want ownership of the four acres of forest land.‘Solar Kaka’
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in a media statement said that his government was sensitive to the demands of the farmers and tribals. "A ministerial committee has been formed to discuss the demands with protesters. We will take a decision to resolve their issues in a time-bound manner," he said.
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