Taking a significant step towards helping those affected by the calamity in Uttarakhand, an NGO today adopted a village near Kedarnath where 32 young women lost their husbands to the tragedy.
Though not yet declared dead by the state government, husbands of these women, who went missing after the June 16 disaster, are yet to surface, prompting Sulabh International to adopt Deoli Gram Sabha, consisting of six small hamlets, to help rebuild the lives of its 191 devastated residents.
Launching 'Sulabh Help Programme', Sulabh Sanitation Movement founder Bindheshwar Pathak said though it was a small step considering the size of the state, it may inspire other organisations and individuals to come forward and help the flood-ravaged people of the state.
A total of 191 people who reside in villages under Deoli Gram Sabha will benefit from the campaign under which women and elderly members of a family will receive Rs 2,000 per month from the organisation which will also give Rs 1,000 to each child of a family.
The organisation will also help orphaned children get admission in the schools of Dehradun, besides arranging for wedding of girls of marriageable age, Pathak said.
Young members of families in these villages will also be provided vocational training to help them back on their feet and lead a life of self-reliance.
