Journalism students plan street-play in Vidarbha for farmers

Mumbai, Jan 7 (UNI) In view of the widespread incidence of suicides by indebted farmers in the state, students of the Department of Journalism and Communication of Mumbai University will perform kirtans and a street-play in Wardha district (Vidarbha) to inculcate positive approach in their lives.

''The 23 students, who have planned a trip to Wardha district, will interact with the farmers discussing their problems and dissuade them from committing suicide,'' Professor Sunder Rajdeep, faculty of the department and tour co-ordinator, told UNI.

The trip has been organised from January 12 to 16 as part of the rural journalism in the course syllabus. The students will visit Waifad, Dorli, Sevagram and Pawnar in Wardha, he added.

''They will perform the street-play named 'Bai Kashala Havi?' that will inform the poor villagers about the various government schemes for women, while the kirtan performances will highlight the fundamental Constitutional Rights of every Indian,'' Head of the Department, Sanjay Ranade said.

Professor Ganesh Chandan Shive from the Department of Folk Arts of the University is training the students for the play, said Mr Rajdeep.

The students will visit Dr M S Swaminathan's Farmer Research Centre at Waifad and talk to the women-led organisations about their crusade against liquor in the district. They will also meet the farmers' union leader Vijay Javandhiya and well-known journalists Chandrakant Wankhede and Pramod Kalbande there.

Mr Ranade, other professors and Mr Rajdeep will himself accompany the students on the tour.

UNI