Zee 24 Taas has launched a campaign titled ‘Fakt Ladh Mhana’ to help children of flood-affected farmers in Marathwada continue their education. The recent floods have damaged crops and farmland, affecting the ability of farming families to support their children’s studies. While government relief focuses on land and crop losses, there is no provision for education, and Zee 24 Taas has initiated this effort to address that need.
The floods have impacted areas across Marathwada, damaging soybean and cotton crops, and reducing income for affected families. For children studying in cities like Pune and Mumbai, this has created financial challenges for paying rent, mess charges, or college fees. Without support, some students may have to pause or discontinue their education.
Recognizing this challenge, Zee 24 Taas launched Fakt Ladh Mhana to rally public support. The initiative identifies more than 400 students whose education is at risk, documents their personal journeys, and shares their stories on prime-time news broadcasts. The campaign also shares each student’s bank account and Google Pay details live on air, enabling viewers to transfer financial aid directly. This system ensures that every rupee donated reaches the intended beneficiary quickly and effectively.
Among the first stories highlighted were those of Mahesh Pandhari Jadhav from Nanded, a third-year B.Sc. student, and Mahesh Rambhau Mate from Beed, a Computer Science student — both studying at S.P. College, Pune. With their families’ soybean and cotton crops destroyed in the floods, their hopes of continuing higher education were at risk. Zee 24 Taas brought their struggles to the forefront, transforming their stories into a call for public support.
Fakt Ladh Mhana is designed as a sustained movement, identifying affected students across Marathwada and committing to highlight at least two to three new cases every day. Within just three hours of the broadcast, both Mahesh Jadhav and Mahesh Mate received financial assistance of nearly ₹50,000 each from viewers. This response secured their immediate educational needs and demonstrated how collective support, amplified through media, can result in timely action.
The response from viewers has been immediate. Within hours of their stories being broadcast, both students received contributions sufficient to cover rent, mess charges, and educational fees for the coming months. Both students expressed gratitude to the donors and Zee 24 Taas for highlighting their situation. They pledged that if they receive funds beyond their needs, they will extend help to other students in Marathwada facing similar challenges.
Kamlesh Sutar, Editor, Zee 24 Taas said, “Education is the strongest weapon of empowerment, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that no child loses it because of natural calamities. Through Fakt Ladh Mhana, we are not just reporting the hardships of families; in fact, we are creating direct solutions. By connecting citizens straight to students with complete transparency, we are ensuring timely relief and long-term impact.”
Karan Abhishek Singh, CEO, ZMCL said, “At Zee Media Corporation Limited, we believe our responsibility goes beyond reporting news, in fact, it extends to shaping solutions for society. Fakt Ladh Mhana by Zee 24 Taas reflects this vision by turning journalism into a bridge of hope for students whose futures are at risk. This initiative exemplifies how media can mobilize communities for meaningful change.”
By keeping public attention active and ensuring continuous support, the campaign turns journalism into a channel for community action, not just reporting problems, but mobilizing real solutions. It is a call for citizens across Maharashtra to unite in protecting education, as safeguarding these students today contributes to a resilient tomorrow.
