Maharashtra’s leading news channel, Zee 24 Taas, has launched a campaign titled ‘Fakt Ladh Mhana’to safeguard the education of children belonging to flood-affected farmers in Marathwada. The recent floods in the region not only devastated farmland and destroyed standing soybean and cotton crops but also left hundreds of farming families unable to support their children’s education. While government relief efforts have focused on land and crop losses, there has been no structured support to protect the academic future of these students.

According to a press release, Zee 24 Taas stepped in to bridge this critical gap with ‘Fakt Ladh Mhana’, a mission-driven initiative aimed at ensuring that children of distressed farmers do not have to abandon their studies. The campaign has identified more than 400 students whose education is in jeopardy and is bringing their stories directly into the public eye through news broadcasts. Each student’s bank account and digital payment details are shared live on air, enabling citizens to extend financial help directly and transparently.

Among the first cases 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 at S.P. College, Pune. With their families’ crops washed away in the floods, both were on the verge of dropping out due to their inability to pay rent, mess charges, and fees. Zee 24 Taas turned their plight into a public appeal, and the response was immediate. Within three hours of the broadcast, both students received close to Rs.50,000 each in contributions from viewers, securing their immediate academic future.

The channel has committed to sustaining the movement by showcasing at least two to three fresh student cases every day. Viewers have responded with overwhelming generosity, and the two students have even pledged that any funds they receive beyond their requirements will be directed to other students facing similar crises.

Speaking about the initiative, Kamlesh Sutar, Editor of 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; 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 of Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL), added, “At Zee Media, we believe our responsibility goes beyond reporting news. It extends to shaping solutions for society. Fakt Ladh Mhana 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 the focus on individual student journeys and encouraging continued public support, the campaign is transforming journalism into a force for social action. ‘Fakt Ladh Mhana’ is not just about documenting hardships but about mobilizing citizens across Maharashtra to ensure that the children of farmers, whose families have suffered devastating losses, are not deprived of their most vital tool—education.