Hyderabad philanthropist gifts Rs 1 lakh to elderly Maharashtra farmer seen tilling land with wife

Hyderabad philanthropist Arekapudi Raghu donated Rs 1 lakh to an elderly Maharashtra farmer who was seen tilling land with his wife due to lack of bullocks. The viral video drew attention to their plight, prompting Raghu’s 280-km journey to help.

Sangareddy: A Hyderabad-based philanthropist extended timely support to an elderly Maharashtra farmer, whose video of tilling land with a wooden plough alongside his wife went viral on social media on July 2.

The farmer, 75-year-old Ambadas Pawar from Hatoldi village in Latur district, was seen manually tilling his field without bullocks, aided by his 70-year-old wife Mukthabai. The video triggered an outpouring of concern online over the couple’s hardship.

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Moved by the couple’s plight, Arekapudi Raghu, founder of the Arekapudi Raghu Seva Trust and a resident of BHEL, Sangareddy, travelled over 280 km to visit the couple on July 3. He found them working in their field and presented a cheque of Rs.1 lakh to help them purchase a pair of bullocks.

Though Raghu initially offered to procure the bullocks himself, the local Sarpanch took responsibility for the purchase after receiving the donation. The couple, who cultivate soybean on two-and-a-half acres, have a son and daughter working as labourers in the village.

Speaking to Telangana Today, Raghu said he was deeply moved by Pawar’s determination to continue farming and lead a dignified life despite his age. “It gives immense satisfaction whenever I support a farmer,” he said.

Under the “Gift a Cattle” programme, Raghu, with support from the NGO Hope for Spandana, has so far donated bullocks and milch buffaloes to 20 farmers across Telangana.