Help on way to storm-hit Uttan fishing community in Bhayadar

Some items sent by Yuva Sena members to the affected families. Pic/Hanif Patel

A day after mid-day published a report about a midnight storm snatching the livelihood of many in the fishing community of Uttan in Bhayandar, the core committee of Shiv Sena's youth wing, Yuva Sena, has promised to extend all possible help to the aggrieved families.

A member of Yuva Sena Core Committee (YSCC), which is headed by the chief minister's son and Cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray, contacted mid-day hours after the report appeared in the newspaper, and took details of the families whose fishing boats were either destroyed or damaged on Saturday night. Jeevanshakti, a fishing boat belonging to Philomina Chinchak and her family, was completely wrecked in the storm, while two others--Prajakta and Ishwar Doot--sustained damages, and the owners estimated the cost of repairs in lakhs.

"After reading the story in mid-day, Aaditya Thackeray called me to extend all possible help to the Chinchak family. I spoke to the Chinchak family and other fishermen to assess their damage in the midnight storm. They were all crying," said YSCC member Rahull Kanal. "The Chinchak family said the livelihood of 10 of their workers was affected with the destruction of Jeevanshakti. So, we have sent them packets of dry ration, spices, cooking oil, sugar, tea powder, etc. In a bid to immediately give them support, our team members will give Rs 1 lakh in cash to the Chinchak family on Wednesday," Kanal said.

Kanal said they are also planning to give them a new boat so that their income does not take a hit. "Chinchak's son Sebastian told me that a new boat will cost around Rs 20 lakh, so we will start a crowdfunding for the family. Chinchak's personal bank account details will be given," Kanal said, adding, "We will request people to help us raise funds for the family."

He added, "Our team will visit the village in Uttan to meet the affected fishermen and to assess their damage and provide help." Kanal added that the visiting team will also see if they need anything else, like asbestos roof, bricks, cement, etc., in case their house were damaged, too. The YSCC has also spoken to the collector to expedite the files of all the fishermen whose boats were damaged. Chinchak's daughter-in-law Snehal told mid-day, "I received a call from Aaditya Thackeray's office and they assured us immediate help. I am thankful to mid-day for coming to us and publishing our ordeal."