It rained the day after he died. For a farmer family in Yavatmal, it was too late, again

In Yavatmal's Ralegaon, a farmer family learned the hard way that even after their recent loss, the harsh realities of drought and crop failure continued. Nima Dnyaneshwar Malekar, 58, is still mourning the loss of her two sons, 28-year-old Nikhil, who died by suspected suicide in 2021, and 22-year-old Tapaveen, who also died by suicide in 2024.

Her husband, 65-year-old Dnyaneshwar, took his own life on July 22, 2024. The Malekars have faced recurring crop losses and inadequate rainfall, compounded by difficulties securing an electricity connection to operate a borewell. Yavatmal, along with large parts of Maharashtra, is currently facing a drought, with the state declaring it in 265 of its 358 tehsils.

Between January and June, Yavatmal witnessed 128 farmer suicides. Despite building a new home under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Nima now spends half her time helping care for her land, as she is now alone at her brother's home. Sarpanch Ravindra Choudhary, related to the family, notes that Nikhil had been trying for years to get an electricity connection for his borewell, but his application was denied.

Tapaveen, who had just completed his BA and was preparing for competitive exams, hanged himself after their recent losses. This year, the family sowed three times, but the crop dried up due to lack of rainfall. Nima, seeking financial assistance, has received a certificate and Rs 1,500 a month under the Niradhar Scheme, along with a Rs 20,000 cheque from the tehsildar under the Rashtriya Kutumb Labh Yojana. However, the Malekars still await the full benefits promised by the government.