As Maharashtra continues to struggle with drought, Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh which has been hit by three droughts in successive years, is staring at an acute famine with widespread crop loss, scarcity of drinking water and poor nutrition. This situation, however, is not new. Bundelkhand has struggled with extreme weather in the past few years. Drought, hailstorms, unseasonal rainfall and most recently an unusually warm winter have played havoc with crop yields, making farming unviable for many. Unemployment has soared, and locals are leaving the rural belt to work as unskilled labour in nearby urban areas. Financial assistance provided by the authorities has failed to achieve much on the ground, as it is far lower than farmers' losses.

"They are in debt but can't repay it and face harassment by lenders. So they are taking the extreme step of ending their lives," said Parihar, who fights for local farmers' rights.

Around 100 farmers from the village of Badgaon, have now resorted to begging

"I have two children and both of them are now working as labourers. I am too old to do anything, so I am begging to survive," said 80-year-old Moolchand from Badgaon.

"Farming is a curse in Bundelkhand," Moolchand said tearfully. "No one cares for us — we will die one day in the absence of any help from the government."