Ministers celebrate Diwali with drought-hit farmers in Maharashtra; Pawar family skips festival

Several leaders in Maharashtra celebrated Diwali this year outside the walls of their homes, among farmers and villagers. Parts of the state are facing drought, and concern over it showed in the remarks of many leaders.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the home of farmer Rambhau Balpande in Lohari Sawanga, Nagpur. The Balpande family and women of the village welcomed him warmly and blessed him in the traditional way. The Chief Minister was moved by the warmth and thanked them for their hospitality.

Minister Pankaj Bhoyar said farmers had faced great hardship this year because of the lack of rain. According to him, the festival's joy remains incomplete if the face of Baliraja, the provider of food to the world, does not show happiness. In that spirit, he celebrated the festival of lights by understanding the farmers' problems, speaking to them from the heart and sharing moments of joy with their families.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule celebrated Diwali with his family at his home in Koradi, Nagpur. His wife Jyoti, son Sanket Bawankule, daughter-in-law Anushka, granddaughter Kavya and grandson Shivay were with him. He performed puja of Shri Mahalakshmi with full devotion and prayed that the people of the state get early relief from the drought and that happiness, prosperity and joy come into everyone's lives. He also extended Diwali greetings to all.

Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil visited the home of Bhivsen Shankar Bhavar and shared Diwali with his family. He ate pithla and bhakri lovingly prepared by the family. He spoke openly with villagers, learned of their difficulties and the village's problems, asked about farming and children's education, and gave the officials concerned the necessary instructions to resolve the problems of women and youth. He distributed sweets and firecrackers to children, gave clothes to the Bhavar family and a Diwali gift to the family's daughter. MLA Monika Rajale and officials of various departments were also present.

Industries Minister Uday Samant celebrated Diwali with villagers in Sayal village of Nanded district. There he met the family of Muktabai Keshav Dhumal. Muktabai's husband has died, and she has taken up the responsibility of raising five daughters with firm resolve. Two of the daughters are married, while three are still studying. Samant assured them that there would be no shortfall in their education and that lack of money would not stand in the way of their dreams.

MLA Rohit Pawar visited the home of farmer Bapurao Kodape in Ganeshpur in Kinwat tehsil of Nanded district and celebrated the festival with him. He also spoke to villagers. Local office-bearers and workers were present. According to Pawar, this is largely a tribal area, and people with a fighting spirit in their blood are now also battling drought. He assured them that he stands with them in this struggle.

At Nandanvan, the official residence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a Diwali get-together was organised by the Dr Shrikant Shinde Foundation and the Arogyadoot Foundation. Children who had undergone successful heart surgery and cochlear implant surgery came with their parents. The Deputy Chief Minister assured them that no child would have to go without necessary surgery for lack of money. One thousand pending surgeries, including cochlear implant and heart surgeries, will be completed soon. Responsibility has also been taken for the surgeries of 72 children in Srinagar, and there will be no shortfall in their treatment.

Minister Pankaja Munde wrote on her X account that it was the first day of Diwali. Vasu Baras (Govatsa Dwadashi) is a sacred Hindu festival, and Diwali actually begins on this day. In the morning she went to Gopinath Gad to seek her father's blessings and then worshipped cattle wealth from the heart.

The mood in the Pawar family was different this time. Because of a recent tragedy in the family, Sunetra Pawar and the Pawar family decided not to celebrate Diwali this year. Given the death of Bharti Pawar, a close relative of the family and Ajit Pawar's aunt, and the drought in parts of the state, it was decided not to hold any festival or celebration. This is the first Diwali without Ajit Pawar, and the family missed Dada greatly this time.