Shinde urges simple Navratri celebrations amid drought, asks that savings go to farmers

Mumbai: Drought-like conditions persist in Maharashtra. In view of this, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has appealed that the coming Navratri festival and other religious and cultural events be celebrated with great simplicity. He said this is necessary to stand firmly with the annadata, the farmer who feeds the nation.

Shinde has asked Shiv Sena office-bearers, public mandals and ordinary citizens to give whatever money is saved from these festivities directly to help farmers hit by the drought.

This year the rains failed in Vidarbha, Marathwada and other parts of the state. Most areas are under the shadow of drought. Standing crops have withered, leaving thousands of farmers in distress.

Speaking on the situation, Shinde repeated his point that "the first claim on the state's treasury belongs to our Baliraja", as he called the farmer. He said that in such a crisis the Mahayuti government and the Shiv Sena party are standing with farmers with full strength. Arrangements for every kind of help are already under way at the government level, but in his view everyone in society too must come forward and contribute.

Shinde said it would not be right to celebrate the coming festivals with great pomp while farmers are in distress and worry. He therefore asked public mandals, all Shiv Sena office-bearers, social organisations and citizens to celebrate the festivals with complete simplicity. He said the money left over after forgoing heavy spending on the festivals should be given for direct help and rehabilitation of the drought-affected farmers.

Shinde expressed confidence that if the annadata is in trouble and everyone rushes to help, it will be easier to overcome this natural calamity. According to him, if by saving on festival expenses one farmer's tears can be wiped away and a smile brought to the face, that will be true service to Goddess Adishakti Jagdamba.