Shiv Sena dedicates Dussehra rally to drought-hit farmers, trucks with Diwali rations to leave
The party has asked workers from drought-hit areas to visit farmers' homes instead of coming to Mumbai for the rally at Goregaon's NESCO Centre.
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Because of the drought in the state, the Shiv Sena has dedicated this year's Dussehra rally to farmers in distress. The rally will be held at the NESCO Centre in Goregaon at 5 pm on Tuesday. The party has asked Shiv Sainiks and office-bearers from Mumbai and neighbouring districts to attend.
The party has appealed to Shiv Sainiks and office-bearers in drought-hit areas not to come to Mumbai but to go to farmers' homes instead. It has also said they should hang a "toran" of help at the farmer's door. Every year, Shiv Sainiks and office-bearers come to Mumbai in large numbers from every corner of the state for the Dussehra rally, but given this year's drought, the party's position is that they should help farmers.
Preparations for the rally at NESCO in Goregaon are in the final stage. Because of the drought, there will be no cultural programmes this year. Instead, the rally will begin directly with speeches by Shiv Sena leaders. The state is waiting to hear what Shiv Sena's senior leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will say at the rally.
The party has said the Shiv Sena stands firmly behind farmers troubled by the drought. It has resolved to give all possible help to help farm families recover from this difficult situation. In the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Shinde, trucks carrying Diwali rations for drought-hit farm families will be flagged off to various parts of the state at the rally. Deputy Chief Minister Shinde will also give Shiv Sainiks a statewide programme to help farmers.
Sewing machines are being distributed so that women in drought-hit farm families have a means of livelihood. The Shiv Sena will also help with the weddings of daughters of farmers in drought-hit areas.
The party had appealed for help for drought-hit farm families. Following this, local Shiv Sena corporators, office-bearers and many prominent people from various fields came forward. They handed over cheques for a relief fund for farmers to Deputy Chief Minister Shinde.
