Shinde urges simple Navratri celebrations, asks people to support drought-hit farmers

MUMBAI, Oct 1 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has appealed to citizens, Shiv Sena functionaries and social organisations to celebrate the upcoming Navratri and other religious and cultural festivals on a modest scale and divert the money saved towards helping drought-affected farmers.

In a post on X, Mr Shinde said inadequate rainfall had damaged crops in several parts of the state, leaving thousands of farmers distressed amid a severe drought-like situation.

“Rain has betrayed us this year and nature has unleashed its fury. Crops have withered and standing crops have bowed down at several places,” he said.

Describing farmers as the providers of the nation's food, Mr Shinde said standing firmly with them during the crisis was the moral and social responsibility of society.

“I have always maintained that the first right over the state treasury belongs to our farmers,” he said, adding that the Mahayuti government and Shiv Sena were firmly behind the farming community.

While the government was extending all possible assistance, society as a whole should also come forward to support farmers in distress, he said.

Mr Shinde said organising religious and cultural festivals on a grand scale would not be appropriate when farmers were facing financial difficulties and crop losses. He urged Shiv Sena office-bearers, social organisations and citizens to conduct Navratri celebrations, functions and cultural programmes on a simple scale.

He further appealed to organisers to donate the money saved from such celebrations towards the assistance and rehabilitation of drought-hit farmers.

“If we all stand firmly with our food providers during this crisis, we can certainly overcome this natural calamity,” Mr Shinde said.

He added that if the money saved on this year's celebrations could help wipe away the tears of farmers and bring happiness to their lives, it would amount to true service to Goddess Jagdamba.