States » WestPosted at: Oct 1 2026 5:34PM


Maha: Shinde appeals for simple celebrations, urges diversion of festival funds to drought-hit farmers

Mumbai, Oct 1 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde today appealed to people, Shiv Sena functionaries and social organisations to celebrate the upcoming Navratri and other religious and cultural festivals in a simple manner and divert the saved money towards helping drought-affected farmers.
In a post on X, Shinde said the state’s farmers were facing a difficult situation as inadequate rainfall had damaged crops in several areas. “The rain has betrayed us this year and nature has unleashed its fury, causing the standing crops to wither and droop at several places."
Shinde further said thousands of farmers were distressed as they struggled with the severe drought-like situation. Standing firmly by the farmers, whom he described as the providers of the nation’s food, was the moral and social responsibility of society, he said.
"I have always maintained that the first right over the state treasury belongs to our farmers," Shinde said, while expressing that the Mahayuti government and the Shiv Sena were firmly behind the farming community.
The government was providing all possible assistance, but society as a whole should also extend support to farmers in distress, he maintained.
Shinde said that in such a situation, celebrating upcoming religious and cultural festivals on a grand scale would not be appropriate for the members of society when farmers were facing financial and crop-related difficulties.
He appealed to Shiv Sena office-bearers, social organisations and citizens to organise Navratri and other forthcoming festivals, functions and cultural programmes on a modest scale.
He further urged organisers to contribute the funds 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,” Shinde hoped.
He added that if the money saved on this year’s celebrations could help wipe the tears of farmers and bring happiness to their faces, it would constitute the true service of Goddess Jagdamba. UNI SP SS
Tags: #Maha: Shinde appeals for simple celebrations# urges diversion of festival funds to drought-hit farmers
More News

Uddhav Thackeray consoles family of his murdered Thane Shiv Sena loyalist

01 Oct 2026 | 6:42 PM

Mumbai, Oct 1 (UNI) Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray reached the residence of his murdered loyalist Pradeep ‘Balu’ Purnekar in the Manpada area of Thane and spoke to his grieving family members on Thursday late afternoon. Purnekar was shot and stabbed to death in his office, on Tuesday night.

see more..

CJP declares nationwide revolt against Election Commission, demands CEC’s resignation

01 Oct 2026 | 6:38 PM

Mumbai, Oct 1 (UNI) In an escalation of political tensions that threatens to ignite a nationwide showdown, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has launched a scathing attack on the country's apex poll body, declaring that the Election Commission of India has devolved from an autonomous democratic pillar into "mere puppets of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.".

see more..

Maha: DRI Nagpur busts inter-state drug racket, seizes amphetamine worth Rs 1 05 crore

01 Oct 2026 | 6:21 PM

Nagpur, Oct 1 (UNI) The Regional Unit of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Nagpur, under the Mumbai Zonal Unit, has busted an inter-state narcotics trafficking network and seized 1.312 kg of amphetamine estimated to be worth around Rs 1.05 crore in the illegal market, officials said today.

see more..

Aadhaar mandatory for 63 types of property document registrations in Maharashtra from October 1

01 Oct 2026 | 5:58 PM

Mumbai, Oct 1 (UNI) Aadhaar identification will now be mandatory for registration of property-related documents in Maharashtra, with no document registration being permitted without a valid identity proof. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the decision has been implemented from October 1 to curb fraud in property transactions and prevent the use of fake parties and witnesses.

see more..

Pune residential market expands towards Vadgaon

01 Oct 2026 | 5:41 PM

Pune, Oct 1 (UNI) Pune’s residential market continued to remain active in the first half of 2026, with housing demand expanding across both established and emerging residential corridors, including the Sinhgad Road–Vadgaon belt.

see more..