States » WestPosted at: Oct 1 2026 5:32PM


Shinde appeals for simple Navaratri celebrations, urges that money saved be used to help drought-hit farmers

Mumbai, Oct 1 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has 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 money saved 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. Crops have withered and standing crops have bowed down at several places," he said.
Shinde 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, adding 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 said.
Shinde said that celebrating upcoming religious and cultural festivals on a grand scale would not be appropriate 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 said.
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 RN
Tags: #Shinde appeals for simple Navaratri celebrations# urges that money saved be used to help drought-hit farmers
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