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
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