Modi praises Fadnavis for spending Diwali with drought-hit farmers in Nagpur

New Delhi, Nov 8 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday commended Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for spending time with drought-hit farmers in Nagpur on Diwali, describing the gesture as "very touching".

     The prime minister said the chief minister's initiative underlines the spirit of compassion with which the NDA government in Maharashtra is working for the farmers and ensuring their well-being.

     "This gesture by Maharashtra CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis Ji, of spending Diwali with farmers in Lohari Sawanga village (Narkhed, Nagpur) and staying at the residence of Arunabai and Rambhau Balpande is very touching," Modi said commenting on a social media post of Fadnavis where he was seen spending time with farmers on Diwali.

     Fadnavis said wiping away the tears from farmers' eyes is the true Diwali for him.

     The chief minister said he had the good fortune to celebrate Diwali with fellow farmers in Lohari Sawanga village in Nagpur district, a place rich in the historical legacy of the Hemadpanthi Shiva temple and the natural beauty bestowed by the Kanhan river.

     "As I learned of the hardships, sorrows and worries about their families' futures faced by the farmers battling drought, my heart filled with emotion," he said in a post in Marathi.

     Fadnavis said he spent the night at the home of local farmers Arunabai Balpande and Rambhau Balpande.

     He said the Balpande family's warm welcome has truly touched his heart as there is something profoundly moving about their love, affection and warmth.

     "While Diwali is being celebrated with enthusiasm across the country, the state's farmers are worried. Their minds are burdened by crops scorched by nature's wrath, financial distress and concerns about their children's education," he said.

     The chief minister said for him, every farmer's crop in Maharashtra is not merely a product; it symbolises the hard work, sacrifices and dreams of their entire family over the course of a year.

     He said every crop carries the hope of a family's future, and every season carries the dream of prosperity and when uncertainty in nature destroys a crop, the farmer's future is also threatened.

     "Today, I experienced this pain firsthand. That is why my sincere effort is to go beyond meetings, decisions, schemes or financial assistance in the secretariat, to sit beside the farmers, understand their difficulties, wipe away their tears and offer a helping hand to help them get back on their feet," he said.

     Fadnavis said he also discussed with the farmers what measures could be taken to prevent damage to rabi crops.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)