"Bring your wife along next year," Arunatai warmly urges the Chief Minister
Nagpur, November 2026: In an effort to boost the morale and confidence of farmers distressed by drought conditions, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis celebrated Diwali with a farming family and spent the night at their home. The following morning, he enjoyed a traditional breakfast of spicy tarri poha prepared by the family.
While bidding farewell to farmer Rambhau Balpande's family, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude, saying that he had spent a wonderful day with them and enjoyed a comfortable night's sleep. Following the traditional Bhau Beej ceremony, Arunatai, the farmer's wife, affectionately requested him to bring his wife along during his visit next year.
The Chief Minister had celebrated Diwali with farmers at Lohari Sawanga village in Narkhed taluka on November 7. He had dinner at the home of farmer Rambhau Balpande, interacted with farmers and spent the night with the family, sharing conversations and personal moments.
After waking up the next morning, Fadnavis enjoyed homemade tarri poha prepared by the women of the household. During an informal conversation with the family, he mentioned that he particularly liked poha and had it for breakfast at least four days a week.
As the night had turned chilly, the family had arranged a bonfire in the courtyard. The Chief Minister remarked that had he been informed earlier, he too would have enjoyed sitting around the bonfire, an experience he had not had for a long time.
Expressing her happiness over his visit, Arunatai told the Chief Minister affectionately that his presence had brought immense joy to the family. Treating him like her own brother, she requested him to bring his wife along the next year.
Fadnavis also spoke over the phone with Rameshwari Savarkar, a female relative of the family who lives in Mumbai. He told her that she could meet him whenever she faced any difficulty in Mumbai.
Narayani Celebrates Her First Diwali with the Chief Minister
Farmer Rambhau Balpande and his wife Arunatai welcomed the Chief Minister as a member of their own family.
Their sons, Pravin and Ajay, along with their daughters-in-law, Rani and Swati, personally prepared meals and served them to their distinguished guest.
The family's youngest member, seven-month-old Narayani, celebrated her very first Diwali in the company of the Chief Minister.
Her father, Pravin, expressed delight at the special occasion, saying that when Narayani grows up, the family will show her photographs of her first Diwali celebration with the Chief Minister.
Traditional Abhyanga Snan and Bhau Beej Celebrations
After waking up, the Chief Minister participated in the traditional Abhyanga Snan, a ceremonial oil bath observed during Diwali.
Arunatai performed the Bhau Beej rituals, while all the women in the household welcomed him with traditional aarti and aukshan (ceremonial blessings for long life and well-being).
The Chief Minister reciprocated the gesture by presenting a customary gift in the ceremonial Bhau Beej plate of his farmer sister.
Developed a Special Bond with the Balpande Family
Before leaving Lohari Sawanga, Fadnavis interacted with journalists and shared his experience of spending the night with the farming family.
He said he had developed a close bond with the Balpande family, who had extended wonderful hospitality.
Acknowledging that farmer Rambhau Balpande had also suffered due to drought conditions, the Chief Minister appreciated his resilience and determination to overcome adversity.
He expressed satisfaction that three members of the family who held separate agricultural loan accounts had benefited from the loan waiver scheme.
The Chief Minister also noted that the Balpande family regularly undertook pilgrimages to Pandharpur.
He observed that families devoted to Lord Vitthal never lose hope and draw strength from their faith to face difficult circumstances.
Chief Minister Assures 75-Year-Old Kamalabai of Assistance
While having breakfast, the Chief Minister also met 75-year-old Kamalabai Manerao, who approached him with concerns about her livelihood and family circumstances.
She explained that her advancing age had made it difficult for her to work and requested assistance with a proposal for goat rearing. She also sought financial assistance for her differently-abled son.
Fadnavis directed officials to initiate immediate action on her requests. He also instructed them to examine whether she could be provided financial assistance under the destitute persons' pension scheme.
The interaction reflected the Chief Minister's efforts to understand the concerns of rural families and extend government assistance to those in need.
