Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor, Priety Zinta among Bollywood celebs to come out in farmers support
Mumbai, Dec 7: Actors Sonam Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra are among the growing list of celebrities from Bollywood who have extended their support to farmers protesting against the Centre's new farm laws.
Farmers have called for a 'Bharat Bandh' on Tuesday, warning that they will intensify their agitation and block more roads leading to the national capital if the government did not accept their demands.
Celebrities such as Diljit Dosanjh, Harbhajan Mann, Jasbir Jassi, Reitesh Deshmukh, director Hansal Mehta and others have already declared their support to farmers.
In a tweet in reply to Dosanjh's message of unity from the protest site, Chopra said their concerns should be addressed "sooner than later".
"Our farmers are India's Food Soldiers. Their fears need to be allayed. Their hopes need to be met. As a thriving democracy, we must ensure that this crisis is resolved sooner than later," she tweeted.
Dosanjh, who took on actor Kangana Ranaut for her comments on elderly protesting farmers recently, later donated Rs one crore to the farmers' cause and even addressed a rally at the Singhu border on Saturday.
In his latest tweets, the actor has supported farmers' call for a 'Bharat Bandh' on Tuesday.
Actor Sonam Kapoor called farmers "founders of human civilisation".
"When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilsation," she wrote on Twitter.
Actor Priety Zinta said her heart goes to the protesting farmers, who she called the "soldiers of soil".
"My heart goes out 2the farmers & their families protesting in the cold in this pandemic.They are the soldiers of the soil that keep our country going.I sincerely hope the talks between the farmers & govt yield positive results soon & all is resolved. #Farmerprotests #Rabrakha," Zinta said.
Deshmukh, in a tweet, on Saturday, said, "If you eat today, thank a farmer. I stand in solidarity with every farmer in our country. #JaiKisan."
Actor Chitrangada Singh said it was important to keep farmers feeling protected.
"They feed us and work tirelessly with their sweat & blood. #respectfarmers."
Actor Richa Chadha, Taapsee Pannu, Swara Bhasker and Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub are among the celebrities who have been constantly tweeting on the issue.
But some of the biggest stars from the industry have remained silent on the issue, leading to criticism from within and outside.
Singer Gippy Grewal has criticised Bollywood for not speaking up for farmers.
"Dear Bollywood, every now and then your movies have been shot in Punjab & every time you have been welcomed with an open heart. But today when Punjab needs you the most, you didn't show up and speak a word. #Disappointed."
Thousands of farmers have gathered at Delhi's two borders to protest against the new farm laws, which many farmers say will pave way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporates.
My heart goes out 2the farmers & their families protesting in the cold in this pandemic.They are the soldiers of the soil that keep our country going.I sincerely hope the talks between the farmers & govt yield positive results soon & all is resolved. #Farmerprotests #Rabrakha ? pic.twitter.com/b7eW8p8N3P
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) December 6, 2020
"When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization." Daniel Webster ?? https://t.co/26mfnHGZki
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) December 6, 2020
If you eat today, thank a farmer.
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) December 5, 2020
I stand in solidarity with every farmer in our country. #JaiKisaan
Our farmers are India’s Food Soldiers. Their fears need to be allayed. Their hopes need to be met. As a thriving democracy, we must ensure that this crises is resolved sooner than later. https://t.co/PDOD0AIeFv
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) December 6, 2020
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Release of Rs 3454 cr as drought relief by centrral government, a victory to state: Eshwara Khandre
Bidar: Addressing the media, Forest, Biology, and Environment Minister Eshwara Khandre said that the allocation of Rs 3454 crore towards relief efforts, comes as a result of the state government's persistent efforts, including legal action in the Supreme Court.
Addressing the media, Khandre underscored the severity of the drought situation, citing the lack of rainfall that has plagued the region. He highlighted the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in September to address crop losses and water shortages.
Initially, the state had requested Rs 18,171 crore from the central government to mitigate the impact of the drought.
However, Khandre lamented the delays and perceived neglect from the central government, which he described as a "step-motherly attitude" towards the state's plight.
Following intervention from the Supreme Court, the central government had agreed to expedite the disbursement of funds to avoid further embarrassment.
Khandre further spoke on the need for the remaining funds to be immediately released in a fair and equitable manner to adequately address the ongoing challenges faced by the drought-affected regions.
