Thread by @CMOMaharashtra

CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’s address to the state today;

Wish you all a very Happy Diwali. May this festival bring a lot of joy and happiness in your lives.

This year, starting from Holi, we all celebrated festivities in a simple manner. The people of Maharashtra have shown support and cooperation over the last 6-8 months.

Having said this, the only possibility we are facing now is that of the second wave, which we need to avoid to our best possiblity, for which, I once again look forward to your cooperation.

Activities across Maharashtra have gradually resumed. Businesses & services are opening. I believe it is a sign of growth and vitality, but one needs to be careful in such scenarios, and avoid forming crowds, this is my request to everyone in the state.

Over the last few days, coronavirus cases in Mumbai, Pune and areas across Maharashtra have reduced and this has been possible with all your efforts. However, the number is rising elsewhere in the country, especially in Delhi.

I have been told that the increase in cases, in Delhi, is due to the pollution, which is why we need to avoid bursting crackers, this Diwali. While there is no need to ban crackers, I want people to believe that we can celebrate the festival, as always, without imposing the law.

We can celebrate Diwali without crackers as there is no vaccine yet and the virus continues to spread due to pollution. What we have achieved so far, with our hard work, should not be wasted in merely four days. Hence, I urge you not to bust crackers in public places.

Furthermore, though the COVID19 crisis is under control, the fortnight after Diwali would be crucial for the state. We all are aware of the second wave in the west, and we need to avoid the same here.

Over the last 6-8 months, state machinery, doctors, police, healthcare workers, and many others have been fighting COVID19 under extreme stress. We must remember that they are doing this for the betterment of our own people.

I wish to remind people about the Spanish flu which spread around 100 years ago. At that time, the flu claimed nearly one crore. But the population, 100 years ago was less. While I don’t want to scare you, I want to warn and make you aware of the COVID crisis.

A few days back, I saw a video of a soldier sharing information about the weight he carries on a daily basis while fighting for the nation. We must understand that they are fighting for us in extreme conditions. All we have to do is fight COVID by just wearing a mask.

Despite the limitations, the government is improving healthcare facilities across where the number of beds has increased from 7,500 to 4 lakhs.

The state carried out the My Family, My Responsibility campaign until Dussehra, whereby 60,000 teams across the state visited the citizens and identified new cases. As per reports, more than 3.5 lakh ILI and SARI patients were identified along with 51,000 COVID19 patients.

Through this campaign, we were able to save these patients by offering proper treatment and I thank every member of the ‘My family, my responsibility’ campaign for working tirelessly. Maharashtra will forever be indebted for the work they’ve conducted risking their own lives.

We are proud of the MoUs worth Rs 17,000 crore in June despite the conspiracies by Maharashtra haters to discredit Maharashtra during the Corona crisis.

Even last week, we signed a MoU worth Rs 35,000 crore. Many local and foreign companies are ready to invest in Maharashtra of which we are proud. This is the result of the image people of Maharashtra have carried out of the state.

The state has got a loan of 545 million euros from Germany's KFW for the Mumbai Metro project. This has been given at a very reasonable interest rate and will benefit the city.

Today we do not have any vaccine for COVID and so wear a mask, maintaining distance, and washing hands will only help us stay healthy. Many people in Mumbai and outside don't wear masks and this won’t be accepted. Action will be taken against those who don’t follow the norms.

Even if I am portrayed unfavourably, I assure you all that I shall forever stand for the people of Maharashtra and will do everything in my capacity for the betterment of the state and it’s people!

Everyone has been asking about the reopening of temples, let me assure you that we will open them soon. However, we will have to let Diwali and following 15 days pass by. It is our duty to take care of our elders & the decision has been taken keeping their health in mind.

Meanwhile, citizens in Mumbai have also been wondering about the local train services. Let me assure you that talks are underway with the Centre.

People have shown affection, love and their faith in me. Had it not been the same, we would have not achieved these results today. We have to bring down these numbers to zero and I am confident we will.

I only wish everyone stays happy and healthy. Remember to wear a mask, wash your hands constantly and keep distance from each other.

Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra!