India, Nov. 1 -- President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday expressed concern over drought conditions in parts of the country, including Maharashtra, as she attended the official commencement of the 21-month-long Simhastha Kumbh Mela at Ramkund in Nashik and Kushavarta Tirth in Trimbakeshwar.

Addressing a gathering on the banks of the Godavari at Ramkund in the evening, Murmu said people across the world were facing hardships due to extreme climatic conditions.

Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, and several state ministers were present.

"In our country, people, especially the farmers' fraternity, are distressed following drought in some regions, inc...