INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS INTERVIEW: SURESH PRABHU SAKRI SOLAR PROJECT MAHALAXMI SARAS VOL.4 ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2015 ` 50 PAGES 52 Global Business Destination WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM 2015 OPENS UP OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAHARASHTRA’S COLLABORATION WITH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE HOUSES Maharashtra’s tableau depicting Pandharpur pilgrimage won the award of best tableau in the Republic Day Parade at New Delhi PANDHARICHI WARI ON RAJPATH School children of South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur, present lezim dance of Maharashtra THE STATE DISPLAYED A REPLICA OF THE FAMOUS PANDHARPUR TEMPLE. THE PALKHI AND TULSI VRINDAVAN WERE ALSO PART OF IT. THE REPLICA WAS AS HIGH AS 48 FEET aharashtra’s pilgrimage was popularised The float was ranked artistes that worked for the centuries-old tradition by Sant Dnyneshwar and number one at the Republic State tableau for bagging the Mof Pandharichi Wari Sant Tukaram. Day parade. Another attraction first prize and presenting the was depicted at the Republic The Wari consists from the State, a lezim heritage pilgrimage in such an Day parade in New Delhi this of thousands of pilgrims, performance by school attractive manner. year. The annual pilgrimage, walking relentlessly for 20-21 children of South Central Zone U.S. President Barack where devotees walk more days, braving all sorts of Cultural Centre, Nagpur Obama was the special guest than 200 km to the holy town weather conditions, as this is received consolation prize in at the 66th Republic Day of Pandharpur, in Solapur the peak period of monsoon, the competitive category of function. A total of 25 tableaux district, for the blessings chanting ‘Viththala, Viththala’ school children items. Lezim is featured in the parade. Last of Lord Vitthal and all the while. The pilgrims a folk dance of Maharashtra year, the State displayed Narali Rukmini, the Wari also pays who make this journey done with jingling cymbals. Purnima, a major festival tribute to the State’s rich each year unfailingly are Chief Minster Devendra celebrated by the fishermen of heritage of saints. The called Varkaris. Fadnavis congratulated all the Maharashtra. CONTENTS WHAT’S INSIDE 05 COVER STORY MAHARASHTRA AT DAVOS Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s participation in World Economic Forum 2015, held in Davos, Switzerland, has opened up opportunities for State’s collaboration with international corporate houses. The Chief Minister, in an exclusive interview, talks about the tour, its objective and what all it achieved 14 20 26 32 IN PERSON FACE-TO-FACE EMPOWERMENT NUMBER ONE SURESH PRABHU VINOD TAWDE THE POWER A SPARKLING The Union Minister for An interview with Minister, OF THRIFT BUSINESS Railways in an interview with School Education, Sports and Women self-help groups India, a budding wine market, Maharashtra Ahead shares his Youth Welfare, Higher & are playing a pivotal role has Nashik to thank for the status. Ministry’s key initiatives Technical Education, Medical in creating a new rural economy. The district is home to some towards making railway safe, Education, Marathi Bhasha Mahalaxmi Saras is a platform 38 wineries of Maharashtra’s international and profitable and Cultural Affairs where the fact is showcased 72 odd wineries 34 36 42 44 WANDERLUST CULTURE CURRY EVENT OF THE YEAR DIASPORA GRAND RENAISSANCE A POEM ON METAL WINGS OF SCIENCE MAHARASHTRA The rock-cut caves of Ajanta not Bidri travelled to India centuries The 102nd edition of Indian CALLING just present a generous view of ago and flourished during the Science Congress, held in The 2015 edition of Pravasi Buddha’s life, but are also era of Bahmani Sultans. Today, Mumbai, made many look Bhartiya Divas was a platform world’s greatest chronological India is the only nation that at past and future and where Indian States rolled out monument of paintings of has the art with Aurangabad people and development with red carpets to fellow Indians religious art being a prime centre a new perspective abroad to come and invest DISCLAIMER: V IEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE MAGAZINE ARE THOSE OF WRITERS MAHARASHTRA AHEAD FEBRUARY 2015 03 E FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK VOL. 4 ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2015 `50 PAGES 52 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar MANAGING EDITOR Chandrashekhar Oak ASSIGNMENT EDITOR A VALUE CHAIN Suresh Wandile EDITOR THAT BENEFITS FARMERS Kirti Pande EXECUTIVE EDITOR t the outset, I would like to thank the readers of Maharashtra Ahead, Kriti Lalla who have appreciated the re-launched magazine. The letters, ADMINISTRATION Digamber Palve both snail mails and e-mails, with feedback and suggestions, have (Sr. Assistant Director) Anot only boosted our confidence, but also underlined the people SALES AND CIRCULATION connect of this periodical. Vilas Bodke (Assistant Director) January was a busy month for Maharashtra. It was when the State hosted the annual Indian Science Congress, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi MEDIA TRANSASIA in Mumbai. The action soon shifted to World Economic Forum in Davos, where ASSOCIATE EDITOR Maharashtra showed its determination to become a global financial destination. Jyoti Verma The unique aspect of State’s presence at Davos was much more than networking ASSISTANT EDITOR with business leaders. The idea was how the State could utilise the global Nikunj Sharma platform to benefit millions of unorganised farmers, DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR particularly those in drought-affected Vidarbha. A result Sachin Jain The State of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s visit was CHAIRMAN utilised the Government’s plan to set up a value chain between the J.S. Uberoi World Economic State and private companies to benefit the farmers. PRESIDENT Forum to Around 25 lakh farmers will be accommodated in this Xavier Collaco build a value chain that will chain, where the company will directly buy grains from Maharashtra Ahead is printed benefit farmers, the farmer. The farmers will cultivate crops as per the on behalf of the Directorate General particularly demands of a specific company and the product will be of Information and Public Relations, directly sold to the company. Government of Maharashtra, those in drought-affected at LAST MILE (Sonigraphics Group The month was also when India celebrated its 66th Company), 417, Bussa Udyog Bhavan, Vidarbha T.J. Road, Sewri West, Republic Day. The national event had U.S. President Mumbai 400015 Barack Obama as chief guest. The occasion was special for the State too, as its tableau was judged best among the State themes Letters should be addressed to Directorate General of Information displayed on Rajpath. Maharashtra’s theme got a standing ovation by and Public Relations, dignitaries and was lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Defence New Administrative Building, Ministry later awarded the tableau in a function in New Delhi. Back home, the 17th Floor, Opposite Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032. State Government celebrated the day by launching Aaple Sarkar, an interactive Email: portal that helps citizens to share ideas, offer suggestions and post grievances on maharashtraahead.dgipr @gmail.com various Government initiatives. Please visit the website http://dgipr.maharashtra.gov.in An international product this time, the issue also has a column on the Pravasi Directorate General of Information Bhartiya Divas held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The other sections cover the and Public Relations magnificent caves of Ajanta, Bidriware of Aurangabad, and Nashik as India’s A Government of Maharashtra Production proud wine-producing belt. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions. Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar Editor-in-Chief, Maharashtra Ahead, DGIPR Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, Government of Maharashtra COVER STORY WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM Maharashtra at DAVOS Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s participation in World Economic Forum (WEF) 2015, held in Davos, Switzerland, has opened up opportunities for State’s collaboration with international corporate houses. The Chief Minister, in an exclusive interview with Rohit Chandavarkar, talks about the tour, its objective and what all it achieved. Excerpts: (From left) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with Schindler EB member Jürgen Tinggren, Volkswagen’s Dr Leif Östlin and Managing Director, JP Morgan, Daniel Pinto Q. The World Economic Forum Summit is We have told interest in coming to the State. an event watched by corporate, business the investors, leaders and Governments carefully. What you just come Q. The business world is a bit to Maharashtra, was the target of your visit and how did the whatever you sceptical about Indian bureaucracy’s sessions go? want—land, water hurdles, like the license and permit A. I can specifically say that the target was to supply, power—it regime, which still has not changed have networking with international business will be provided. We much? leaders and investors, and to speak with them want to encourage A. We have done a lot to change that about the new “Make In India” initiative and the manufacturing perception. Most clearances required for in a big way” “Make In Maharashtra” drive that we want to setting up new projects have been embark on. The target was achieved, as we were simplified. We are talking about single- able to convince a lot of businessmen that India, window clearances, which have impressed the investors, and I see a positive and Maharashtra, has much more to offer than reaction from them. We have told them, you just come to Maharashtra, just the ‘feel good factor’. Most of the business whatever you want—land, water supply, power or anything else—it will be leaders at the Forum looked convinced and showed provided. We want to encourage manufacturing in a big way. MAHARASHTRA AHEAD FEBRUARY 2015 05 COVER STORY WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (Clockwise from top) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis meets Safran Chief Jean-Pierre Cojan, Cognizant Technology President Gordon Coburn and Anthony Pratt, Chairman, Visy Q. What is the uniqueness of your visit this We want to partnership for integrated development S time vis-à-vis visits by earlier heads of leverage India of agri culture, and on leveraging India Business Maharashtra Government? Council to assist our Business Council to assist farmers of A.