2015: THE YEAR OF CHANGE A VISION FOR VIDARBHA NANDGAONPETH PENCH NATIONAL PARK VOL.4 ISSUE 12 DECEMBER 2015 ` 50 PAGES 52 GLOBAL MEMORIAL OF THE LEGEND Minister for Revenue, Eknath Khadse with his wife and Warkari couple, Damodar Ratan Somase and Laxmibai Damodar Somase offer prayers at the official puja of Lord Vitthal–Rukmini in Pandharpur, Maharashtra SEEKING LORD’S BLESSING Minister for Revenue prays at Pandharpur for a drought-free, peaceful and prosperous Maharashtra inister for Revenue, Eknath MKhadse performed a puja of Lord Vitthal and Rukmani on the occasion of Kartik Ekadashi at Pandharpur recently. The senior Cabinet Minister prayed to Lord Vitthal to make Maharashtra free from drought and attain peace and prosperity. The 85-year-old Warkari from Jaduwadi, Malegaon taluka, Nashik, Damodar Ratan Somase and his 78- year-old wife Laxmibai Damodar Somase performed the official puja with the Cabinet Minister. Thousands of devotees gathered in the holy city of Pandharpur on the auspicious occasion. CONTENTS WHAT’S INSIDE 05 COVER STORY TRIBUTE TO THE SOCIAL CRUSADER Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to public the London house of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The memorial is a tribute to the principal architect of Constitution of India and the leader who stood for equal rights 09 12 14 18 PANCHTEERTH IN PERSON SWACHHTA ABHIYAN SPOTLIGHT WHERE HISTORY CHANDRASHEKHAR SUCCESS STORIES: A NEW VISION WAS MADE BAWANKULE SOLAPUR & NAGPUR FOR VIDARBHA The five important places related Minister for Energy, New and Solapur District Collector A multi-pronged strategy to to the life of Bharat Ratna Renewable Energy Resources in Tukaram Mundhe and Nagpur transform the region and bring in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar have an interview talks about the work District Collector Sachin Kurve socio-economic development been declared as Panchteerth. A done by his department towards share the achievements of the covers agriculture, industries, feature on the destinations State’s progress in past one year mission in their districts infrastructure and tourism 24 30 34 40 YEAR ENDER INDUSTRY FORT WANDERLUST MAHARASHTRA 2015 DRIVEN BY EXPLORING THE WHERE NATURE A report on key developments in MILL POWER UNEXPLORED BECKONS the State in past one year, from Government envisions Vidarbha is known for its If you wish to get enchanted by Chief Minister’s foreign visits to development of Vidarbha as historical land and hill forts. A nature’s beauty, the wildlife, open Jayukta Shivar Yojana, Make in India’s new textile hub; the visit to the forts to understand meadows and grasslands, Pench Maharashtra and Swachh textile park at Nandgaonpeth is their history, architecture National Park is where you need Maharashtra Abhiyan the first step towards the vision and the role they played to head this winter vacation DISCLAIMER: V IEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE MAGAZINE ARE THOSE OF WRITERS MAHARASHTRA AHEAD DECEMBER 2015 03 FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK VOL. 4 ISSUE 12 DECEMBER 2015 `50 PAGES 52 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar MANAGING EDITOR Chandrashekhar Oak ASSIGNMENT EDITOR Devendra Bhujbal A TRIBUTE EDITOR Kirti Pande TO THE EPITOME EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kriti Lalla he month of November witnessed the historic moment of dedication of TEAM CO-ORDINATION London house of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to public by EDITING Prime Minister Narendra Modi in presence of Chief Minister Devendra Suresh Wandile Fadnavis at London. The house, where the great legend spent years during his (Deputy Director) T studies in London was acquired by the State Government in August 2015. The ADMINISTRATION Government of Maharashtra will now develop this as an international memorial. It Digamber Palve will inspire students going for higher studies in London. (Sr. Assistant Director) SALES AND CIRCULATION In October, while performing the foundation-laying ceremony of the memorial of Ashwini Pujari Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at Indu Mills, Mumbai, the Prime Minister had announced (Sub-Editor) the five key places associated with the life of the social crusader and architect of the Constitution of India to be developed as Panchteerth. We include an exclusive MEDIA TRANSASIA article giving information of these places. ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jyoti Verma December is the month when State Assembly’s winter session takes place at Nagpur. ASSISTANT EDITOR The session is important from Pallavi Singh Vidarbha’s point of view. The issue DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR includes a special article on the various Sachin Jain decisions taken by the Government for development of the region. CHAIRMAN J.S. Uberoi The Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan is PRESIDENT becoming a huge success with the Xavier Collaco initiatives and awareness created by the State Government. Exemplary Maharashtra Ahead is printed work has been done by many local on behalf of the Directorate General bodies in the field. The issue has taken of Information and Public Relations, cognisance of excellent works done in Government of Maharashtra, Nagpur and Solapur under the at KALA JYOTHI PROCESS PVT. LTD. Abhiyan. Such good works stand to be Plot No.W-17 & W-18, MIDC, an inspiration for other districts. Taloja Industrial Area, Taloja-410 208, Navi Mumbai To observe the accomplishments of State Government’s one Letters should be addressed to year in office, the Directorate General Directorate General of Information of Information and Public Relations and Public Relations, New Administrative Building, took many initiatives. There were 17th Floor, Opposite Mantralaya, special issues of Lokrajya Marathi and Urdu, Maharashtra Ahead, a booklet on one Mumbai-400032. year of fulfilment of promises, booklets on all districts, tableaus and special Email: programmes on Dilkhulas and Jai Maharashtra. maharashtraahead.dgipr @gmail.com Please visit the website The award-giving ceremony of Best Journalism Award for the year 2014 was http://dgipr.maharashtra.gov.in a special occasion. At the function, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented Lokmanya Tilak Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned columnist Padma Shri Directorate General of Information Muzaffar Hussain. Seventeen journalists were felicitated. The Chief Minister and Public Relations announced a new award from next year for journalists, who would work for creating A Government of Maharashtra Production awareness for Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan. In other articles, we bring to you a jungle safari in Pench National Park, the rural folk theatre of Khadi Gammat and the amazing forts of Vidarbha. Enjoy the edition and let us know your feedback. Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar Editor-in-Chief, Maharashtra Ahead, DGIPR Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, Government of Maharashtra COVER STORY LONDON MEMORIAL he London House of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb TRIBUTE TO SOCIAL Ambedkar which will be transformed into an international memorial, was dedicated to people by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at London on TNovember 14. This was indeed a historic moment and a tribute CRUSADER by the Maharashtra Government to the epitome of unity and brotherhood. Speaking on the occasion, Maharashtra Chief The Prime Minister having dedicated Minister Devendra Fadnavis Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s London house as said the country will progress on the principles of social equality Chief memorial to the public is a fitting tribute and fraternity inscribed by Dr. Minister to the architect of Constitution of India who Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Devendra stood for social equality and fraternity Constitution of India. Fadnavis said The house where Dr. India will Babasaheb Ambedkar stayed progress on the while pursuing his studies at principles of social equality London was opened as memorial and fraternity to public in presence of Prime inscribed by Minister Narendra Modi and Dr. Babasaheb Chief Minister Devendra Ambedkar Fadnavis. Minister for Social Justice Rajkumar Badole, Member of Parliament Ramdas Athawale, Former Minister Sulekha Kumbhare and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. The moment the Prime Minister entered the historic house situated at King Henry Road, the atmosphere was filled with slogans of Jai Bheem. On the occasion, Prime Minister (From top) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid M.P. Ramdas Athawale pay tributes to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at London tributes to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Prime Minister was MAHARASHTRA AHEAD DECEMBER 2015 05 COVER STORY LONDON MEMORIAL F (Clockwise from top) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister, Social Justice, Rajkumar Badole with a replica of Ashok Stambh; Prime Minister and Chief Minister look at the rare pictures related to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Prime Minister signs the visitors book at the London memorial warmly welcomed by the Chief Minister on the occasion. The Economics, has been opened as memorial to public by Prime Prime Minister, while visiting the house got himself Minister Narendra Modi. The principles of social equality and acquainted with the rare pictures and things of historic fraternity given by Dr. Ambedkar through the Indian importance kept there. He not only minutely observed the Constitution proved its importance for the development of the objects, but also expressed his gratitude towards them. nation. I pay my humble tributes to the real son of Bharat Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the Mata (son of soil), Jai Bheem, Jai Bharat, Jai Maharashtra!’’ principles of social justice and equality of Dr. Babasaheb Earlier, during Prime Minister’s visit for the foundation Ambedkar will always inspire the world. On the occasion, laying ceremony of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s memorial at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis penning down his feelings Indu Mill in Mumbai, the Chief Minister had requested him to in the visitor’s book kept at the memorial, mentioned that “this visit the London house. Having accepted the invitation, the is a historic day, the house of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar where Prime Minister included the programme in his London tour. he stayed while pursuing education at London School of The historic moment was witnessed by the entire world.