Maharashtra celebrates it’s 62st birth anniversary on 1st May. In the life of state, 62 year is not too long a period but good enough to retrospect. A state that contributes still 14% of country’s GDP, 12% of power consumption, a development index, accounts for 18% of approved industrial investment in the country speaks volume about Maharashtra. But this is just an outer layer but internally, it has robust strengths, solid substance and intelligence par excellence.
Maharashtra state has always been known for liberal outlook, progressive policies and tolerant attitude. During my Banking days in Thane & Pune I interacted with good number of students for Education loans etc. I always impressed upon the students how Maharashtra is the right choice for them. My usual dialogue was, जब देश के अन्य भागों इस बात पर चर्चा चल रही थी की बेटियो ने पढ़ना चाहिये या नही उस समय पूना में बेटियां साईकल पर कॉलेज जाती थी। Mahatma Phule, Savitri Bai Phule brought women education in Pune. In Kolhapur, Shahu Maharaj introduced reservation in jobs for backward class in 1902 which later Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar brought for the entire nation. Raghunath Dhonde Karve, a Maths professor & social reformer, spoke of family planning, Sex-education in 1921. मनरेगा, स्वच्छ भारत, 33 % women reservation, RTI Act , Superstition acts etc all had it’s origin in Maharashtra in the form of रोजगार हमी योजना , संत गाडगेबाबा स्वच्छता अभियान and several other legislations.Development model through Cooperative movement is yet another milestone in the annals of Maharashtra.
Places are known for the kind of people borne there and their contribution to society/ nation that bring social, economical, educational, cultural and industrial revolution etc. From Namdev, Gnyaneshvar, Tukaram, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, Justice Ranade, V D Savarkar, Mahatama Phule, Shahu Maharaj, Bhimrao Ambedkar & so many who made Maharashtra spiritually, socially, rationally reformed state. Maharashtra people are known for their pride & principled stand, toughness, intolerances to injustice, modernist approach. History is full of such examples, which we can quote, like resignation from cabinet by FM Mr. C D Deshmukh and Law Minister Dr. Ambedkar over difference with PM on policy issues.
Dignity, decency, discretion, discipline are the hallmarks of Maharashtra state. Maharashtra has the distinction of providing leadership to the country in time of crisis in the past. Where is Maharashtra today ? Where are you coming from hardly matter when you don’t know where you are going. In typical, traditional rabbit & tortoise race story, Maharashtra has been a sleeping rabbit for long. It’s a Wakeup call for Maharashtra. On road, where there are too many first generation car owners, third generation car owner find it difficult to pass through.