Latest news with #Ahilyadevi
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Fadnavis draws parallels between Op Sindoor & first column raised by Ahilyabai Holkar
Nashik: At a gathering in Ahilyanagar's Chondi on Saturday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis drew a comparison between women's involvement in Operation Sindoor — India's response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists — and the pioneering women's military unit established during Ahilyabai Holkar's reign. During the commencement of Ahilyadevi Holkar's 300th birth anniversary celebrations, Fadnavis said: "Ahilyadevi was the first queen who raised the first column of women soldiers, taking the mantle of defending the Swarajya in their hands. Today, we can see how the women performed in Operation Sindoor at various levels." He added, "Just as Ahilyadevi, known for her military prowess and strategic leadership, started manufacturing weapons indigenously, our country has manufactured Brahmos, used by India to destroy the air bases in Pakistan during the operation." The chief minister shared an anecdote about Ahilyadevi's progressive stance on dowry, where she implemented a ban after encountering a father's difficulty in arranging for his daughter's marriage due to dowry demands. Fadnavis stressed on his govt's commitment to following Ahilyadevi's example of uplifting disadvantaged communities, stating, "Our govt is also committed to the development of the deprived and will ensure the upliftment of each and everybody." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Franco Da Rocha (consulte o preço) Alarmes Saiba Mais Undo He talked of Ahilyadevi's water conservation efforts through the construction of stepwells, which continue to serve local communities even today. The CM also said, "State govt has decided to construct such ponds and wells, as constructed by Ahilyadevi, in Chandwad, Trimbakeshwar, and many more locations as part of the Adishakti Abhiyan."
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
CM Devendra Fadnavis praises Ahilyabai Holkar, highlights 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and women empowerment
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], May 31 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, praised the contributions of Ahilyadevi Holkar, calling her a visionary reformer, and drew parallels between her leadership and modern India's progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chief Minister also praised India's progress in giving women leadership roles. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he said, 'During Operation Sindoor, we saw two women officers giving the briefing, and that was possible because our Prime Minister gave women the status and opportunity to lead from the front-whether in combat operations, warfare, or aviation. Even in those ancient times, Ahilyabai formed an entire battalion of women in her army, gave them training, and ensured security.' Speaking about India's spiritual heritage, Fadnavis said that foreign invaders attacked not only the country but also its culture. Fadnavis said, 'When foreign invaders attacked not just India but also its culture, they knew that India's unity came from its spiritual strength. That is why they tried to destroy it -- whether it was the Ram Temple, the Jyotirlingas, or various Shakti Peeths and inspirational sites. So during that time, Ahilyadevi (Holkar) took the initiative to restore these temples and places of inspiration. She was not limited to her kingdom in Maheshwar or Indore -- she worked everywhere. The unworthy Aurangzeb destroyed many temples during his time, to such an extent that worship had to be done in small, cramped spaces. Ahilyadevi renovated such temples and ghats that had been demolished by the Mughal rulers. The history we were taught makes it seem like the Mughals left and the British arrived, and nothing happened in between. But during that time, rulers like Ahilyadevi existed. Even though she was a queen, she was called 'Punyashlok' (blessed with virtue).' The chief minister will also attend Ahilyabai Holkar's 300th birth anniversary celebrations in Pune, Maharashtra, on Saturday (May 31). Ahilyabai is remembered for her people-centric policies and deep commitment to economic and socio-cultural issues, especially those that affected the lives of women. She encouraged the education of women and their participation in the social and religious life of the local community. She supported and encouraged women weavers to make Maheshwari sarees. Her contributions were wide-ranging, from infrastructure development (water bodies, roads, dharamshalas) to the reconstruction and revival of temples across the length and breadth of the land. The edifices she created have not only left an indelible mark on India's cultural and spiritual landscape but also stood the test of time. Also, while speaking on the alleged irregularities in Ladki Bahin Yojana, the chief minister said, 'When the Ladki Behna Yojana was launched, several people took advantage of it through false applications. But from the beginning, we have been continuously investigating. Those who have taken benefit of the scheme through wrongful means are being identified and removed from the scheme. This action is ongoing, and once it is complete, we will provide a full report.' Earlier this month, on May 4, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra government, claiming that the Ladki Bahin Yojana has been 'closed down' and accusing the ruling coalition of reneging on election promises. He said that while earlier promises included a payout of Rs 2,100, women are now getting only Rs 500. The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has consistently criticised the Mahayuti-led Maharashtra government over the scheme's implementation. Party leader Aaditya Thackeray called it a 'shameless policy' that undermines the very promises made during elections. The Ladki Behen Scheme aims to provide financial assistance to eligible women across the state. However, UBT leaders alleged that the government is deliberately trying to lower the number of beneficiaries, raising concerns about its commitment to women's welfare and fulfilling electoral promises. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
State honours Ahilyadevi Holkar, woos Dhangars
The BJP-led Mahayuti government is scrambling to make good on a decade-old promise to the Dhangar community, by announcing a series of initiatives dedicated to Ahilyadevi, the famous 18th century queen of the Holkar dynasty. State honours Ahilyadevi Holkar, woos Dhangars In what could seem like overdrive, the state has announced a new medical college bearing her name, conservation of a memorial commemorating the Maratha queen, a biographical movie, a clean-up of the ghats developed by Ahilyadevi, and a commemorative postage stamp in her honour. The state will also literally sing her praises by releasing a song celebrating her contributions. The decisions were announced by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, on the occasion of Ahilyadevi's 300th birth anniversary on Tuesday, at a ministerial council meeting held for the first time in Ahilyanagar, formerly Ahmednagar. Ahilyadevi was born into a Dhangar family in Chaundi, in Ahmednagar district, and married into the Holkar dynasty in Indore. A progressive queen known for her administrative prowess, she has remained an icon of the Dhangar community. The Dhangars are a pastoral, nomadic community, classified as a Nomadic Tribe, who enjoy 3.5% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions in Maharashtra. The community has been demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which would double their reservation quota in the state. They consider themselves 'Dhangads' and enjoy reservation under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category in many other states. The Dhangars, who comprise around 10% of Maharashtra's population, have a significant presence in six to seven Lok Sabha constituencies, such as Baramati, Parbhani, Dharashiv (Osmanabad), Ahilyanagar, Amravati, Solapur and Shirur. Given their significant numbers, the BJP decided to win them over as a potential votebank in 2014. It was then, as state BJP chief during Congress-NCP rule, that Devendra Fadnavis promised to re-classify the Dhangars as a Scheduled Tribe if the BJP was voted to power. But the party failed to keep its promise. A decade later, in October 2024, the previous Mahayuti government under Eknath Shinde resurrected Ahilyadevi as a state icon when they renamed Ahmednagar as 'Ahilyanagar'. Now, the BJP-led Mahayuti government under Devendra Fadnavis has made the Maratha queen a political priority once again. Topping the initiatives announced on Tuesday is a ₹ 681-crore plan for the conservation of the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar memorial in Ahilyanagar. 'We will restore and conserve her memorial at Chaundi and will build it like a national monument, an inspirational place and a pilgrimage site,' said Fadnavis. The government will also make a multilingual, biographical movie on the Maratha queen, which will be released globally in cinemas, on television and on OTT platforms. The Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation (MFSCDC) has been appointed as the executive agency for the project. 'It will be a commercial movie which will be made in several languages such as Marathi, Hindi among others,' said Fadnavis. Fadnavis also said the government would desilt and rejuvenate all the ghats, wells and water supply systems developed Ahilyadevi during her tenure as queen of the Holkar dynasty. 'A special ₹ 75-crore scheme will restore 34 historical water structures, including 19 wells, six ghats, and six kunds that were identified in a state-wide survey,' the chief minister said. A new medical college and hospital named after Ahilyadevi will be built in Ahilyanagar at an estimated cost of ₹ 485 crore. It will be a 430-bed hospital, while the medical college will have 100 seats. Fadnavis also declared the renaming of a scheme for Dhangar students to access English-medium residential schools as 'Raje Yashwantrao Holkar', and the renaming of a post-matric hostel scheme for Dhangar students as the 'Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Hostel Scheme'. Hostels will be developed in all regions of the state, each housing 200 students. A government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) for girls will also be opened in Ahilyanagar, Fadnavis said. Concluding the slew of announcements, the chief minister said a postage stamp would be released to honour the contributions of the Maratha queen, as would a song to spread awareness about her achievements.
