Progressive groups meet in Chandrapur on Mahatma Phule's birth anniversary
Activists from progressive and social organisations met in Chandrapur to mark Mahatma Jyotirao Phule's 200th birth anniversary and plan a year of programmes.
On the occasion of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule's 200th birth anniversary, an important meeting of activists from various progressive, social and reformist organisations in Chandrapur district was held on September 15 at the Guest House, Chandrapur. The meeting was chaired by Hirachand Borkute, president of Satyashodhak Samaj, Chandrapur district, while Sanjay Maurya, coordinator of the Mahatma Phule Bicentenary Celebration Committee, attended as the chief guest.
The meeting discussed spreading Mahatma Jyotirao Phule's ideas, social equality, education, scientific thinking, gender equality and ending caste discrimination, along with creating wide awareness on issues concerning the deprived sections of society. Activists expressed regret that, on the occasion of the 200th birth anniversary of the father of the nation Mahatma Phule, no programme was being organised by the government at either the central or state level. Ways to build pressure on the government over this were discussed.
It was also decided how all the progressive organisations would together mark this bicentenary year through awareness and reformist programmes. The meeting also deliberated on organising various social and awareness programmes across Chandrapur district through the year. The activists present proposed that different progressive organisations run the programmes jointly.
Arun Pawar, president of the Mahatma Phule Shikshan Sanstha, along with Nanabhau Lokhande, Gulabrao Chichate and Rajendra Patil arrived from Nagpur for the meeting, while Vilas Bhau Kale of an OBC organisation and Dr. Dhawale also attended from Yavatmal. The proceedings were conducted by Dr. Rakesh Gavature.
A large number of activists were present, including from Chandrapur's Satyashodhak Samaj advocate Prashant Sonule, Arun Dhanorkar and Avinash Ambekar; Narendra from the Social Education Movement; Mahadev Dhumane, Deepak Jeurkar and Dilip Chaudhary from Maratha Seva Sangh; Dr. Vivek Bambode from the Bahujan Medical Association; Dr. Sanjay Ghate from Samata Parishad; Bandubhau Nagrale from Bahujan Hitkarini Sabha; and advocate Niranjane and advocate Poonamchand Wakde from the Babasaheb Association.
