Fadnavis lays foundation for Savitribai memorial and women’s training centre in Naigaon

Kolhapur: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday laid the foundation of the birthplace memorial of Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule at her birthplace, Naigaon, in the Khandala tehsil of Satara district. Saturday was the 195th birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule.The birthplace of India's first woman educator was found in 1993. Thereafter, the place awaited a grand memorial. Accordingly, Maharashtra govt approved a plan of Rs 143 crore to build a memorial with a skills training centre for women. Of Rs 143 crore, state govt approved Rs 110 crore. There is a demand for an additional two acres of land, which is currently in the possession of the tourism department and needs to be transferred to complete the memorial. Govt is also planning to develop a grand memorial of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule at his native place, Katgun, where a small memorial exists."There was a time when society witnessed disparity, casteism and irrationality, and there was improper treatment, especially of women. In such times, the Phules took up the task of educating women. They helped women get the right to education. We are following the same path. Therefore, we gave the name of Savitribai Phule to the scheme under which govt waived the college fees of girl students. Now we are making our sisters ‘Lakhpati Didi'; around 1 crore Lakhpati Didis will be made in one year," said Fadnavis.The programme was also attended by food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal. He said there is a need to speed up the slowed work of the Phulewada memorial in Pune, where the first school was started by the Phules. Bhujbal said the 200th birth anniversary of Mahatma Phule will be celebrated across the country on April 11, 2027.