Need to Highlight the Distinctiveness of Indian Culture and Languages Before the World: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Educating and Empowering Girls Is the True Foundation of Nation-Building

Mumbai, July 2026: Indian culture is one of the oldest and most inclusive cultures in the world, and there is a need today to prominently showcase the distinctiveness of Indian languages and cultural traditions before the world, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday.

He said Indian culture has always advocated a civilised, cultured and egalitarian social order. It has also upheld the tradition of establishing schools and opening the doors of knowledge to all sections of society, particularly ensuring that girls receive opportunities for education.

Fadnavis was speaking at a financial empowerment programme for girls organised at SPRJ Kanyashala in Ghatkopar under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana. MLA Prasad Lad, MLA Ram Kadam, Gaurav Bhandari, educationists, representatives of banks, students, parents and other prominent personalities were present at the event.

The Chief Minister said thousands and lakhs of girls have received education from such institutions over the past century and are today making significant contributions in different fields. He noted that without such socially inspiring initiatives, many girls would have remained deprived of education.

He also described the recitation of value-based hymns by the girls as a reflection of the rich and enduring traditions of Indian culture.

Indian and Western thought have different approaches

Highlighting what he described as fundamental differences between Indian and Western thought, Fadnavis said Western ideology places greater emphasis on competition and power, whereas Indian culture recognises every individual’s equal right to live and progress.

According to him, the true identity of Indian culture lies in capable sections of society creating opportunities and support systems for those who are weaker and more vulnerable.

Nations that empower women achieve greater progress

Fadnavis said Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a national movement-like thrust to women’s education and empowerment in 2014 through the message of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’.

He observed that countries that have provided women with education, skills and equal opportunities have reached the highest levels of development. India’s own history, he said, demonstrates that the country prospered during periods when women were respected and given opportunities.

In line with this approach, the Central government has introduced several welfare schemes aimed at the overall development of girls. The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is among the important initiatives, providing financial support for girls’ education and future economic security.

Under the initiative launched at the event, Rs 20,000 each was deposited into the accounts of 1,000 girls. The same amount will be deposited every year for the next 10 years.

Empowering girls is a social responsibility

The Chief Minister recalled a period when girls were wrongly viewed as a burden, contributing to serious social evils such as female foeticide. He stressed that protecting, educating and economically empowering girls is not merely the responsibility of the government but a collective responsibility of society.

He urged young men and women who have become self-reliant through education to extend support to needy and deprived sections of society. He said true greatness lies in the willingness to give, adding that people leave behind their good deeds rather than their wealth.

Fadnavis emphasised that empowering girls through education, financial inclusion and sustained support is the need of the hour. Such initiatives, he said, strengthen the government’s efforts to ensure that every girl has a financially secure and inclusive future.

The Chief Minister also praised Gaurav Bhandari for his social commitment, describing the initiative as an example of how a determined individual can bring about meaningful and positive change in society. He congratulated Bhandari for working towards the long-term financial security of underprivileged girls and wished him continued success in his social efforts.

Girls registered under financial security schemes

As part of the trust’s initiative, girls below the age of 10 were registered under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, while girls above 10 years were enrolled under the NPS Vatsalya Yojana.

A sum of Rs 20,000 each was deposited into 1,000 accounts, with the same amount to be deposited annually for the next 10 years.

During the programme, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented cheques symbolically to students and their mothers under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, marking another step towards promoting the financial security, education and empowerment of girls.