“It Is Society’s Responsibility to Ensure Every Individual Lives with Dignity” – CM Devendra Fadnavis

Pune : “Western culture promotes the survival of the fittest, but Indian culture teaches that every person born has the right to live—and it is society’s responsibility to make that happen,” stated Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He emphasized that it is the collective duty of society to support and uplift every individual.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the Guinness World Record certification ceremony organized by the Bharat Vikas Parishad’s Divyang Rehabilitation Center in Pune and the Dhole Patil Education Society. The event, held at the Bhandarkar Institute on Law College Road, marked a world record for fitting the highest number of artificial limbs in a single day.

Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, MLA Siddharth Shirole, Rehabilitation Center Chairman Dattatraya Chitale, Dhole Patil Education Society President Sagar Dhole Patil, Center Trustee and Head Vinay Khatawkar, Secretary Rajendra Jog, and Savitribai Phule Pune University Advisory Council member Rajesh Pandey were present at the occasion.

CM Fadnavis lauded the meticulous planning and spirit of service shown by both organizations in setting a new global benchmark by fitting artificial limbs for persons with disabilities. “When service is the driving force behind work, records are not chased—they naturally follow. And this journey never stops,” he said, expressing confidence that the same organization could break its own record in the future. He also suggested renaming the center as Divyang Rehabilitation Center on the occasion of its silver jubilee.

Highlighting national progress, Fadnavis praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives for the differently-abled, particularly the establishment of Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO). “Earlier, we had to import advanced prosthetic parts, but now India manufactures high-quality, world-standard artificial limbs domestically,” he noted. He stressed the importance of making this technology accessible to people in rural areas through central government schemes aiming to reach the last person in society.

The Chief Minister further informed that efforts are underway to make government offices and websites more accessible for the differently-abled. He said that improving accessibility for Divyang individuals has also been included in the government’s 100-day action plan.

Dattatraya Chitale shared that the world record involved fitting 892 advanced prosthetic arms and legs in just 8 hours. He acknowledged the generous contributions of individuals and organizations that made the initiative possible and emphasized the values instilled through service.

On this occasion, Sagar Dhole Patil and Vinay Khatawkar also shared their thoughts.
Guinness World Records adjudicator Swapnil Dangrekar officially presented the certificate in the presence of CM Fadnavis. A documentary about the world record achievement was screened, and representatives from sponsoring institutions were felicitated.