Special Contribution of Maharashtra to the Dream of a Developed India – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Flag Hoisting Ceremony on the 79th Independence Day at Mantralaya

Mumbai, Aug 2025 : Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has been progressing consistently. In just one decade, India has advanced from being the 11th largest economy in the world to the fourth largest. Today, Maharashtra is moving ahead rapidly within India’s overall development framework. The state is making a special contribution to the dream of a developed India. This development story of the nation will not stop here. The Prime Minister has given the call for an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), which is extremely significant. To make India self-reliant, we must all work together, stated Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

On the occasion of the 79th Independence Day of the country, the main state-level flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Mantralaya under the auspices of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Present on the occasion were Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Alok Aradhe, Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar, Mrs. Amruta Fadnavis, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, Chairman of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission Rajnish Sheth, Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) O.P. Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary (Protocol) Manisha Mhaiskar, Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai Bhushan Gagrani, Principal Secretary to the CM Ashwini Bhide, along with Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Secretaries of various departments, senior officials from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, senior police officers, freedom fighters, and officials and employees from other departments.

The Chief Minister said that through Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army has shown the world the true strength of India. In this operation, the army systematically destroyed all terrorist bases, thwarting attacks on the nation. The operation also demonstrated to the world the capabilities of the “New India.” The Chief Minister extended congratulations and gratitude to all the officers and soldiers who participated in Operation Sindoor.

He stated that India’s development journey cannot be stopped. The country is making progress in various sectors, including space exploration. To make India self-reliant, we must produce high-quality goods and systems within the country. Startups and technology sectors must be equally strong within India, and the country is moving in that direction. The Prime Minister has also called for the use of Swadeshi (indigenous) products wherever possible, to strengthen Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Maharashtra has received 40% of the total Foreign Direct Investment coming into India, leading to substantial employment generation in the state. Maharashtra ranks first in manufacturing, imports-exports, and startups. The state is making significant efforts to improve education and develop human resources, ensuring skilled manpower will contribute to the nation’s overall development.

Agriculture and Energy Advancements
The state has decided to provide free electricity to farmers and ensure they receive 12 hours of daytime electricity. Under the Chief Minister’s Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme, Maharashtra is implementing the world’s largest distributed solar project, set to be completed by December 2026. This will make Maharashtra the first state to supply 100% green electricity to farmers for 12 hours during the day.

Large-scale work is also underway in the irrigation sector, especially through river-linking projects like the Wainganga-Nalganga scheme and bringing surplus water from the sea into the Godavari basin to make North Maharashtra and Marathwada drought-free. These projects will also divert water into the Tapi basin, creating abundant reserves for agriculture, industry, and drinking water.

The state is also using artificial intelligence in agriculture to identify optimal crop areas and protect farming from climate change. Through smart schemes and various market intervention programs, the government is working to provide better facilities for farmers.

Gadchiroli – The New Steel Hub
Due to the efforts of security forces and police, law and order have been established in Maharashtra. Gadchiroli has been nearly freed from Naxal and Maoist influence. The region is now emerging as the country’s new steel hub, with the largest steel capacity in India expected to be developed here over the next decade.

Leader in Infrastructure
Maharashtra is undertaking various infrastructure projects, including roads, airports, and the expansion of the Vadhavan Port, which ranks among the world’s top ten ports. This will position Maharashtra and India as a new maritime power. Simultaneously, work is underway to build and modernize airports in Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, Gadchiroli, Amravati, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Projects like the Samruddhi Expressway and Shaktipeeth Expressway are expanding the state’s highway network. The state has also decided to build concrete roads in every village with a population of at least 1,000.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that Maharashtra will be the biggest contributor to India’s growth story, and called for collective efforts in this mission. He affirmed that Maharashtra will continue to follow the path shown by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the saints, and in accordance with the Constitution framed by Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

After the flag hoisting, the Chief Minister greeted the attendees and paid respects to the statues of Rajmata Jijau, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, and Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Mantralaya premises. On this occasion, renowned Sanai (traditional wind instrument) artist Kiran Shinde, along with co-artists Arun Shinde and Vivek Shinde, performed Sanai-Chaughada music.