Struggle-Born Youth Should Become Society’s ‘Role Models’: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai, Dec 2025 : The decision to grant reservation to orphan children is the most satisfying decision of my life. Inspired by the principle of ‘equality of opportunity’ put forward by the architect of the Constitution, Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the state government took the decision to provide 1 per cent reservation for orphans. Because of this decision, 862 orphan boys and girls have become self-reliant and are working for society, a matter of pride. The beginning of the government’s anniversary has taken place with a beautiful programme, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

At the Varsha residence, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis interacted with orphan children who have joined government service by availing the benefit of reservation. Legislative Council Member Shrikant Bharati and beneficiary orphan boys and girls were present at the programme.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said that today it has also been one year since he took oath as Chief Minister. The beginning of this anniversary has happened with a very beautiful programme. A silent emotion speaks a lot — a similar feeling is in my heart today. The government takes many decisions and does many works, but some decisions deeply move the heart. The decision to give reservation to orphan children is one such decision.

The architect of the Constitution, Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, included the principle of ‘equality of opportunity’ in our Constitution. But this equality should not remain limited only to social reservation. Orphans, divyangs (persons with disabilities) and other deprived sections should also get opportunities. With this thought, the decision of 1 per cent orphan reservation was taken. Because of this decision, a real change has taken place in many lives, the Chief Minister also said.

Youth Who Have Come Forward Through Struggle Should Become ‘Role Models’ of Society

Whatever we achieve becomes possible because of the system created by society. Schools, institutions, government systems, industries — all these are the result of collective efforts of society. Therefore, giving something back to this society is everyone’s duty. The Chief Minister expressed his expectation that these youths who have come forward through struggle should become ‘role models’ in society. Do not stop where you have reached. The success gained through struggle should become an inspiration to work continuously for society ahead. Even after achieving stability, the feeling of giving something for society should always remain in the heart, he said.

A person’s work alone gives him immortality. Through work alone a person lives on. Therefore, make your work your identity, he said, and at the end of the programme honoured all the orphan youths present and gave best wishes for their future journey.

At this programme, a youth named Vinayak Vishwakarma expressed gratitude towards the Chief Minister by presenting a deeply emotional poem:

“Today sir, I have not come to take anything, I have come to give something,
You gave reservation, I came out of poverty,
You are the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, but we will call you ‘Deva Bhau’.”

These lines created an emotional atmosphere. Praising the youth, Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the gratitude reflected through this poem is the real certificate of this decision. If the feeling of giving for society develops in everyone, that itself is real change.

The youths present in this interaction also shared their experiences and expressed thanks to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the government. They said that due to this reservation, they have got opportunities for education, employment and living with dignity. Today, we have become an inspiration for other orphan children.

The programme was anchored by Police Inspector Abhay Teli, and the vote of thanks was proposed by Jnani Vruddha Ashram Director Manoj Panchal.