State-Level Main Programme to Be Held in Nashik on the Occasion of Sant Ravidas Maharaj’s 650th Birth Anniversary Year
Mumbai, October 2026: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to implement the special campaign ‘Har Ghar Sant Ravidas Vichar – Viksit Maharashtra’ on a large scale across the state from November 2026 to February 2027, marking the 650th birth anniversary year of Sant Ravidas Maharaj.
The Chief Minister directed that the teachings of Sant Ravidas Maharaj on humanity, equality, compassion and a society free from suffering should reach every section of society, including people at the grassroots level. He also instructed all concerned departments to establish an effective implementation mechanism through coordinated efforts.
Fadnavis was speaking at a review meeting of the special campaign held at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai to mark the 650th birth anniversary year of Sant Ravidas Maharaj. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Social Justice and Special Assistance Minister Sanjay Shirsat, Minister of State Madhuri Misal, MLA Ravindra Chavan, state coordinator for the 650th birth anniversary year Rameshwar Naik, and co-coordinator Ravindra Rathod were present.
Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Textiles Minister Sanjay Savkare, and BARTI Director General Dr. Deepa Mudhol-Munde, along with additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries and secretaries from various departments, also participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
Chief Minister Fadnavis said the campaign’s primary objective was to bring about broad social and intellectual integration through various initiatives organised during Sant Ravidas Maharaj’s 650th birth anniversary year.
Sant Ravidas Maharaj taught the values of equality, humanity, dignity of labour and social justice. Efforts should be made to ensure that these teachings do not remain confined to programmes but become part of people’s everyday lives, he said. The campaign, based on Sant Ravidas Maharaj’s philosophy, would bring together all sections of society and further strengthen social harmony.
The campaign would also help strengthen social harmony and fraternity by highlighting commonalities among different social traditions and the message of unity reflected in the teachings of saints.
The ‘Hind Ki Chadar’ programme had brought together various sections of society and conveyed the message of national integration. Similarly, initiatives organised during Sant Ravidas Maharaj’s birth anniversary year should convey a broad message of social unity.
The Chief Minister said the concerned departments should establish dedicated implementation mechanisms and complete the scheduled activities on time. A committee would be constituted to continuously review the work, from campaign planning to actual implementation, he added.
Focus on Widespread Public Awareness Through the Kumbh Mela: Minister Girish Mahajan
Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan said the state-level main programme to mark Sant Ravidas Maharaj’s 650th birth anniversary year would be held in Nashik.
A large number of devotees and citizens from across the country participate in the Kumbh Mela. Against this backdrop, the teachings of Sant Ravidas Maharaj and information about the campaign being conducted during his birth anniversary year could be disseminated to a wider audience.
He said a proposal was being considered to organise special initiatives to generate public awareness effectively and at a low cost among the more than 100 million people expected to visit the Kumbh Mela. Broad public participation would make it possible to spread Sant Ravidas Maharaj’s teachings on a large scale, he added.
People Who Have Made Outstanding Contributions to Society to Be Honoured: Minister Sanjay Shirsat
Social Justice and Special Assistance Minister Sanjay Shirsat said individuals who had made outstanding contributions to society should be brought together and honoured with awards during Sant Ravidas Maharaj’s 650th birth anniversary year.
The idea was to honour on a common platform people who had made notable contributions in the social sector in the Nagpur division, Yavatmal and other parts of the state, rather than restricting recognition to separate divisions.
He said the initiative would encourage positive work in society.
Special Scheme to Be Launched in the Name of Sant Ravidas Maharaj: Minister Sanjay Savkare
Textiles Minister Sanjay Savkare proposed launching a special scheme in the name of Sant Ravidas Maharaj.
The scheme should include scholarships for students belonging to Scheduled Castes and financial assistance for young people working in new fields.
He also suggested preparing a plan to collect, promote and disseminate the literature of Sant Ravidas Maharaj so that it becomes more widely available across Maharashtra.
To encourage innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives among Scheduled Caste youth, he proposed establishing a dedicated fund or trust in Sant Ravidas Maharaj’s name to provide the necessary financial support.
Various Initiatives to Mark Sant Ravidas Maharaj’s 650th Birth Anniversary Year
Rameshwar Naik, the state coordinator for Sant Ravidas Maharaj’s 650th birth anniversary year, delivered the introductory address. Co-coordinator Ravindra Rathod made a presentation outlining the proposed initiatives.
The presentation stated that the special campaign ‘Har Ghar Sant Ravidas Vichar – Viksit Maharashtra’ would be conducted from November 2026 to February 2027 to mark the 650th birth anniversary year.
The campaign will be implemented through coordination among various government departments and social organisations. Religious places, social and voluntary organisations, traders’ and workers’ associations, women’s self-help groups, youth groups, government field offices, educational institutions, corporations and healthcare institutions will be involved.
Committees at the state, divisional, district, taluka, city and village levels will oversee the implementation of the campaign.
Plans are in place to connect 108,139 schools, 5,841 colleges, 65 universities and 11,150 public libraries across the state with the campaign.
Schools and colleges will organise essay-writing competitions, elocution contests, quizzes, readings of the literature of saints, research activities and cultural programmes. Various social service initiatives will also be conducted to instil the values of social equality and humanity among students.
Campaign activities will include free health check-ups, blood donation camps, eye and dental examinations, and awareness programmes on women’s and children’s health, nutrition, de-addiction and sanitation.
To highlight the importance of labour, the campaign will organise the ‘Shramveer Samman’ initiative, exhibitions of artisans’ products, programmes promoting women’s economic self-reliance and a Youth Service Week.
Thought-sharing meetings and tree-plantation drives are planned in 650 villages across the state. Two publicity vehicles in every district will spread the teachings of Sant Ravidas Maharaj. Videos, podcasts, interviews and interactive programmes will also be used to convey the campaign’s message to citizens.
To make effective use of digital platforms, initiatives such as ‘Digital Ravidas 650’, an e-library, digital quizzes and a series of 650 inspirational video stories will be undertaken.
Various media platforms will be used to give wide publicity to Sant Ravidas Maharaj’s teachings, the message of social equality and the activities conducted under the campaign.
The state-level main programme is proposed to be held in Nashik on February 13 and 14, 2027. It will feature the concept of Begumpura, Sant Sangam, cultural programmes, Samata Mahamanch, an exhibition on the legacy of Sant Ravidas, an interaction centre and community food service.
Following the main programme, plans have been drawn up for the ‘Samaj Kumbh’ initiative to bring together different social and religious traditions and promote the values of equality, fraternity, social integration and humanity.
