By Mewati Sitaram
Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan on March 19th, 2025 presented the esteemed Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Award 2025 to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a distinguished ceremony held at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. The event brought together an impressive gathering of notable leaders and personalities, including Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, and Vijay Darda, Chairman of Lokmat Media Group.
The award ceremony also saw several other influential individuals being honored with Special Awards for their exceptional contributions across various sectors. The recipients of these accolades included Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv; Brahmavihari Swami of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha; actor Kartik Aaryan; and Deven Bharti, Special Commissioner of Mumbai Police, among others.
During the ceremony, Governor Radhakrishnan made a significant remark regarding the cultural and linguistic contributions of the state. He stated, “Tamil had to undergo considerable efforts to attain the status of a classical language, while Marathi was granted this status much earlier. I thank the Central Government for their support in this process. I hope that the people of Maharashtra will recognize and embrace the importance of our state’s rich literary and cultural heritage.”
The Governor also expressed his thoughts on the role of the media, urging newspapers to give equal prominence to economic development news alongside political coverage. He highlighted the crucial link between economic prosperity and social well-being, stating that generating economic growth would not only create jobs but also improve the lives of the underprivileged.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, upon receiving the award, expressed his gratitude and humility. He acknowledged that the prestigious Lokmat award was not just a personal achievement, but one shared with his family. “This recognition will serve as an inspiration for me to continue striving towards greater excellence and contributing to the progress of our state,” said Fadnavis.
In addition to the award bestowed upon the Chief Minister, several other distinguished personalities were honored for their remarkable contributions to society. Minister for Industries & Marathi Language Uday Samant and Minister for Women & Child Development Aditi Tatkare were also presented with the Lokmat Maharashtriyan of the Year Award, recognizing their exceptional social service efforts.
The ceremony further celebrated the achievements of numerous outstanding individuals across various fields, including Yajurvendra Mahajan of the Deepstambh Foundation, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh, Mumbai DCP Dikshit Gedam, teacher Sandeep Pawar from Beed, agriculturist Shivajirao Dole from Nashik, badminton star Chirag Shetty, pediatric surgeon Dr. Jui Mandke, dental surgeon Dr. Sachin Khatri, industrialist Asa Singh, and Grasper Global CEO Dhvanil Sheth.
The evening was a testament to the dedication and tireless efforts of these individuals in shaping a brighter future for Maharashtra, showcasing their significant impact on society.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
