Udaipur- Following his swearing-in, the newly appointed Governor of Rajasthan, Haribhau Kishanrao Bagde, highlighted his focus on accelerating the cooperative movement in tribal areas during his first press conference. Governor Bagde, hailing from Maharashtra, emphasized the success of the cooperative movement in Maharashtra and Gujarat, which is renowned worldwide. The cooperative movement is credited with initiating the White Revolution in India. Rajasthan is also a leading state in milk production, supplying the majority of milk to the national capital, Delhi.
Governor Bagde's emphasis on the cooperative movement in tribal areas demonstrates his visionary approach. This focus could curb the migration trend and attract the youth towards self-employment in the regions bordering Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Thousands of people from these areas migrate to neighboring states for employment annually, leading to growing dissatisfaction and separatist tendencies. If the cooperative movement is effectively implemented, it could lay a new foundation for development in these regions.
The Indian Constitution assigns the President direct responsibility for the development of tribal areas, with the Governor acting as the President’s representative. Governor Bagde’s vision for adopting cooperatives for tribal development reflects his forward-thinking approach. Integrating the dairy industry, fisheries, honey production, and forest produce through cooperatives can significantly enhance the overall development of tribal communities. Major reservoirs like Mahi Bajaj Sagar, Som Kagdar, Jakhm, and Jaisamand provide ample opportunities for fisheries. Governor Bagde also prioritized education, which can play a crucial role in the development of tribal areas.
In his press conference, Governor Bagde emphasized that his efforts will be directed towards advancing Rajasthan in all sectors. He acknowledged the significant allocation for agriculture in Rajasthan's budget. He stressed that embracing cooperatives requires a change in mindset and that the benefits of cooperatives can extend to the entire desert state. He also expressed his intent for Rajasthan and Maharashtra to collaborate in business ventures.
Governor Bagde highlighted quality education as his top priority, aiming to address issues in private education and promote courses that enhance entrepreneurship in line with the new education policy. He pledged timely implementation of central and state government schemes, linking education with skill development. He also mentioned his commitment to advancing the legacy of Kalraj Mishra in upholding the Constitution.
Governor Bagde expressed his gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for entrusting him with the responsibilities of Governor. He committed to serving Mother India with dedication, praising Rajasthan’s glorious history of sacrifice and inspiration.
Haribhau Kishanrao Bagde comes from a humble background in Maharashtra. He has previously sold newspapers in Aurangabad’s Phulambri to make a living. His friendly and popular demeanor led the BJP to field him in the 1985 assembly elections, where he won and entered the legislative assembly. Bagde, who has served four terms as an MLA, has also held the position of Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and worked as an employment minister in Maharashtra.
Born on August 17, 1945, in Chittepimpalgaon, Aurangabad, Bagde is known for his simplicity and soft-spoken nature. He has been an MLA six times, first elected in 1985 from Aurangabad East. He later won from Fulambri constituency in 2014 and 2019. Bagde has a reputation for prioritizing work over self-interest, earning him widespread respect and popularity.
Known for his strong public relations and popularity in his constituency, Bagde’s iconic appearance includes a white kurta, dhoti, and Gandhi cap. He joined the RSS at the age of 13 and worked for the RSS mouthpiece 'Vivek' from 1965 to 1969. During the Emergency, Bagde actively helped RSS and Jan Sangh leaders and reported daily news to the public, increasing his popularity in his area.
In rural areas, Bagde established ‘milk societies’ and provided employment through sugar mills. He has also served as Vice President of Devgiri Nagari Sahakari Co-Operative Bank. As Rajasthan's new Governor, Bagde’s visit to the national capital Delhi is scheduled for four days starting Thursday. During this visit, he is expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other central leaders.
It remains to be seen how Governor Haribhau Kishanrao Bagde’s tenure will impact Rajasthan’s development in cooperatives, education, and other sectors.