Rajasthan's Minister for Education, Sanskrit Education, and Panchayati Raj, Madan Dilawar, felicitated by the Rajasthani diaspora in Delhi
Neeti Gopendra Bhatt
New Delhi. Madan Dilawar, Rajasthan's Minister for Education, Sanskrit Education, and Panchayati Raj, stated that the Rajasthan government is working swiftly to provide primary education in the mother tongue and local regional languages, in alignment with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the New Education Policy-2020.
Addressing a felicitation ceremony organized by the Delhi Chapter of the Rajasthan Foundation and the Rajasthan Mitra Mandal at Anuvrat Bhawan on Deendayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi, on Thursday evening, Dilawar announced that the task of compiling a dictionary covering the languages of all regions of the state has been completed.
At the event, Education Minister Dilawar was accorded a warm welcome; he was presented with a traditional stole (*ang-vastra*) and a memento. Dignitaries present included CA Dr. Ram Avatar Kila (President, Rajasthan Foundation Delhi Chapter), Navratan Agarwal Bikanerwala (President, Rajasthan Sanstha Sangh), Dr. Gaurav Gupta (President, Rajasthani Academy), K.C. Jain (President, Anuvrat Nyas and retired IRS officer), social activist Prakash Lakhotia, and Jai Narayan Meena (RAS, Special Assistant to the Education Minister), along with representatives from various organizations in Delhi.
*Appeal to the diaspora to contribute to the state's all-round development*
Speaking at the ceremony, Education Minister Madan Dilawar told the Rajasthani diaspora that regardless of which country or city in the world serves as their *karmabhumi* (place of work/livelihood), the debt owed to one's *janmabhumi* (birthplace) can never be fully repaid. He called upon the diaspora to extend generous support for initiatives in education, health, sanitation, water conservation, and rural development in Rajasthan—the country's largest state by geographical area. He stated that through the joint efforts of the state government and society, Rajasthan could become a leading state in the country in the fields of education, sanitation, and overall development. The Education Minister noted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, the Rajasthan government aims to secure the top spot nationally in terms of educational quality and ensure that no child in the state remains uneducated. Urging expatriate Rajasthanis to carry forward the tradition of serving their homeland, Dilawar remarked that the Marwari community holds a deep attachment to its birthplace alongside its place of work, and the spirit of service runs in their blood. Expatriate Rajasthanis settled in nearly every part of the world have kept the glorious tradition of service, philanthropy, and social upliftment alive to this day. By establishing dharamshalas (community rest houses), schools, hospitals, and numerous public welfare institutions, they have set a unique and unparalleled example of social service. Today, there is a need for them to actively participate in Rajasthan's initiatives regarding education, rural development, and environmental conservation.
*Modern street lighting systems to be developed from Gram Panchayat headquarters to villages, mirroring urban areas*
Highlighting the schemes of the Panchayati Raj Department, Minister Dilawar stated that a modern street lighting system would be developed across the state—extending from Gram Panchayat headquarters to the villages—thereby illuminating rural areas. He noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's *Swachh Bharat Mission* (Clean India Mission), cleanliness in villages is being transformed into a mass movement. Alongside toilet construction, the government is ensuring regular sanitation services and the availability of sanitation vehicles in villages, starting with the Gram Panchayat headquarters. "Our goal is for Rajasthan's villages to become the cleanest in the country," he said. Emphasizing that water, forest, and environmental conservation are the most critical needs of the hour, he stated that public participation is essential to improve groundwater levels and tackle the challenge of global warming in water-scarce Rajasthan. Dilawar mentioned that last year, the state planted 110 million (11 crore) saplings, exceeding the target; a target of planting 100 million (10 crore) saplings has been set for this year as well.
*School Management Committees in Rajasthan mobilized to combat substance abuse in villages*
Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's call for a drug-free India, Dilawar stated that the most effective campaign against substance abuse is one built upon instilling good values in children. In Rajasthan, School Management Committees have been entrusted with the responsibility of raising public awareness about banning substance abuse and playing an active role in creating a drug-free society; they have also been asked to prepare relevant lists for this purpose.
At the outset, Dr. Ram Avatar Kila, President of the Rajasthan Foundation (Delhi Chapter), welcomed the Education Minister and urged him to reopen the Rajasthan Foundation office at the Resident Commissioner's office in Bikaner House, New Delhi. He also requested that whenever Rajasthan government ministers or officials visit Delhi, arrangements be made to include meetings with the expatriate Rajasthani community residing there. Dr. Kila stated that efforts are underway to establish a 'Vishram Sadan' (rest house) at SMS Hospital in Jaipur—modeled after similar facilities in Delhi and other states—to ensure that patients arriving from various parts of the state, along with their families, have access to proper medical treatment, medicines, accommodation, and meals. In collaboration with the Bhaurao Deoras Seva Nyas, we are currently operating six such rest houses across hospitals in various cities, including Delhi. To date, we have provided free meals and other essentials to over ten million people in Delhi alone.
Dr. Kila noted that hundreds of people travel daily from Rajasthan to New Delhi for treatment at major hospitals like AIIMS and Safdarjung. Far from home and in an unfamiliar city, amidst sprawling hospital complexes, they often feel isolated. Through the 'Sanjeevani Chikitsa Seva' initiative, we are extending a helping hand to such individuals. He remarked that while we, as expatriate Rajasthanis, reside in the Delhi capital region due to our professions, businesses, education, and other responsibilities, our home state of Rajasthan remains close to our hearts. The village lanes, our people, our dialect, festivals, Rajasthani cuisine, and the scent of our native soil remain etched in our memories. Perhaps this is why, upon meeting a fellow Rajasthani in Delhi, the vast metropolis begins to feel like our own Rajasthan. Driven by this sentiment, we organize a grand 'Rajasthan Diwas' (Rajasthan Day) celebration in Delhi every year. It is not merely a cultural event but also an occasion for Rajasthani families to come together. Approximately 10,000 to 12,000 Rajasthani families participated in this year's Rajasthan Diwas event held on March 15. When thousands of Rajasthanis gather in one place, it truly feels as though Rajasthan exists right here in Delhi.
K.C. Jain, President of Anuvrat Nyas, and social activist Prakash Lakhotia also shared their views on the occasion. The event was moderated by Kanishk Yadav.
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