CM Fadnavis, former CJI Bhushan Gavai launch civic education booklets for Mumbai civic school students

Following the launch, Fadnavis and Gavai visited a Class 6 classroom, explained lessons from the booklets and interacted with students.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and former Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai on Friday launched two booklets, ‘Smart Citizen' and ‘Vidyarthi Prerana', for students of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools at Mumbai Public School on Bhavani Shankar Road in Dadar West.

The booklets aim to familiarise students with constitutional values, civic responsibilities and the life of Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Following the launch, Fadnavis and Gavai visited a Class 6 classroom, explained lessons from the booklets and interacted with students.

Booklets focus on civic duties, constitutional values

While ‘Smart Citizen' focuses on civics and constitutional values, ‘Vidyarthi Prerana' draws on the life and legacy of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

The BMC initiative aims to encourage students to think critically, make informed decisions and understand their responsibilities towards their families, schools, society and the country.

Mayor, civic officials attend launch

The event was attended by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, MLAs Amit Satam, Mahesh Sawant and Kalidas Kolambkar, and BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide.

Other attendees included group leader Amey Ghole, MNS group leader and G North Ward Committee chairman Yashwant Killedar, Standing Committee chairman Prabhakar Shinde, Education Committee chairperson Rajeshree Shirwadkar and Public Health Committee chairman Harish Bhandirge.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 2) Prashant Sapkale, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Education) Dr Prachi Jambhekar and Assistant Commissioner Yogesh Desai were also present, along with corporators and other civic representatives.

Maharashtra to make Scout-Guide training mandatory in all schools

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government plans to make Scout-Guide training mandatory in all schools across the state, covering around 2.10 crore students in 1.08 lakh schools across all mediums of instruction. School Education Minister Dada Bhuse issued directions to officials to expand the programme during a review meeting on Wednesday.

Currently, around 17.33 lakh students from 30,000 schools receive Scout-Guide training. The state plans to extend the initiative to all schools as part of the School Education Department's ‘Nation First' approach.

Bhuse directed officials to make Scout-Guide activities available in all schools and include parades, marches and drills performed to patriotic songs as part of the initiative.

Schools will also be required to allocate two periods every week for these activities under the ‘Ananddayi Shanivar' (Joyful Saturday) programme.