10 September,2026 11:00 AM IST | London | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday received the Commonwealth Public Leadership Award at the British Parliament. Pic/X
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday received the Commonwealth Public Leadership Award at the British Parliament during his three-day visit to London, and attributed the recognition to the work of the state government and its welfare schemes.
Speaking to ANI, Shinde highlighted the Maharashtra government's initiatives aimed at providing financial assistance and public services, including a women's welfare scheme and a programme intended to make government services more accessible to citizens.
Shinde is on an official visit to London from September 9 to 11.
Shinde said he was pleased with the reception he received in London and described the award as recognition of the work carried out in Maharashtra.
"I am very happy to come to London because as soon as I landed at the airport, I saw glimpses of Maharashtra's culture and the Marathi spirit being celebrated. Many people were waiting to welcome me. I was also honoured with the Commonwealth Public Leadership Award at the British Parliament. This is the blessing of 12 crore people of Maharashtra. The women's welfare scheme and the government services programme have become very beneficial for the people of Maharashtra, and I have received this award because of the work done through these initiatives," he said.
Shinde credited the Mahayuti government and said the award reflected the impact of schemes implemented by the state administration. His remarks were made in the context of the welfare and public-service initiatives undertaken by the Maharashtra government.
Shinde also spoke about his meetings with students, entrepreneurs and industrialists during the London visit.
"Today, I met students, entrepreneurs, and small and big industrialists. I saw that people are working towards promoting Maharashtra's culture even in London. I got an opportunity to speak in Marathi at the British Parliament. The entire day in London became a celebration of Marathi culture. The work done by the Mahayuti government through the women's welfare scheme and the government services programme was recognised by the UK government, and I am very happy to receive this award," Shinde said.
The deputy chief minister's visit includes engagements with members of the Indian diaspora as well as business representatives, as Maharashtra seeks to strengthen cultural and economic ties with the UK.
In a post on X, Shinde referred to the reception he received from members of the Marathi community at London Airport.
"This time, the local Marathi residents living in London shook the entire airport with their traditional attire and the resounding beats of traditional drums. They welcomed me with immense joy amid chants of Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji, and 'May the beloved brother of our beloved sisters emerge victorious,'" he said.
Shinde also said he met event organisers and members of the Marathi community who have lived in the UK for several years.
"On this occasion, I had the opportunity to meet the organizers of the events here, as well as many people who have lived in the UK for years yet kept the fragrance of Marathi soil alive in their hearts. With the youth's support, they first held the saffron flag and then the tricolor, raising slogans of Jai Hind and Jai Maharashtra. Their heartfelt welcome marked the start of my London visit with great enthusiasm," Shinde posted.
One of the schemes highlighted by Shinde is the Maharashtra government's women's welfare programme, which was launched by the state's Women and Child Development Department.
The scheme is aimed at providing financial assistance to women aged between 21 and 65 years. According to the scheme's stated objectives, the assistance is intended to support women's economic independence, health and nutrition and their role in household decision-making.
Eligible beneficiaries receive Rs 1,500 through direct benefit transfer (DBT), according to the details provided by the Maharashtra government.
Shinde has previously highlighted the scheme as one of the major welfare initiatives implemented by the state government.
The other initiative cited by Shinde was the government services programme launched in May 2023, when he was serving as Maharashtra chief minister.
The programme is designed to provide citizens access to government benefits, documents and welfare schemes at a single location, reducing the need to visit multiple government offices.
Shinde said the initiatives had benefited people across Maharashtra and linked their implementation to the recognition he received in London.
