Maharaja Samarjitsinh Gaekwad of Baroda was the Chief Guest. He stressed on the significance of education for the upliftment of the disadvantaged sections of the society
Mumbai: The Convocation Ceremony of the All India Institute of Local Self-Government (AIILSG) to award diplomas and certificates to the successful students of the courses of the Institute for the preceding academic years/sessions was held on August 31, 2019 in Mayors’ Hall, Mumbai that is in Andheri office of the institute.
Maharaja Samarjitsinh Gaekwad of Baroda was the Chief Guest. Ranjit Chavan- President, AIILSG and Co-President United Cities and Local Government, Asia Pacific Region, (UCLG-ASPAC) presided over the function. Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Rohini Devi, Maharani of Kuchh-Guest of Honour, Hansa Patel, Executive Advisor, AIILSG, Dr Jairaj Phatak, former Commissioner of BMC and visiting Professor, AIILSG, Ashish Deosthali, Sr Dy Director-General, AIILSG, Utkarsha Kavadi, Director, Regional Centre for Urban & Environmental Studies (RCUES) of AIILSG, Prakash Wani, Dean, AIILSG, V Vijaykumar, Advisor, AIILSG, Dr RV Ghate, Principal, Sanitary Inspectors’ Diploma, and Krishna Korti, Faculty, AIILSG.
Chavan in his speech spoke about the contribution of Late Shri Barfiwala, the first Director-General. In his speech he gave a detailed account of the multifarious activities of the Institute which mainly includes trainings, conduct of skill development courses, project consultancy, policy advocacy, organising of thematic conferences. He further made mention of the services rendered by the specialised bodies like the Regional Centre of Urban and Environmental Studies, National Fire Academy, Nrupur Institute of Nursing and Research, EQUITY Division of the Institute through which CSR programmes are implemented for the welfare of poor sections like education of Notified and De-notified Communities, etc.
Dr Jairaj Phatak in his Speech referred to the glorious history of the erstwhile Princely State of Baroda which had a sterling record in terms of many parameters of governance, social reforms, education, encouragement of arts, upliftment of the poor, etc. This was followed by the Convocation Ceremony.
Two books were released in the function, namely Case-law digest of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act compiled by Ranjit Chavan and SEVADHIKAR, a book on Right to Service Act written by Prof Mayank Akole and Prakash Wani.
Maharaja Samarjitsinhji Gaekwad, in his Convocation Address spoke about the need for giving thrust on education, supporting the disadvantaged sections of the society and protection of environment. In this regard, he gave an account of the Late HH Sayajirao Gaekwad who worked for the welfare of the common man and brought about several social reforms and took many measures for spread of education in Vadodara. He had helped Dr Ambedkar for going abroad for higher studies. He said that in the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, four members out of six were from Vadodara. He also elaborated on the damages being caused to the environment. It was enlightening to hear from him the instance of Late HH Fatehsinh Gaekwad who used the court litigation to the advantage of saving a virgin forest in the context of land ceiling law. He also spoke about city management strategies and empowering the people in urban governance. He appreciated the activities of the Institute and wished the students success in their life. Ashish Deosthali delivered Vote of Thanks.