Thackeray inaugurates AIILSG Convocation, awards certificates to meritorious students

All India Institute of Local Self-Government (AIILSG) organised its annual convocation ceremony at its Andheri office in Mumbai. Many dignitaries including Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena president; Subhash Desai, Maharashtra Industries Minister; Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, Mayor of Mumbai; and Ranjit Chavan, President of AIILSG were present at the occasion

MUMBAI: Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated the ceremony at Mayor’s Hall and distributed certificates to successful candidates who have passed Sanitary Inspector (SI) and Local Self-Government Diploma courses.
Thackeray congratulated the Institute for running several relevant courses. He said that the learning never stops as we keep on learning from our daily experiences and happenings around us in society. About sanitation, he commented that it is the responsibility of every citizen to maintain cleanliness and avoid littering.
Thackeray released the new book ‘Policies and Issues in Urbanisation in India since 1990s’ written by Ranjit Chavan. AIILSG President Chavan informed the audience about the initiatives taken by AIILSG for providing qualitative and vocational guidance to students and municipal officials and also talked about the role of AIILSG in empowering civic authorities across the country. At present, AIILSG is running 42 centres in 25 states. Chavan in his welcome speech said that the convocation for award of diplomas and certificates to the successful students of the preceding academic year is held by the institute on 31 August, which is also the birthday of Late Shri C.D. Barfiwala the first Director General of the AIILSG and during his long tenure (1930-1966) he took the institute to a great height of success. Chavan added, “Uddhavji Thackeray shares a good bonding with our institution. Our institution is running successfully since 1926 and we have made our mark not only in India but overseas. We offer 12 courses for students pursuing Fire Academy, Fireman Course, Nursing Academy, Sanitary Inspector and other courses. More than 15 lakh students and elected representatives have been trained by the institute and they are discharging their duties in an efficient manner. Our courses are short-term and job-oriented.” Chavan also handed over a cheque of Rs 100,000 to Shivsena Kerala Relief Fund.
Subhash Desai, Maharashtra Industries Minister, said, “Balasaheb Thackeray had spoken about the importance of this institution in 1985 when Shiv Sena had emerged victorious in the BMC elections. He also recommended the name of this institution to impart training to Sena corporators. This institution has played a vital role in training them.”
Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, Mayor of Mumbai, appreciated the institute’s commitment towards the cause of empowering city leaders by anchoring the Maharashtra Mayors Council.
Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Jairaj Phatak, former Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation; Ashish Deosthali, Sr Deputy Director General, AIILSG; Ravi Ranjan Guru, Deputy Director General, AIILSG; Dr Sneha Palnitkar, Head of Waste Management Cell, AIILSG; Utkarsha Kavedi, Director, Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies, Mumbai; Rajkishor Modi, Member. Governing Council of AlILSG; and Prakash Wani, Dean, AIILSG.