Governor’s address on the occasion of Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Shri Ganpati Netralaya, Jalna

Address by Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra on the occasion of Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Shri Ganpati Netralaya, Jalna at 1115 hrs on Monday 17th September 2018

Shri Haribhau Bagade, Hon’ble Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Shri Raosaheb Danve, Hon’ble Member of Parliament and President, Maharashtra Pradesh BJP, Shri Babanrao Lonikar, Hon’ble Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation, Smt Sangita Gorantyal, President, Jalna Nagar Parishad, Shri Rajendra Barwale, Chairman, Ganapati Netralaya, Dr Usha Barwale, other members of the Barwale family, Dr Hrishikesh Naigaonkar, Medical Director, Ganpati Netralaya, doctors, surgeons, paramedical and administrative staff, distinguished invitees, ladies and gentlemen,

नमस्कार. सर्व प्रथम आपणा सर्वांना ‘मराठवाडा मुक्ती संग्राम दिनाच्या’ मनःपूर्वक शुभेच्छा देतो.

सर्वत्र गणेशोत्सव उत्साहात सुरु आहे. गणपती बाप्पा विराजमान आहेत. अशावेळी गणपती नेत्रालयाला भेट देत आहे, याचा मला विशेष आनंद होत आहे.

I was extremely happy to visit the Ganapati Netralaya and to see the various services and facilities provided by the hospital to the people of this region.

I must confess, I couldn’t believe myself that such a modern eye hospital as Ganapati Netralaya, is actually functioning here for the last 25 years and providing the best of ophthalmic care to the poor and the needy persons, almost free of cost.

Ganpati Netralaya is an outstanding example of social commitment of Dr B R Barwale. I was pleased to note that Ganapati Netralaya also runs three sub-centres for the benefit of the people. Secondly, it has the largest eye bank in Maharashtra. I was impressed to note that the Hospital has performed nearly 2 lakh surgeries and attended more than 7 lakh patients ! Today I was happy to learn that the Hospital has made 2 villages completely blind-free. This is truly remarkable and commendable.

I really wish that Ganapati Netralaya opens branches in all districts of the State and makes quality eye care accessible to the people of Maharashtra.

I convey my appreciation to every single member associated with the Ganapati Netralaya parivar. I am proud of you and Maharashtra is proud of you for what you are doing to serve the people.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I was equally pleased to release the biography of Dr B R Barwale today.

When I think of the life and work of Dr B. R. Barwale, I am simply astounded by his personality and find myself at a loss of words.

I had the opportunity to meet Dr Barwale Ji in Raj Bhavan. I found him to be the most humble, affable and transparent person who had empathy for the farmers and the poor.

Dr Barwale Ji was a freedom fighter and played an important role in the movement to liberate Marathwada from the Nizam’s rule.

By starting the Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company way back in 1964, Barwale Ji pioneered the introduction of hybrids in many crops across the country. His work was appreciated by the leaders of India’s Green Revolution C. Subramanyam and Dr M S Swaminathan. It was also commended by the world renowned scientist Dr Norman Borlaug. It is a matter of great pride for Maharashtra that Dr Barwale was perhaps the only recipient of the ‘World Food Prize’ from Maharashtra.

Many people in Maharashtra, let alone India, are not aware of the fact that it was Dr Barwale who made Jalna the seed capital of India through Mahyco. That makes him the Father of the Seed Industry in India.

Through his research based work, Dr Barwale made a difference to the life of innumerable farmers by bringing the best of agricultural science to their farms. If Maharashtra has become self-sufficient in agricultural production, a significant credit must go to Dr B R Barwale, the visionary leader. He was truly the emancipator of the small and marginal farmers in India. I will say, Dr Barwarle was a ‘Bhagirath’ who brought the Ganga of development to this region.

It is amazing to see that the sapling planted by Dr Barwale is being nurtured most efficiently by Shri Rajendra Barwale, Dr Usha Barwale and others.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I wish to flag two issues for the consideration of this august gathering. Until recently, we saw global warming and climate change as merely topics of international Conferences and Seminars. How wrong we were ! Global warming and climatic change have reached our doorsteps. This region of Marathwada has seen the fluctuations in climatic change more frequently than other regions.

Between the first Green Revolution and now, the population of India has increased three folds. In the years to come, our major challenge will be to make our nation self sufficient in agriculture while also maintaining the wonderful agro- biodiversity of our country. Needless to say, we have great expectations from the Mahyco family.

The second issue is skill development. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi has expressed his vision to make India the Skill Capital of the World. For this purpose, we will have to empower our youths to be more employable and self-sustainable. Skill development and enterprise can together transform the economy of Marathwada.

I understand that the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University is keen to start a Skill Development Institution in Jalna. I was pleased to note that the District Collector has already allotted the land for this purpose. I wish to see the Skill Development Institution coming up quickly so that more youths from the region will get skill training in various trades.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dr Barwale was truly a ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’. The legacy of social service he left behind is a testimony of his vast good work. He created several educational institutions for the benefit of the poor and needy. I wish and hope that this legacy will be carried forward with dedication and commitment.

The Memoir of Dr Barwale is an outstanding volume and I am sure it will inspire the readers, especially the youth of Marathwada. I commend the book to the readers.

Once again I congratulate and convey my appreciation to the Barwale family and the Ganapati Netralaya Parivar and wish them continued success in their future endeavours.

Thank you

Jai Hind ! Jai Maharashtra !!