Rajasthan on Saturday marked the bicentenary birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, with Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma announcing a series of projects to honour his pioneering role in the welfare of the underprivileged and the promotion of education, particularly among women.
The new initiatives include the establishment of 41 Mahatma Phule Adarsh Vidyalayas and the opening of more than 350 Savitribai Phule e-libraries, with at least one library in every block of the state.
While the state-level function was held in Bandikui town of Dausa district, several programmes were organised across cities and towns, where leaders across party lines, social reformers, and academicians paid rich tributes to the social reformer and educationist.
At the Bandikui event, Chief Minister Sharma announced a year-long celebration to commemorate Phule’s bicentenary. He highlighted Phule’s contributions towards the upliftment of deprived sections, farmers, labourers, and marginalised communities, as well as his efforts against social evils such as untouchability and illiteracy.
Sharma also acknowledged the contributions of Savitribai Phule, noting that she worked alongside her husband to promote education, especially among women and the underprivileged, often facing strong social resistance.
To honour the reformist couple, the state government will establish at least one e-library in a selected higher secondary school in every block or panchayat samiti headquarters. Additionally, one Mahatma Phule Adarsh Vidyalaya will be set up in each of the state’s 41 districts.
The Chief Minister also announced that the Bandikui Government Polytechnic College will be renamed as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Government Polytechnic College. A road overbridge (RoB) at the Bandikui–Dausa level crossing will also be constructed.
During the event, Sharma laid the foundation stone for, or inaugurated, 213 development works worth ₹607.66 crore.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Prem Chand Bairwa, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot paid floral tributes to Phule at a function near Civil Lines. Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully attended a programme in Alwar, while BJP state president Madan Dilawar paid tributes to the reformist couple in Bikaner.