‘Balasaheb’s Dreams Are Being Fulfilled’: Eknath Shinde Unveils Big Welfare Push on Sena Founder’s Birth Centenary

Mumbai: Marking the birth centenary year of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on January 23 announced a wide-ranging set of welfare initiatives, calling them a tribute to Balasaheb’s vision for the common people.

Beginning the day by paying respects at Balasaheb Thackeray’s statue in Colaba, Shinde later addressed the media at Balasaheb Bhavan near Mantralaya. During his address, he reflected on his own political journey and asserted that the Shiv Sena he leads is carrying forward Balasaheb’s ideology in action, not just in words.

Recalling his rise in politics, Shinde spoke emotionally about starting as a local shakha pramukh and eventually taking on the responsibility of leading the state. He said the welfare decisions announced were inspired by Balasaheb’s lifelong focus on public service, health, education, and the dignity of ordinary citizens.

One of the key announcements was the launch of “Aarogya Aplya Daari”, a health programme aimed at delivering medical services directly to people’s homes through urban local bodies. The scheme will focus on early detection of serious illnesses, including juvenile diabetes and breast and cervical cancer, with the goal of saving lives through timely diagnosis.

Shinde also announced additional funding for free-treatment schemes in Mumbai’s civic hospitals, ensuring that patients do not need prescriptions or money to access basic healthcare services.

In another major decision, the state government will undertake a conservation and cleanliness drive at historic forts linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Clean drinking water facilities will be installed, sanitation measures improved, and NGOs participating in upkeep work will be provided financial support as recognition for their efforts.

Urban development received special attention, with Shinde announcing financial assistance for local bodies across Maharashtra. Municipal councils will receive ₹1 crore each, while municipal corporations will get ₹3 crore each under the Nagari Lok Kalyan Abhiyan, a programme focused on improving schools and encouraging students through competitions related to governance, creativity, and public awareness.

Highlighting Balasaheb Thackeray’s emphasis on education and social empowerment, Shinde announced ₹100 crore for strengthening women’s self-help groups and another ₹100 crore for promoting the Marathi language. As part of the centenary celebrations, he also revealed that 10,000 women would be given martial arts training by retired army personnel to boost confidence and self-defense skills.

Adding to the welfare list, Shinde said the state transport corporation would operate special subsidised tours to religious destinations, making pilgrimages affordable for ordinary citizens.

Concluding his address, Shinde claimed that recent local body election results showed the Shiv Sena as the second-largest political force in Maharashtra. He also said that two long-cherished dreams of Balasaheb Thackeray—removal of Article 370 and the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya—have been fulfilled under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.