The Maharashtra Assembly today unanimously passed an amendment bill to name Jalgaon-based North Maharashtra University after noted 19th century poetess Bahinabai Chaudhari.
State Education Minister Vinod Tawde moved the amendment, which was supported by leaders from both the opposition and the ruling parties including former minister Eknath Khadse (BJP), Leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil (Congress), Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse-Patil (all NCP), Ganpatrao Deshmukh (PWP) and others.
Bahinabai, an illiterate cotton farmer from Jalgaon district, composed her songs verbally in ovi metre in a mixture of two dialects: Khandesi and Varhadi. She led a very difficult life because of the economic, social, cultural, and emotional circumstances arising out of widowhood in that period.
"The government has tried to bring before the world the philosophy of the poetess by proposing to name the university after Bahinabai," said Khadse who represents Muktainagar assembly constituency in Jalgaon district.
Vikhe-Patil noted that naming the university after Bahinabai would be an honour for the varsity as well as the state government.
"At the same time, efforts be made to enhance quality and standards of the university," he said.
Pawar and Bhujbal echoed similar sentiments, saying the varsity should work in a manner befitting the greatness of the poetess.
Walse-Patil suggested the government can set up a chair named after Bahinabai at the university to depict her life and work.
In his response, Tawde said that efforts would be made to improve the quality of education imparted at the varsity.
"We hope to create a human being as desired by the poetess," the minister added.
Tawde said the government would consider the proposal to set up chair at the varsity.
He also announced a naming ceremony would be held on August 11, celebrated as birth anniversary of Bahinabai, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
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