Mumbai, July 6 (IANS) The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will observe a statewide ‘Jan Seva Saptah’ (Public Service Week) from July 22 to July 26 to celebrate the birth anniversary of the former national president and ex-Deputy Chief Minister late Ajit Pawar. The announcement was made by NCP State President and MP Sunil Tatkare on Monday.

Paying tribute to the late leader, Tatkare described Ajit Pawar as a symbol of relentless hard work, decisive leadership and an unwavering commitment to the public.

He noted that the leader spent his life working for the welfare of farmers, labourers, women, youth and students, leaving a lasting impact across sectors such as agriculture, finance, healthcare and infrastructure. The week-long campaign will feature a series of public welfare initiatives across Maharashtra, structured under key thematic areas.

Reflecting the late leader’s focus on environmental conservation, a massive tree plantation drive will be launched under the theme “Green Maharashtra, Trees My Shadow, Trees My Mother; Ajit Pawar’s Vision, Green Creation” across villages, towns and educational institutions.

In collaboration with the Sahyadri Devrai Foundation, led by veteran actor Sayaji Shinde, the party will launch the ‘Devgiri to Devrai’ tree conservation project. All current and former Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) and members of the State Legislature (Assembly/Council) have been directed to establish at least one ‘Devrai’ (sacred grove) in their respective constituencies.

To bolster public health infrastructure and awareness, the party will organise statewide blood donation camps and free diagnostic drives in both rural and urban areas. Testing for diabetes, blood pressure and eye check-ups will be conducted. Cancer detection and counselling camps (specifically targeting breast, cervical and oral cancers), alongside osteoporosis detection camps tailored for women and senior citizens, will also be held.

Emphasising Ajit Pawar’s dedication to discipline and cleanliness, Tatkare said that extensive cleanliness drives will be conducted at historical forts, memorials of iconic leaders and major public transit hubs such as Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus stations. Additionally, dedicated service camps (Warkari Seva) will be set up during the ongoing Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage.

The NCP’s women’s wing will host state-level conventions focusing on the financial and social independence of women. Initiatives will include skill development training, micro-loan facilitation and leadership guidance for women in local self-government bodies.

According to Tatkare, the party will distribute the ‘Ajit Pawar Women Empowerment Award’ alongside special honours for women in agriculture.

Inspired by the late leader’s keen interest in global agricultural technologies, particularly his advocacy for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in farming, the party will organise AI-based agricultural workshops, exhibitions and crop-pattern counselling sessions. Outstanding progressive farmers will be honoured with the ‘Ajit Dada Krishi Sanman Award’.

To mentor the next generation of leadership, ‘Youth Resolution Camps’ (Yuva Sankalp Shibirs) will be held across major cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nashik. These workshops will train youth workers in leadership, campaign strategies and voter communication for the upcoming local body elections. Former and current athletes who have achieved distinction in various sports will also be honoured, Tatkare informed.

Recognising the welfare schemes initiated by Ajit Pawar for minority communities, dedicated ‘Seva Sankalp Shibirs’ will be organised across the state to ensure the effective implementation and delivery of these welfare benefits to beneficiaries. Tatkare stated that the responsibility for executing the ‘Jan Seva Saptah’ initiatives has been assigned to the respective Guardian Ministers and Liaison Ministers. They have been directed to immediately convene planning meetings with district presidents, frontal cells and local party office-bearers to ensure seamless implementation at the grassroots level.

–IANS

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