Thousands of citizens, political workers and dignitaries gathered at Ulwe on Tuesday evening for the Amrut Mahotsav felicitation ceremony of former MP Ramsheth Thakur, where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hailed him as a “modern-day Eklavya” for repaying the debt of education and society through decades of contribution towards public causes.
The event, held at Ramsheth Thakur Ground in Ulwe Sector 12, also witnessed the inauguration of the new ultra-modern building of Ramsheth Thakur Public School run by Janardan Bhagat Shikshan Prasarak Sanstha.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, BJP Maharashtra president Ravindra Chavan and several ministers, MPs, MLAs and civic officials attended the large-scale ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Fadnavis said Ramsheth Thakur had contributed more than Rs 135 crore to Rayat Shikshan Sanstha over the years as a form of “guru dakshina” towards the institution that shaped his life.
“Just as Eklavya dedicated everything to his guru, Ramsheth Thakur has repaid his debt towards education and society through lifelong work,” the Chief Minister said.
Fadnavis extensively traced Ramsheth Thakur’s journey from modest beginnings to becoming a major entrepreneur, social worker and political leader in the Navi Mumbai-Raigad region. He recalled that Thakur initially began with small contract works worth around Rs 10,000 while simultaneously working a regular job and gradually built a large infrastructure business through determination and public trust.
The Chief Minister also highlighted Ramsheth Thakur’s role in movements linked to the rights of project-affected persons, local employment and Bhoomiputra participation during Navi Mumbai’s early development phase under CIDCO and JNPT-related expansion.
“He showed that local sons of the soil could execute major projects with capability and determination,” Fadnavis remarked.
The Chief Minister further praised Ramsheth Thakur’s decision to voluntarily step away from electoral politics despite serving as a successful two-time Member of Parliament.
“When the development history of Navi Mumbai and Raigad is written, Ramsheth Thakur’s contribution will certainly be recorded prominently,” he added.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari praised Ramsheth Thakur’s contribution towards infrastructure development, education, local employment generation and strengthening the BJP’s organisational presence in Raigad district during the party’s early years in the region.
“Ramsheth Thakur is not merely an entrepreneur but a strong leadership figure who consistently fought for the rights of local people and development of the region,” Gadkari said.
The Union Minister also highlighted Ramsheth Thakur’s philanthropic work in education and student welfare, stating that very few financially successful individuals develop a sustained instinct to give back to society.
Gadkari further noted that despite achieving political success, Ramsheth Thakur voluntarily moved away from active politics at a relatively young age and continued focusing on social and educational initiatives.
Responding to the felicitation, Ramsheth Thakur thanked citizens and supporters for their affection and trust over several decades. Reflecting on his early years, he recalled working on small contracts, participating in public agitations during the 1980s and struggling alongside local residents during various movements linked to project-affected persons and employment rights.
“Whatever I have achieved today is because of the support and blessings of the people,” he said.
The programme also witnessed the release of Ramparva, a special publication documenting Ramsheth Thakur’s life journey, struggles, political career and social contribution.
The newly inaugurated Ramsheth Thakur Public School building features modern classrooms, laboratories, digital learning facilities and sports infrastructure aimed at strengthening educational opportunities in the rapidly developing Ulwe region.
Among those present at the ceremony were ministers Ganesh Naik, Ashish Shelar, Aditi Tatkare and Bharat Gogawale, MPs Sunil Tatkare and Shrirang Barne, MLAs Dilip Walse Patil, Prashant Thakur, Manda Mhatre and Mahendra Dalvi, along with senior civic and administrative officials.
Former Chief Minister Sharad Pawar and Pratibha Pawar also separately met Ramsheth Thakur at his Shivajinagar residence and conveyed their wishes on the occasion, organisers stated.
