Maharashtra’s ‘honey village’ to feature in Republic Day event but its makers in Manghar feel left out without invitation
Maharashtra’s ‘honey village’ to feature in Republic Day event but its makers in Manghar feel left out without invitation
To pacify the disappointed villagers, officials say they can attempt to set up a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Written
To pacify the disappointed villagers, officials say they can attempt to set up a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Written
Residents of the Mangar village who practice beekeeping. (Express photo by Pavan Khengre)
Maharashtra will display a tableau featuring its ‘Madhache Gaav’ (honey village) project in New Delhi as part of the Republic Day celebrations. However, despite bringing laurels to the state by becoming the first ‘Madhache Gaav’ in the country, the residents of the Manghar village in the Satara district feel they have been ignored for the Republic Day event in the national capital.
The concept of `Madhache Gaav’ was implemented in the Manghar village in May 2022 by the Directorate of Beekeeping Industry under the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board (MSKVIB) to promote beekeeping and provide an additional income source in the rural area which also benefits to maintain ecological balance. The demand for its replication in other villages is on the rise, and the same was implemented in the Kolhapur district, while the state government decided to have at least one ‘honey village’ in each district.
“It is a proud moment for the residents of the Manghar village, which actively contributed to making the first ‘honey village’ a reality. It was due to the active participation of the villagers that the concept got the boost and brought accolades to the state in the country,” said Ganesh Jadhav, sarpanch of the Manghar village.
The villagers of Manghar are thrilled that their efforts to establish the village as the first ‘honey village’ will receive international recognition by including the concept in the Republic Day event. However, they express their disappointment over the lack of official communication from any authority regarding the selection of their concept for the Republic Day celebration.
Jadhav said they had reached out to the Directorate of Beekeeping Industry to request an opportunity to represent themselves at the exhibit in Delhi, but they had not received a positive response. “We waited a long time for communication from the government, but nothing materialised. With only a few days left until the Republic Day event, we have decided to email the Prime Minister’s Office to request our involvement in demonstrating the concept of a ‘honey village’,” he said.
‘Honey village’ not part of parade, will be on display at exhibition centre
Meanwhile, Ravindra Sathe, chairperson of the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board (MSKVIB), said the Manghar residents approached him about attending the Republic Day event. “Maharashtra is preparing to display the ‘honey village’ concept during the Republic Day event. However, this year, the Maharashtra model will not be part of the parade. Instead, it will be featured at the exhibition centre. The villagers of Manghar have put in considerable effort, and their hopes to participate in the Republic Day event are understandable. Unfortunately, even we at MSKVIB have not yet received an invitation.”
The Defence Ministry organises the entire Republic Day event with a strong emphasis on security and the models representing various states are prepared by the respective cultural departments. “The MSKVIB only requested information about the ‘honey village’ concept, which was provided. Based on that information, the state cultural department is preparing a model to display at the Republic Day event. After that, we have not received any further communication from other departments. I understand that it’s not practical for the Union government to invite representatives from every state, given that models from each state are on display,” he added.
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In what can be a consolation for the residents of the village, Sathe said, “I have informed the villagers of Manghar that I can attempt to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi if they would like to share their experiences about establishing their village as the country’s first ‘honey village’.”
Manghar has transformed into a tourist destination, attracting over 1,00,000 visitors each year since the launch of the ‘honey village’. This influx of tourism has significantly increased the income of the local villagers. A committee of villagers, formed by the Directorate of Beekeeping Industry, established stalls that sold products worth Rs 3 lakh in the past year.
Shashikala Chorge, who began beekeeping and honey collection, said, “I started beekeeping after receiving proper training from the Directorate of Beekeeping. I was thrilled to bring accolades to the Manghar village by participating in the initiative to make it the first ‘honey village.’ This recognition is now gaining international attention through the Republic Day event. I wanted to experience the praise for the ‘honey village at such a significant occasion and hoped to share my experiences with everyone, but unfortunately, we were not invited.”
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/maharashtra-honey-village-republic-day-event-manghar-invitation-9791180/lite/
Maharashtra will display a tableau featuring its ‘Madhache Gaav’ (honey village) project in New Delhi as part of the Republic Day celebrations. However, despite bringing laurels to the state by becoming the first ‘Madhache Gaav’ in the country, the residents of the Manghar village in the Satara district feel they have been ignored for the Republic Day event in the national capital.
The concept of `Madhache Gaav’ was implemented in the Manghar village in May 2022 by the Directorate of Beekeeping Industry under the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board (MSKVIB) to promote beekeeping and provide an additional income source in the rural area which also benefits to maintain ecological balance. The demand for its replication in other villages is on the rise, and the same was implemented in the Kolhapur district, while the state government decided to have at least one ‘honey village’ in each district.
“It is a proud moment for the residents of the Manghar village, which actively contributed to making the first ‘honey village’ a reality. It was due to the active participation of the villagers that the concept got the boost and brought accolades to the state in the country,” said Ganesh Jadhav, sarpanch of the Manghar village.
The villagers of Manghar are thrilled that their efforts to establish the village as the first ‘honey village’ will receive international recognition by including the concept in the Republic Day event. However, they express their disappointment over the lack of official communication from any authority regarding the selection of their concept for the Republic Day celebration.
Jadhav said they had reached out to the Directorate of Beekeeping Industry to request an opportunity to represent themselves at the exhibit in Delhi, but they had not received a positive response. “We waited a long time for communication from the government, but nothing materialised. With only a few days left until the Republic Day event, we have decided to email the Prime Minister’s Office to request our involvement in demonstrating the concept of a ‘honey village’,” he said.
‘Honey village’ not part of parade, will be on display at exhibition centre
Meanwhile, Ravindra Sathe, chairperson of the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board (MSKVIB), said the Manghar residents approached him about attending the Republic Day event. “Maharashtra is preparing to display the ‘honey village’ concept during the Republic Day event. However, this year, the Maharashtra model will not be part of the parade. Instead, it will be featured at the exhibition centre. The villagers of Manghar have put in considerable effort, and their hopes to participate in the Republic Day event are understandable. Unfortunately, even we at MSKVIB have not yet received an invitation.”
The Defence Ministry organises the entire Republic Day event with a strong emphasis on security and the models representing various states are prepared by the respective cultural departments. “The MSKVIB only requested information about the ‘honey village’ concept, which was provided. Based on that information, the state cultural department is preparing a model to display at the Republic Day event. After that, we have not received any further communication from other departments. I understand that it’s not practical for the Union government to invite representatives from every state, given that models from each state are on display,” he added.
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In what can be a consolation for the residents of the village, Sathe said, “I have informed the villagers of Manghar that I can attempt to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi if they would like to share their experiences about establishing their village as the country’s first ‘honey village’.”
Manghar has transformed into a tourist destination, attracting over 1,00,000 visitors each year since the launch of the ‘honey village’. This influx of tourism has significantly increased the income of the local villagers. A committee of villagers, formed by the Directorate of Beekeeping Industry, established stalls that sold products worth Rs 3 lakh in the past year.
Shashikala Chorge, who began beekeeping and honey collection, said, “I started beekeeping after receiving proper training from the Directorate of Beekeeping. I was thrilled to bring accolades to the Manghar village by participating in the initiative to make it the first ‘honey village.’ This recognition is now gaining international attention through the Republic Day event. I wanted to experience the praise for the ‘honey village at such a significant occasion and hoped to share my experiences with everyone, but unfortunately, we were not invited.”
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/maharashtra-honey-village-republic-day-event-manghar-invitation-9791180/lite/
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