Mumbai University to set up Balasaheb Thackeray centre

The state government has decided to set up ‘Late Balasaheb Thackeray’ study centre at Mumbai University. Education minister Vinod Tawde said the study centre is being started so that Mr Thackeray’s literature reaches maximum students from the new generation.

The state government has tabled supplementary demands, through which the government seeks approval for expenditure for which no provision was made in the budget. In the supplementary demands, the government has sought the legislature’s approval for Rs 1 crore grant-in-aid to Mumbai university for establishment of Late Balasaheb Thackeray study centre.

“An additional outlay of Rs 1 crore is made available for this purpose during the current financial year which is now required to be budgeted. Therefore, a supplementary demand of ' one crore is being presented for making necessary provision and to bring the expenditure to the notice of the legislature,” government has said in the supplementary demands, which will be discussed in both the houses of state legislature next week.

Further explaining the rationale behind the decision, the education minister said, “Balasaheb’s literature is inspirational even today.”

“The study centre has been set up so that his literature provide guidance to the future generation and it reaches maximum people,” he added.

K. Venkatramani, former principal Somaiya College and former registrar of University of Mumbai said it was a welcome decision.

“The Chair will give wide scope for scholars to pursue research in the field of Ancient Indian Culture and strengthen cultural link between regional languages,” he said.

The Shiv Sena had demanded to set up such a Chair in Mumbai University. Minister of state for higher and technical education and Shiv Sena leader Ravindra Waikar had submitted a detailed report on this to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.