LIVE: Maharashtra CM discusses state’s problems with students, gets innovative ideas from them

The Transform Maharashtra conference will see college students making presentations on drought and corruption in the state

On Maharashtra Day, the state hopes to get solutions to some of its critical problems, such as drought and corruption, during a marathon brainstorming sessions at the ‘Transform Maharashtra’ conference at the National Sports Club of India in Worli.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at the ‘Transform Maharashtra’ conference at the National Sports Club of India in Worli on Monday. (Pratham Gokhale)

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will hear the recommendations of college students who have been working on these problems for the past four months. As many as 11,500 students had sent their solutions to the CM in groups of six.

Groups were shortlisted through a screening mechanism. About 8,000 students will present their ideas today. A panel of judges will select the best solution to each of the 11 problems, which the Maharashtra government has promised to implement.

Students of IIT-Bombay tell us how a ‘drought-free Maharashtra’ can be achieved. (Pratham Gokhale)

This is the first time that the state has asked students to come up with innovative and practical solution to issues.

Empowering the urban poor, making Maharashtra drought-free, bridging the digital divide, promoting start-ups, developing sustainable and liveable cities, creating a swachh Maharashtra, improving mobility in cities, bringing about a ‘zero-corruption’ state, engaging citizens in governance, expediting justice through technology and reforming rural education are some of the issues that the chief minister plans to address, said Nidhi Kamdar, officer on special duty to the chief minister.

Students cheer on their friends at the event. (Pratham Ghokale)

Eminent guest speakers such as Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata group, Bhavish Aggarwal, Ola CEO, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and western command head of the Army Major General Anuj Mathur will attend the session.