Gujarat CM Patel felicitates pioneers at Ratnasinhji Mahida memorial awards

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday presented the Ratnasinhji Mahida Memorial Awards, a prestigious honor named in memory of the renowned educationist Ratnasinhji Mahida, affectionately called the "Lion of Narmada" for his contributions to the upliftment of the tribal community. The event, held in Rajpipla, celebrated the achievements of two eminent personalities—Professor Madhukar Padvi and Professor S Prasanna Sree—for their pioneering work in the field of education and language preservation.
The awards were presented to Professor Madhukar Padvi, the first Vice Chancellor of Birsa Munda Tribal University in Rajpipla, and Professor S Prasanna Sree, a professor of English at Andhra University. Sree, internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work, is celebrated as the first woman to have developed scripts for over 19 tribal languages, an endeavor that has had a profound impact on preserving the heritage of India's tribal communities.The awards were jointly established by Ratnasinhji Mahida's granddaughter, Virajkumari Mahida, and Manvendrasinh Gohil, the royal scion of Rajpipla, with the intention of honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the tribal community. These awards serve as a tribute to Mahida's lifelong commitment to education and his selfless efforts in promoting the welfare of tribal people.
Speaking on the occassion, Professor Prasanna Sree shared the significance of language in preserving culture and promoting knowledge. She said, “Knowledge is power, doubtlessly language is the key to acquire knowledge. There is no acquisition or dissemination of knowledge without language. Languages hold our stories, traditions, and unique ways of understanding the world.” Emphasizing the role of language in safeguarding heritage, she added, “When a language has no script, its survival is at risk. This is why I dedicated myself to developing scripts for 19 tribal languages, not just to document words, but to preserve heritage, culture, and diversity for future generations.”

મુખ્યમંત્રી શ્રી ભૂપેન્દ્રભાઈ પટેલના વરદ્હસ્તે આજે નર્મદા જિલ્લાના રાજપીપળા ખાતે પ્રતિષ્ઠિત સમાજ સુધારક અને શિક્ષણવિદ્ એવા સ્વ.રત્નસિંહજી મહીડાના સન્માનમાં રત્નસિંહજી મહીડા મેમોરિયલ એવોર્ડનો પ્રારંભ કરવામાં આવ્યો હતો તેમજ આદિવાસી સમાજ અને સંસ્કૃતિ માટે પ્રોત્સાહક કામગીરી કરનાર… pic.twitter.com/YK6S5wCaJg

— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) April 12, 2025

Chief Minister Patel, in his address, paid homage to the legacy of Ratnasinhji Mahida, highlighting his tireless efforts for tribal empowerment. He said, “We remember Karmayogi Ratnasinhji Mahida, who dedicated his life to the upliftment of tribal communities. The award comes at a time when we are also celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, who worked for the tribals. This initiative will further motivate tribal empowerment and inspire the younger generation to contribute positively to their communities.”
The awards ceremony was attended by notable figures, including actor and former Member of Parliament Dr. Nitish Bharadwaj. Virajkumari Mahida spoke about her efforts to honor and carry forward the rich legacy of her grandfather, while Manvendrasinh Gohil emphasized the close relationship between the Gohil royal family and Ratnasinhji Mahida, underscoring the royal family's enduring commitment to the cause of tribal welfare. The Ratnasinhji Mahida Memorial Awards will be presented annually, with the goal of highlighting the unsung achievers from the tribal community, inspiring future generations, and reinforcing Gujarat's commitment to inclusive development.
Later in the day, CM Patel participated in a mass wedding event in Kheda district, where 151 couples were married at Chaklasi. Patel also inaugurated the newly constructed two-storey Pujya Ravishankar Maharaj Hall in Mehmadabad and other development projects worth Rs 142 crore, further demonstrating his administration's dedication to community development and welfare.