Pune, 22 July 2025: In view of the increasing competition in every field and the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), students must focus more on skill-based learning while pursuing their education, said Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
He was speaking at a felicitation ceremony organized at the Badminton Hall of Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Mahalunge-Balewadi. The event honored students who passed their SSC and HSC exams from the Baner, Balewadi, Sus, and Mahalunge areas. Additionally, over 5,000 students from Pune Municipal Corporation schools received educational kits.
“Considering the growing use of artificial intelligence across sectors, school students should not ignore it and must study AI. The state government has made a substantial financial provision for skill development and AI training,” Pawar said.
He also emphasized the evolving nature of education and stated that the government is actively working to provide students with training that matches modern requirements. Highlighting the government’s commitment to sports, he announced that a proposal worth ₹25 crore for pending projects in the sports department had been approved immediately.
The event saw the presence of several dignitaries including State Assembly Deputy Speaker Anna Bansode, event organizer and Kabaddi Association functionary Baburao Chandere, Sports Commissioner Sheetal Teli-Ugale, NCP city vice-president Rahul Balwadkar, NCP Youth Wing city president Sameer Chandere, and others. Parents and local residents attended the event in large numbers.