PUNE, 22 August 2025: In a landmark event held at the Council Hall, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Finance and Planning Ajit Pawar inaugurated a series of new educational and social initiatives by the Pune Zilla Parishad on Friday, August 22, 2025. The program witnessed the presence of senior government officials, education officers, teachers, parents, and students from across the district.
The highlight of the program was the launch of the Cycle Bank initiative, which seeks to support girls from remote villages who struggle to reach schools located far from their homes.
With over 13,000 cycles needed across 804 schools, donations from citizens, companies like HDFC and Cybage, and employee associations have already provided over 4,000 bicycles. The initiative aims to ensure regular school attendance, reduce travel time, and give girls greater confidence and safety.
Alongside this, Pawar inaugurated the STEM on Wheels project, a mobile science and skill-training bus designed to bring hands-on learning in technology and innovation to rural students from Grade 5 onwards. This program is supported by CSR partners and NGOs, ensuring that advanced learning resources reach even the most remote areas.
The Zilla Parishad also launched the Room to Read program to build a strong reading culture among primary students, and 16 digital classrooms under the state-supported Smart Classroom initiative across different talukas. Each digital centre has modern facilities including desktops, smart boards, and learning software, ensuring rural children receive quality digital education.
In addition, Force Motors donated a school bus for cluster schools, Hyundai Motors supported the installation of water purification systems in 108 schools in Maval taluka, and appointment letters were given to 25 Kaushalya Fellows who will assist in education and social initiatives across the district.
CSR agreements with Cybage and Sagramitra were also formalized, focusing on school digitization, kitchen gardens, and waste management projects.
Another important announcement was the progress under the Single Women Initiative, with nearly 96,000 widowed and deserted women registered across Pune’s 13 blocks. The program will provide them with support in documentation, skill training, and income generation activities to strengthen their social and economic position.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar praised the efforts of Pune Zilla Parishad and its CEO, Gajanan Patil, stating that the district administration’s efficient and organized approach has made large-scale rural development possible. He expressed confidence that these initiatives would not only improve education and health facilities but also empower women and bring long-term social change in rural Pune.
