580 Katkari Tribals from 34 hamlets in Mulshi Receive Scheduled Tribe Certificates; Community Achievers Felicitated

Pune, 28th October 2026: Education, awareness and self-reliance are essential for the development of tribal communities, while their progress must be measured not merely by economic advancement but also by their ability to live with dignity and stand on an equal footing with others, said Bhaiyyaji Joshi, member of the All India Executive Committee of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Speaking at a programme organised at the Hutatma Nagya Mahadu Katkari Community Development Centre in Male village of Mulshi taluka, Joshi emphasised the need for tribal communities to remain educated, organised and vigilant. Only when we ensure our own safety can our society and country remain safe. Everyone, from urban centres and villages to those living in remote hilly areas, must remain vigilant and fulfil their responsibility to protect themselves, society and the nation,” Joshi opined.

Girish Kuber, member of the All India Executive Committee of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Suresh Gurav, Suresh Kulkarni, Dashrath Panmand, Joint Director at the Tribal Development Commissionerate in Nashik, Suhas Lunkad, Vartika Bhatewara of Rohan Federation which is working on holistic development of Katkari Tribals in Mulshi Taluka, Sagar Katkar former member of the Zilla Parishad Pune Sagar Katkar were present on the occasion.

The program saw the distribution of Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates to 580 members of the Katkari community from 34 tribal hamlets in Mulshi taluka. Students, women and other members of the community were also felicitated for their achievements. Ravindra Bhurkunde, the first PhD holder from the Katkari community, was felicitated at the event for his academic achievement. He earned his doctorate from the University of Mumbai for his research on the Katkari community in modern Maharashtra, focusing on its historical study.

Joshi further said that the genuine development went beyond financial progress and involved building a society in which people could earn respect, preserve their dignity and participate on an equal footing with others.

“Money can also be earned through wrongful means, but respect and dignity can be achieved only by following the right path. Society must remain organised, educated and aware. Education is everyone’s right, and communities must ensure that schools and the education system are strengthened,” he said.

He also emphasised that tribal communities have the first right to the natural resources provided by nature.

Girish Kuber, member of the All India Executive Committee of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, highlighted the importance of protecting land, forests and traditional rights to ensure the sustainable development of tribal communities. He said it was essential for tribal and forest-dwelling communities, whose population is estimated at around 100 million, to secure land ownership and safeguard their traditional rights.

“The objective of service should not be limited to providing assistance. It should be to empower these communities to become self-reliant and stand on their own feet with self-respect and dignity,” Kuber said.

The programme was jointly organised by Janjati Kalyan Ashram, Mulshi; the Sub-Divisional Officer’s Office, Maval-Mulshi; the Tehsildar’s Office, Mulshi; the Integrated Tribal Development Project, Ghodegaon; the Mulshi Panchayat Samiti; and Pune-based Rohan Federation. Hundreds of Katkari community members attended the event with their families.

Sagar Katkar delivered the introductory remarks, Vaishali Namjoshi proposed the vote of thanks, and Rajesh Marne compered the program.