The Maharashtra government has made a significant move to revitalize children's festivities by approving a substantial Rs 2 crore budget for the redesign and expansion of the Chacha Nehru Bal Mahotsav. This allocation marks one of the largest financial commitments to the annual event named after India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Transforming Festival Structure
In a major departure from tradition, the festival will undergo a complete structural transformation. Previously conducted as separate events across all districts and divisions, the celebration will now be consolidated into a single state-level extravaganza. The proposal received official clearance from the Women and Child Development Department, which is currently headed by NCP minister Aditi Tatkare.
According to government officials familiar with the restructuring plans, the revised format will bring together the six divisional events at one central venue, effectively elevating the festival to a genuine state-level celebration. This consolidation aims to create a more impactful and unified experience for all participants.
Empowering Marginalized Children
The primary objective behind this significant restructuring is to provide a broader platform for children, with particular emphasis on those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The revamped festival specifically targets children residing in government and non-government child-care institutions, orphans, and children undergoing rehabilitation programs.
An official involved in the planning process explained that the new approach will showcase talents and abilities of these children on a much larger stage than previously available. Additionally, the unified celebration seeks to foster a sense of camaraderie and unity among participants coming from diverse regions across Maharashtra.
Political Context and Constitutional Celebrations
This announcement emerges against the backdrop of ongoing political discussions surrounding Nehru's legacy in Mumbai. The controversy gained attention last month when the city Congress party criticized the BJP-led state government for naming the upcoming Metro Line 3 station simply as "Science Centre" instead of "Nehru Science Centre" - the name by which the Worli landmark has been known for decades.
Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant had previously accused the ruling party of intentionally omitting Nehru's name, citing similar instances where institutions named after the first Prime Minister underwent name changes, including the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in Delhi.
In a separate but related development, the state government has also approved funding for constitutional awareness initiatives. Under the Constitution Amrit Mahotsav – Ghar Ghar Samvidhan campaign, each district will receive Rs 3 lakh to mark 75 years of the Indian Constitution.
This program, scheduled to run from November 26 to January 26, 2026, will focus on awareness drives concerning constitutional rights and duties, with special attention given to marginalized communities. The funding distribution includes Rs 2 lakh allocated to the Assistant Commissioner (Social Welfare) in every district and Rs 1 lakh to the District Social Welfare Officer in each Zilla Parishad.
Officials confirmed that the funds will be disbursed immediately to ensure preparations can commence without any delays, reflecting the government's commitment to both children's development and constitutional awareness.
