Nagpur, India: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) celebrated its 74th Foundation Day with great enthusiasm, marking the start of its 75th year, which is being commemorated as the Amrit Mahotsav. During the event, NMC Commissioner and Administrator Dr. Abhijit Chaudhary encouraged the administration to embrace new technologies for a more efficient and citizen-centered governance system.

At the celebrations held at the NMC headquarters, Dr. Chaudhary emphasized the vital role of municipal corporations in providing essential services to citizens throughout their lives. Reflecting on NMC's history since its founding on March 2, 1951, he noted the civic body's unwavering commitment to public service for 74 years. He also recognized the significant contributions of past leaders, such as Barrister Seshrao Wankhede, the first mayor of NMC, and Devendra Fadnavis, who served as mayor twice before becoming the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Additional Commissioners Anchal Goyal and Ajay Charathankar, Chief Engineer Leena Upadhye, Corporation Secretary Dr. Ranjana Lade, Chief Accounts and Finance Officer Sadashiv Shelke, and Deputy Commissioners Vijaya Bankar, Vijay Deshmukh, Vinod Jadhav, Milind Meshram, Prakash Varade, Ganesh Rathod, and Ashok Garate. Senior municipal officials such as Superintendent Engineer Manoj Talewar and Education Officer Sadhana Sayam were also present.

Paving the Path for Future Development

Dr. Chaudhary outlined the city’s progress in various areas, including physical, social, cultural, and environmental development. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, emphasizing that Nagpur would be a key “growth engine” in this process. He also highlighted the importance of enhancing NMC’s financial strength by exploring new revenue sources and implementing a strategic plan for the future.

He further emphasized the importance of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies into administrative processes. He also highlighted the need for training municipal employees to strengthen capacity building. As part of the Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, he assured that the construction of the new town hall would be completed soon. Additionally, he urged each department to undertake at least one citizen-centric initiative during the year-long celebration.

Commemorating NMC’s Legacy

The event started with floral tributes being paid to the statue of Barrister Seshrao Wankhede, followed by a tree plantation drive to commemorate NMC’s milestone. The celebration also featured the release of balloons as a symbol of happiness. Students from NMC’s Jayatala School sang a welcome song, and girls from Nari Marathi School showcased the traditional ‘Mangala Gauri’ dance.

In a public speech, environmentalist Kaustubh Chatterjee from Green Vigil shared insights on the role of citizens in supporting NMC’s initiatives. He emphasized the importance of community participation in governance and praised NMC’s efforts in promoting environmental sustainability.

The event also included an orchestra performance by the ‘Saaj’ group, during which Deputy Commissioner Vijay Deshmukh and Additional Medical Health Officer Dr. Narendra Bahirwar performed songs. As a gesture of appreciation, Dr. Bahirwar presented Commissioner Dr. Chaudhary with a self-created portrait of the NMC headquarters.

As NMC enters its 75th year, the civic body aims to combine tradition with innovation, focusing on creating a more efficient and citizen-centric administration for the residents of Nagpur.