Devendra Fadnavis Highlights Role of MKCL in Bridging Digital Divide at Silver Jubilee Foundation Day

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was the chief guest at the Silver Jubilee Foundation Day ceremony of Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL) held in Pune. The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Higher & Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar, MLA Dilip Walse Patil, MKCL Chairman and renowned nuclear scientist Dr. Anil Kakodkar, MKCL Managing Director Sameer Pandey, along with several other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Fadnavis lauded MKCL for its pioneering work in reducing digital inequality over the last 25 years. He said that while the internet wave connected the world, MKCL ensured that technology reached the common people of Maharashtra by building a network of over 6,500 entrepreneurs across the state. 

“Because of MKCL, even the last person in society has been able to access digital facilities,” he remarked. The Chief Minister emphasized that in today’s era, where artificial intelligence (AI), data, and quantum computing pose new challenges, it is vital to prepare the youth to adapt and lead. 

“Maharashtra is already the data center capital of India, holding nearly 65% of the country’s data center capacity. In the coming years, we must lead not only in information technology but also in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and quantum computing. 

MKCL should take the initiative in this direction and ensure these benefits reach society at large,” he said. Highlighting MKCL’s contributions, CM Fadnavis noted that the organization has consistently worked with a long-term vision, focusing on inclusivity rather than short-term gains. 

He praised the corporation for launching projects that improved administrative efficiency and transparency and for introducing a new website with access to 50,000 books online, thereby fostering knowledge accessibility.

“Employment opportunities are changing with technology, and the state government will extend full support to initiatives that create skilled manpower. As MKCL has transformed lives in the past 25 years, it now has the responsibility to build a new generation that can embrace the challenges of the next 25 years,” Fadnavis added.

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Ministers Chandrakant Patil and Ashish Shelar, along with Dr. Anil Kakodkar and Sameer Pandey, also shared their thoughts on MKCL’s journey and future roadmap.