The Aryavarth Express
Davos (Switzerland):
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis received a warm welcome from the Marathi-speaking community upon his arrival in Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. The global summit will focus on discussions surrounding international economic growth and cooperation.
CM Fadnavis began his five-day visit with his arrival in Zurich and later reached Davos, where he was greeted by members of the Marathi diaspora along with India’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Mridul Kumar. Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu also met the Chief Minister and congratulated him on the recent success of the ruling alliance in the Maharashtra municipal elections—a topic that featured prominently in his interactions throughout the day.
At a welcome programme organised by the Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal, Fadnavis spoke about the state government’s plan to establish the Maha-NRI Forum, an initiative aimed at strengthening engagement with the global Marathi community.
“The foundation of real progress lies in preserving our cultural heritage,” Fadnavis said. “Economic and material growth naturally follows cultural strength. We are working on ambitious and concrete plans for Mumbai’s development, and within the next five years, the city will rank among the world’s most advanced urban centres, even surpassing capitals of developed nations.”
Highlighting the global footprint of Maharashtrians, the Chief Minister noted that the community is known worldwide for its diligence and reliability. “Wherever they go, Maharashtrians progress with distinction. Their hard work and trustworthiness are a matter of pride for all of us,” he added.
The event also drew attention to educational and cultural efforts by the diaspora. Amol Savarkar, Coordinator of the International Marathi Forum, shared that Marathi language classes have been introduced in several schools across Switzerland. Fadnavis praised the initiative, underlining the importance of preserving the Marathi language and cultural identity for future generations.
The reception concluded with traditional customs, including the ovalan ceremony and the singing of the Maharashtra State Song, setting a cultural tone as Maharashtra prepares to participate in global economic discussions at Davos.
