Maharashtra Gaurav Awards Celebrates State's Achievements; Riteish Deshmukh Honoured

Mumbai — The second Maharashtra Gaurav Awards ceremony, organised by Zee 24 Taas, took place at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, drawing together notable figures from politics, arts, business, and civil society to recognise contributions to the state's development and cultural heritage.

The event brought together leaders and changemakers working across entertainment, sports, social development, governance, and business sectors. Prominent dignitaries in attendance included Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Bollywood-Marathi actor Riteish Deshmukh.

A significant moment during the evening featured Chief Minister Fadnavis in conversation with Kamlesh Sutar, Editor of Zee 24 Taas. The discussion covered governance approaches, political landscape, public safety, educational reforms, and the state's development trajectory. The conversation also included lighter moments in an interactive rapid-fire segment.

The gathering included Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Chairman Siddhesh Kadam, Essel/Zee Group Chairman Dr. Subhash Chandra, and several state legislators including Ravindra Chavan, Prasad Lad, and Ameet Satam. Also present were Harshvardhan Patil, former state minister and Chancellor of Pimpri Chinchwad University, and Rubal Agrawal, Divisional Commissioner for the Konkan-Mumbai region and Managing Director of Maha Mumbai Metro.

Recognition went to actress Girija Oak Godbole, actor Sachin Kumavat, and athlete Siddhesh Lokare for their achievements in their respective fields. The programme featured performances and appearances by actress-dancer Sharvari Jamenis, actress Hemal Ingle, and actors Abhijeet Khandkekar and Pushkar Jog.

Upon receiving his honour, Riteish Deshmukh expressed his appreciation, stating: "It is truly special to be recognised on a platform that celebrates the spirit of Maharashtra and the people contributing towards its growth and culture. Awards like these encourage individuals across fields to continue striving for excellence and inspire future generations."

Chief Minister Fadnavis remarked on the occasion, "Maharashtra has always been home to extraordinary talent, innovation, and leadership across sectors. Platforms like Maharashtra Gaurav Awards play an important role in recognising individuals and organisations whose contributions are positively impacting society and strengthening the state's progress and identity."

The event drew participation from business leaders, creative professionals, government officials, and social entrepreneurs. Through this second edition, Zee 24 Taas demonstrated its commitment to documenting and celebrating excellence across Maharashtra's diverse sectors.