CM Fadnavis honours women at Shakti Awards, seeks Navratri blessings
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
On the auspicious fifth day of Navratri 2026, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis joined two threads of celebration — the 'We Women Want Conclave and Shakti Awards' honouring women achievers, and a devout darshan of Maa Jagdamba — across Mumbai and Nagpur on 12 October 2026.
Shakti Awards bring the spotlight to women's achievement
The 'We Women Want Conclave and Shakti Awards' served as the centrepiece of the day's events, recognising women's contributions across sectors in Maharashtra. CM Fadnavis shared glimpses of the occasion, framing it as a moment of स्त्रीशक्तीचा सन्मान — 'honouring the power of women'. The event placed women leaders at the centre of a public platform, continuing a visible tradition in Maharashtra politics of linking festive occasions to recognition of women's achievements.
Navratri darshan in the spirit of 'Bhaktibhav'
Beyond the conclave, Fadnavis described seeking the blessings of Maa Jagdamba — the divine feminine worshipped during Navratri — with भक्तिभाव आणि नवचैतन्य, meaning 'devotion and renewed energy'. Navratri, the nine-night festival dedicated to the goddess Durga and her many forms, is widely and publicly observed across Maharashtra, lending the day both a ceremonial and a deeply cultural weight. The Chief Minister's participation reflects the festival's prominent place in Maharashtra's public life.
A recurring pattern in Maharashtra's political calendar
Maharashtra's political figures have long combined Navratri participation with visible outreach on women-focused initiatives. For Fadnavis — who has served multiple terms as Chief Minister — aligning state recognition of women's contributions with the festival's celebration of the divine feminine is a consistent thread in his public calendar. Details on specific Shakti Awards recipients and any related state government policy announcements were not available at the time of publication.