Flooded Nepal, safe return: Marathi connect powers pilgrims’ safe return Nagpur: A coordinated rescue operation involving Marathi-speaking political and administrative contacts across multiple states and international borders successfully brought home 104 pilgrims stranded in flood-ravaged Nepal. The effort began after a distress call from Kathmandu reached Nagpur MLA Pravin Datke, who promptly escalated the matter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his office. This triggered a multi-state, cross-border initiative that relied heavily on the shared linguistic and cultural ties of Marathi-speaking individuals to bridge communication gaps and ensure seamless coordination. The operation unfolded rapidly. Datke, speaking to The Times of India, explained that once the chief minister’s office (CMO) received the call, it contacted Nepal MP Sandeep Rana. Manoj Munde, associated with the CM’s office at Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi, played a key role in initial coordination. Within minutes, contacts were established in Nepal, and arrangements were made for the pilgrims’ safe movement. The Marathi connection proved critical at every stage, from the initial outreach to the final return to Nagpur. In Nepal, the rescue effort was further facilitated by a Marathi-speaking aide of Sandeep Rana, who eased communication and coordination. Former Nagpur mayor and BJP city chief Dayashankar Tiwari highlighted the significance of this linguistic link, noting that it allowed for efficient problem-solving and decision-making. The pilgrims, after being stranded due to flood damage to key roads and disrupted travel routes, were eventually moved through Bihar, where another key Marathi connection emerged.#devendra_fadnavis #dayashankar_tiwari #pravin_datke #sandeep_rana #manoj_munde
