39 mins ago
Aga Khan V Meets Maharashtra Leaders on Development Partnership
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V visited Maharashtra and met the governor and chief minister.
They talked about ways to work together to improve people’s lives.
Their topics included health, schools, homes, jobs and protecting communities from climate change.
This was his first official visit to India since becoming the Ismaili Muslims’ Imam.
His organization, the Aga Khan Development Network, already runs many programmes in India.
In Mira Bhayandar, one housing project saved energy and water by improving existing buildings.
Other projects help homes stay cooler and restore old community ponds.
The organization also supports students and tribal communities in Maharashtra.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V met Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai.
The discussions covered climate resilience, habitat, education, health, livelihoods and other development priorities.
The visit was Aga Khan V’s first official trip to India since becoming the Ismaili Muslims’ hereditary Imam in February 2025.
The Aga Khan Development Network serves more than nine million people in India through development, health, education and climate-related programmes.
Projects in Maharashtra include green-building retrofits, heat-reduction measures, pond restoration, tribal livelihood support and climate planning.
- Who
- Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
- What
- They discussed strengthening cooperation between the Ismaili Imamat, the Aga Khan Development Network and the Maharashtra government.
- Where
- Mumbai, including meetings at Lok Bhavan and with the Maharashtra chief minister.
- When
- On Sunday, during Aga Khan V’s six-day visit to India; he became Imam in February 2025.
- Why
- To explore collaboration on climate resilience, habitat, education, health, livelihoods and other development priorities.
Key facts
- Aga Khan’s role
- 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network.
- India visit
- First official visit to India since becoming Imam in February 2025.
- People served
- Ismaili Imamat institutions and AKDN programmes serve more than nine million people in India.
- Nav Yuwan Housing Society
- A 280-home complex in Mira Bhayandar retrofitted rather than demolished and rebuilt.
- Green retrofit results
- The project reportedly achieved 41% energy savings, 35% water savings and 59% material efficiency.
- Bavkhals mapped
- More than 600 traditional community ponds have been mapped in Vasai-Virar.
- Aga Khan Schools
- Schools in Maharashtra serve around 2,260 students.
Quotes
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V
The 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network
“I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with the Honourable Chief Minister and for the continued cooperation between the Government of Maharashtra, the Ismaili Imamat, and the Aga Khan Development Network. We look forward to building on this partnership and exploring further opportunities to contribute to improving the quality of life and creating opportunities for people across the state.”
freepressjournal.in







