Mumbai, Sept 13 (PTI) Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Sunday met Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, and discussed a host of issues, including environmental protection and livelihood development.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan said that the AKDN has been working on a Climate Action Plan for cities and implementing innovative cooling solutions in cities and towns in Maharashtra, which have brought substantial benefits to local communities, according to an official release.
He said AKDN would be happy to work closely with universities in Maharashtra on environmental protection, climate action and related issues. He told the governor that AKDN is already undertaking initiatives in Pune, Mira-Bhayandar, Chandrapur and other places focusing on climate action, reduction of emissions and cooling solutions, the release said.
The spiritual leader also spoke about AKDN’s work in reviving ponds and water bodies in Vasai, which has helped in improving groundwater levels. He said the AKDN was committed to bringing relief to people affected by rising temperatures and global warming and to improving the quality of life of communities.
He also informed the governor that AKDN has undertaken micro-forest initiatives at thousands of locations. He suggested that similar initiatives could be explored in universities and educational institutions across Maharashtra. He also briefed the governor about the Aga Khan Academy in Hyderabad as well as AKDN’s initiatives in the fields of music and literature.
The governor expressed the desire for the AKDN to also explore opportunities for collaboration in livelihood development, particularly in tribal and rural areas of Maharashtra. He said partnerships in education, environment, climate action and livelihood generation could create meaningful and lasting benefits for the people of the state.
During the meeting, Varma presented Prince Rahim Aga Khan with a special photo album containing photographs of the visits of his late father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, to Maharashtra Lok Bhavan, then Raj Bhavan, on various occasions.
Deeply touched by the photographs and memories of his late father, Prince Rahim Aga Khan remarked, “This is very touching. Amazing.” This was the first official visit of Prince Rahim Aga Khan V to India since becoming Imam in February 2025, following the passing of his father Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
Aga Khan V also met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the day. He had met Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and Governor Acharya Devvrat on Saturday.
On September 10, the spiritual leader had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior national leaders to discuss the long-standing partnership between the Ismaili Imamat, AKDN and India. PTI PR NR
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