Baramati marked a significant milestone on Sunday with the inauguration of the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, a facility that reflects veteran leader **Sharad Pawar’s long-standing emphasis on education-led development and institution building.
The centre was inaugurated by industrialist Gautam Adani and has been established under Vidya Pratishthan, an educational trust associated with the Pawar family. Designed as a hub for advanced research, training, and innovation in artificial intelligence, the facility aims to equip students and professionals with skills relevant to a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Senior leaders, including Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and Sunetra Pawar, attended the event, underscoring the importance of the initiative for the region and beyond. Baramati, long known for its strong educational institutions and cooperative movement, is now being positioned as a centre for emerging technologies.
Speaking at the inauguration, Gautam Adani described Sharad Pawar as a mentor of over three decades and credited him with shaping Baramati through sustained focus on education, rural development, and entrepreneurship. He said the new AI centre carries forward Pawar’s belief that institutions, not individuals alone, drive lasting change.
Adani highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping economies, governance, and daily life, and said India must build its own AI capabilities to remain competitive and self-reliant. He urged young Indians to lead innovation by developing indigenous models, data systems, and digital infrastructure rather than relying heavily on imported technologies.
The Centre of Excellence is expected to promote advanced AI research, skill development, and industry-oriented training, with an emphasis on practical applications that can address real-world challenges. It is also expected to open new opportunities for students from rural and semi-urban backgrounds, bridging the gap between local talent and global technology trends.
The inauguration of the AI centre adds a new chapter to Sharad Pawar’s legacy in Baramati, reinforcing his vision of blending education, technology, and inclusive growth to prepare future generations for the challenges and opportunities of a digital India.
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