Jagarnath Mahto, the Education Minister of Jharkhand, passed away at 56

The education minister of Jharkhand, Jagarnath Mahto, passed away on Thursday morning, April 6th, 2023, at MGM Healthcare in Chennai, India. He was 56 years old.

Background

Mahto was a senior leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a political party in the state of Jharkhand, India. He was appointed as the education minister of Jharkhand in December 2019, following the victory of the JMM in the state assembly elections. Prior to that, he had served as the president of the JMM’s youth wing and was also a member of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly.

Early Life of Jagarnath Mahto

Jagarnath Mahto was born on 17th March 1967 in a village in Giridih district. He completed his graduation from S.S.L.N.T. College in Garhwa and went on to obtain a degree in law from Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University. Mahto joined the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in 1985 and became an active member of the party’s youth wing. He was first elected as an MLA from the Dumri constituency in 2005 and was re-elected in 2014 and 2019.

During his political career, Mahto held several important positions. He was the Deputy Speaker of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly from 2019 to 2020 and was appointed as the Education Minister in December 2020 after the cabinet reshuffle. Mahto was known for his dedication and hard work toward the betterment of the education sector in Jharkhand.

Political Career

Mahto’s political career started in 1994 when he was elected as a member of the Khunti Zila Parishad. He went on to become the vice-president of the Zila Parishad and was later elected as the president of the Khunti district unit of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a regional political party in Jharkhand. In 2009, he was elected to the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly from the Torpa constituency.

Mahto was known for his commitment to public service and his focus on education. In 2019, he was appointed as the Education Minister of Jharkhand. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to improve the quality of education in the state. He launched several initiatives, including the Mukhya Mantri Shikshak Samman Yojana, which aimed to motivate teachers to improve the quality of education in government schools.

Legacy

Jagarnath Mahto’s passing has been a huge loss to the people of Jharkhand, especially to those who knew him personally and those who had benefited from his work. Mahto was a man of integrity and a true leader who dedicated his life to serving the people.

Mahto’s contributions to the field of education will be remembered for years to come. His work in improving the quality of education in government schools has had a significant impact on the lives of many children in Jharkhand. His legacy will continue through the initiatives he launched and the work he inspired others to do.

Contributions to Education Sector

As the Education Minister of Jharkhand, Jagarnath Mahto played a vital role in implementing several important reforms in the education sector. He worked towards improving the quality of education and infrastructure in government schools and colleges. Mahto was instrumental in launching the “Mukhya Mantri Shiksha Mission” scheme, which aimed to provide free education to girls up to the graduation level. He also launched the “Jharkhand Career Portal,” which aimed to provide career guidance to students.

1. Strengthening the Infrastructure: One of the major issues faced by the education sector in Jharkhand was the lack of proper infrastructure in schools and colleges. To address this issue, Jagarnath Mahto sanctioned several projects to construct new buildings and repair existing ones. He also allocated funds for the installation of basic amenities such as toilets, drinking water facilities, and electricity in schools and colleges.
2. Promoting Digital Education: Jagarnath Mahto understood the importance of technology in modern-day education and launched several initiatives to promote digital education. Under his leadership, the state government introduced e-learning portals and distributed laptops to students from economically weaker sections to facilitate their online education.
3. Encouraging Skill Development: Jagarnath Mahto recognized the importance of skill development in the current job market and launched several programs to encourage students to acquire vocational skills. He also initiated collaborations with industries and training institutes to provide students with practical training and employment opportunities.
4. Focusing on Quality Education: Jagarnath Mahto was a strong advocate of quality education and implemented several measures to improve the quality of education in the state. He introduced regular assessments and evaluations of students and teachers to ensure that the learning outcomes are in line with the desired standards. He also implemented strict measures to curb malpractices in examinations and ensured that the education system is transparent and fair.
5. Enhancing the Education Budget: Jagarnath Mahto recognized that adequate funding is crucial for the growth of the education sector and increased the budget allocated for education in the state. He also launched several programs to attract private investment in the education sector to supplement the government’s efforts.

Illness and Death

Mahto had been undergoing treatment at the Chennai Apollo Hospital since March 14, 2023, following complications from a lung transplant surgery he had undergone in November 2020 after suffering from Covid-19. On April 6, 2023, he passed away at MGM Healthcare in Chennai due to a multi-organ failure.

Reactions

The passing of Jagarnath Mahto has been widely mourned by his colleagues, friends, and the people of Jharkhand. The chief minister and JMM working president Hemant Soren called it an “irreparable loss” and expressed his condolences to Mahto’s family. The JMM also announced two days of state mourning in honor of Mahto.

Conclusion

Jharkhand education minister Jagarnath Mahto’s passing has left a void in the state’s political landscape. His contributions to the education sector in Jharkhand will be remembered, and his passing has been deeply mourned by the people of Jharkhand. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

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