Mumbai, Oct 8, 2016: A MaharashtraNet broadband network, inspired by the Centre's 'BharatNet', will be set up in Maharashtra to ensure online healthcare and education facilities to people in the remotest villages, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said here on Saturday.

Through MaharashtraNet, the government plans to usher in a digital revolution in the state and further reduce the urban-rural divide, he said.

He was speaking at a function to honour 109 top state teachers with the 'Adarsh Shikshak' and 'Savitribai Phule Adarsh Shikshika' awards, including 38 primary teachers, 39 secondary, two of arts and sports, two scouts-guides. The list also has 19 tribal, one physically challenged and eight women teachers.

Fadnavis said the has catapulted to the third position in academic excellence in the past one year due to good education and best teachers.

"We have 40,000 tech-savvy teachers in the state and many educational apps have been developed to help the students. We hope that Maharashtra will soon become the education leader in the country," said Fadnavis.

Education Minister Vinod Tawde, MP Arvind Sawant, legislators Raj Purohit and Rahul Narvekar, Education Principal Secretary Nand Lal and other officials were present on the occasion.

The women teachers honoured with the 'Savitribai Phule Adarsh Shikshika' award include Smita S. Malavade, Sandhya S. Kulkarni, Vandana B. Theng, Sumitra S. Yesane, Sarla S. Kame, Chandrakala S. Deshmukh, Shubhra S. Roy and Vaishali S. Dhakulkar.

Rehman A. Atikur bagged the award in the handicapped category, Satish V. Kolhe and Radha M. Murkute in the scouts-guides category and Pramod B. Patil and Sanjay K. Patole in the arts/sports category. (IANS)