Rahul Gandhi felicitates Warli artist; Maha CM announces land

Palghar (Maha), Jan 29 (PTI) It was a promise made by hislate grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in 1976to grant land to an artist who had impressed her.

Today, during his whirlwind tour of tribal Thanedistrict, AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, on a three-dayMaharashtra visit, felicitated Warli painter and Padma Shriwinner Jivya Soma Mashe.

Rahul met the 80-year-old Jivya in Palghar at afelicitation function attended by Chief Minister PrithvirajChavan, who announced that the state government will hand over58 ''gunthas'' of land to the artist.

Revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat had yesterday signedthe necessary papers, paving way for Mashe to get the land inhis district. Mashe had so far failed in his efforts to askthe state government to release the land.

Rahul also addressed a convention of tribals and spoke onorganisational elections and need for youth to join politics.