Maharashtra is a state in the western region of India. State day is observed on 1st May. The official language is Marathi. State symbols of Maharashtra: Animal is Indian Giant Squirrel, Bird is Yellow is footed Green Pigeon, Tree is Mango, Flower is Lagerstroemia, Dance is Lavani , and Sport is Kabaddi. The economy of Maharashtra is driven by international trade, Mass Media (television, motion pictures, video games, and recorded music), aerospace, technology, petroleum, fashion, apparel, and tourism. Mumbai, the capital of state and the financial capital of India, houses the headquarters of most of the major corporate, financial institutions and the Indian entertainment industry (Bollywood), with many films, television series, books, and other media being set here. Famous athletes like Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Dhanraj Pillay belongs from Maharashtra.
Education Status
According to the Census 2011, Maharashtra has a literacy rate of 82.91% (male literacy rate 89.53% and female literacy rate 75.48%).
Maharashtra has 24 universities with a turnout of 160,000 Graduates every year. The University of Mumbai is the largest university in the world in terms of the number of graduates and has 141 affiliated colleges. People like, Jyotirao Phule, Scottish missionary John Wilson, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Dhondo Keshav Karve and Bhaurao Patil played a leading role in the setting up of modern schools and colleges in the state. The Deccan College Post-Graduate & Research Institute was established in 1821. The Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University, the oldest women's liberal arts college in South Asia, started its journey in 1916. College of Engineering Pune, established in 1854, is the third oldest college in Asia.