Today we remember the man who built the foundations of the strong Maharashtra.
Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan, popularly called "YB" (12 March 1913 - 25 November 1984) was the first Chief Minister of Independent Maharashtra after the division of Bombay State. A man with a strong personality, he established the Cooperatives, and further enhanced his stature as a social activist and writer.
Widely known as "Leader of Common People", he advocated socialist democracy in his speeches and articles. His concept of establishing the co-operatives in Maharashtra for the betterment of the farmers led to the rise of agricultural production in the State.
YB obtained his B.A. in history and political science from Bombay University in 1938. During this time, he was closely associated with the Congress party and its leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Keshavrao Jedhe. In 1940, Yashwantrao became President of Satara District Congress. In 1941 he passed his LLB. In 1932, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for hoisting the Indian flag on 26 January 1932 in Satara. He was a delegate to the historic Bombay session of the A.I.C.C. in 1942 that gave the call for Quit India and was subsequently arrested for his participation in the movement.
This first Chief Minister of Maharashtra, also served as a cabinet minister in the Central Government of India heading the portfolios of Home, Defence, Finance and External Affairs and went on to become the Deputy Prime Minister of India. One of the most outstanding features of his career was that he never lost an election.
YB contested from varied constituencies like Karad, Satara & Nasik, mostly from the Congress Party and once from the Congress (S) party. But he never lost the trust of the people that he represented. A personal aspect of his nature, not widely known outside his close circle of friends was his deep love for his wife, Venutai; whom he married in 1942. He always called Venutai his best friend, soul-mate and source of his strength to overcome all obstacles. The death of his wife broke the spirit of this strong man and he was not able to survive this loss beyond a few months.
Yashwantrao Chavan died of a heart attack on 25 November 1984 in Delhi. He was 71. We salute this stalwart on his birthday today, 12th March.
मन मनास उमगत नाही, आधार कसा शोधावा?
Widely known as "Leader of Common People", he advocated socialist democracy in his speeches and articles. His concept of establishing the co-operatives in Maharashtra for the betterment of the farmers led to the rise of agricultural production in the State.
YB obtained his B.A. in history and political science from Bombay University in 1938. During this time, he was closely associated with the Congress party and its leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Keshavrao Jedhe. In 1940, Yashwantrao became President of Satara District Congress. In 1941 he passed his LLB. In 1932, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for hoisting the Indian flag on 26 January 1932 in Satara. He was a delegate to the historic Bombay session of the A.I.C.C. in 1942 that gave the call for Quit India and was subsequently arrested for his participation in the movement.
This first Chief Minister of Maharashtra, also served as a cabinet minister in the Central Government of India heading the portfolios of Home, Defence, Finance and External Affairs and went on to become the Deputy Prime Minister of India. One of the most outstanding features of his career was that he never lost an election.
YB contested from varied constituencies like Karad, Satara & Nasik, mostly from the Congress Party and once from the Congress (S) party. But he never lost the trust of the people that he represented. A personal aspect of his nature, not widely known outside his close circle of friends was his deep love for his wife, Venutai; whom he married in 1942. He always called Venutai his best friend, soul-mate and source of his strength to overcome all obstacles. The death of his wife broke the spirit of this strong man and he was not able to survive this loss beyond a few months.
Yashwantrao Chavan died of a heart attack on 25 November 1984 in Delhi. He was 71. We salute this stalwart on his birthday today, 12th March.
मन मनास उमगत नाही, आधार कसा शोधावा?
