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Sharad Pawar

Written By Unknown on Sunday 2 October 2011 | 05:30

Sharad Pawar

The National political leader who helped rapidly shape the all-round development of modern Maharashtra


From Konkan to Vidharbha, from North Maharashtra to West Maharashtra, from the villages to the Secretariat and the focus of talk in the corridors of Delhi politics, Sharad Pawar is the quintessence political leadership.

After Yashwantrao Chavan, Sharad Pawar is recognized as the next best known political figure from the State of Maharashtra. Born in a farming community in Baramati taluka at Katewadi, his political journey from here to becoming the Chief Minister of the State and holding several portfolios at the Centre, he is certainly an inspiration to many.

His political and social affinity is said to have come from his mother, Sharada Pawar, who was politically active in Pune prior to Independence. During the Sanyukta Maharashtra struggle, she hosted many a respected figure which may have influenced Sharad Pawar at the time.

His schooling was in a school run by Maharashtra Education Society. His success in debates / oratory; his initiative in organizing sports / outdoor / activities; his participation in the Goa Liberation Movement were all the early indicators of his formative leadership. He even held the post of General Secretary at Brihan Maharashtra Commerce College (BMCC) and represented the Student leadership at the college and university level. It was here that his association with the Youth Congress began and made an entry into party politics. The architect of modern Maharashtra, Yashwantrao Chavan, was his political mentor. Yashwantrao Chavan had recognized his leadership potential and consequentially Sharad Pawar’s journey included being the Head of the Youth Congress and part of the Pradesh Congress committee in the State. During this period, on his extensive tours of the State, he not only established contact with the common man but also with the respected people in the various fields of literature, arts, sports, social work and business.

Sharad Pawar became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) at the young age of 27 in the year 1967. He became a Minister in the year 1974 and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra in 1978. He held this post for varying periods thereafter in 1988, 1990 and 1993. He, later, went on to become the Defence Minister at the Centre. Today, as the founder and President of the Nationalist Congress Party, he holds the Agriculture portfolio at the Centre.

Focused effort, perseverance, in-depth planning, discipline, ability to endure criticism and far-sightedness were some of his qualities that he displayed in his political journey of the past 40-45 years. Able administration, contact with the common man, flair for picking leaders among men, his direct interaction with the work-force are the qualities that characterize his political persona. From time-time, he has graduated people, based on their potential and propensity, into the National league. Dilip Walse-Patil, R. R.Patil, Jayant Patil, Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule are some examples of such people who stand out from Maharashtra.

Increase in pension pay for retired defence officers, orchard development scheme, development of co-operatives in the State, development of the sugar industry, the relief work during the Killari earthquake, his stance and decisions on reservations and empowerment for women, his policy and decision on under-privileged social sectors are some of the highlights of his political career.

He has always represented his home constituency of Baramati in Pune district in the Lok Sabha and in the State Legislative Assembly and has contributed to the development of the area through institutions like Baramati M.I.D.C., Vidya Prathisthan (an education institute), Krishi Vikas Prathisthan (Agricultural Development Institute) and Sharadabai Pawar College of Education.

His other interests has also seen him hold important positions in other fields like the President of the Rayat Shikshan Sanstha (an institution that professed welfare and happiness of the masses through education) and President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Katewadi te Mantralay, Sharad Pawar aani Me (by N. D. Manohar), Aamhi Pahilele Sharad Pawar (edited by Arun Shevte) are some of the books that attempt to unravel the personality of Sharad Pawar. May his political regime continue to be as successful as it has been in the past that has earned him the epithet of Jaanta Raja (the wise emperor).
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