Various Schools, Colleges, Offices, Associations of Kolhapur city organized functions to mark Yashwantrao Chavan’s birth centenary.
A function was organized paying tribute to former Deputy Prime Minister and Maharashtra’s first Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan and to mark the his birth centenary at Mahanagarpalika’s Chh. Tararani Sabhagruh where Sou. Kadambari Kawale adorned photo of Y.B. Chauhan with garlands of flowers. Here, Research and Development Officer Umakant Kambale, Tejashree Shinde, Sou. Vidya Gadgade, Vidyadhar Bange, other important officials and workers were present.
Shivaji University: A function was organized on the instructions given by Dr. Sadanand More at Shivaji University to adore Yashwantrao Chavan. Chancellor N. J. Powar shared few words on contribution of Y.B. Chauhan and his photo was adorned. At this function, a book written by Dr. Prakash Dukale named ‘Yashwantrao Chavan: Man and Writer’ was launched by the hands of Dr. Sadanand More. The presentation was done by Dr. Bharti Patil and Thanksgiving was done by Dr. D.V. Mule. The event was anchored by Shitija Taashi.
Another functions were organized at Krantijyoti Mahatma Phule High-School, Dadasaheb Magdum Highschool, Khadi Gramodyog Sangh.
Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan (12 March 1913 – 25 November 1984) was the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra after the division of Bombay State and the fifth Deputy Prime Minister of India. He was a strong Congress leader, Cooperative leader, social activist and writer. He was popularly known as Leader of Common People. He advocated socialist democracy in his speeches and articles and was instrumental in establishing co-operatives in Maharashtra for the betterment of the farmers.
The legendary leader was born in a peasant family on 12 March 1913 in the village of Devrashtre in Satara District (now in Sangli District) of Maharashtra State in India. He lost his father in his early childhood and was brought up by his uncle and mother. His mother gave him valuable lessons in self-dependency and patriotism. From his childhood he was fascinated by the freedom struggle of India.
Despite the adverse family situation, Yashwantrao managed to get educated and obtained his B.A. in history and political science from Bombay University in 1938. He was involved in many social activities and 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 1942, he married Venutai at Phaltan in Dist Satara.
