Vol. 1 | Issue no. 11 | March 2012 | `50 | pages 68 Maharashtra ahead

The Architect of Modern Maharashtra Zero Hour Exactly at the stroke of the midnight hour the Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru pushes a button to unveil a illuminated map of Maharashtra that casts its glow over the new State just born. Looking on are the Chief Minister Shri Yashwantrao Chavan and the Governor Shri Prakash, and the artistes.

Sketch by M. R. Achrekar The Treasure of Rich Legacy

The birth centenary year of Yashwantrao Chavan, the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra, is beginning from 13th March 2012. In this commemorative year, the only befitting tribute to the architect of the progressive State would be to remember his good deeds and get re-inspired by his philosophy that he had put into practice in his life time so as to progress on his footsteps. This special issue of ‘Maharashtra Ahead’ is one of the initiatives taken up by the Government of Maharashtra to mark the centenary. Credit for the issue must go to the Chief Minister Shri Prithviraj Chavan. It could not have been possible without his encouragement. Much has been written about Yashwantraoji and yet re-evaluation of his achievements and reinterpretation of his words give us different perspective and renews our bliss every time we read his speeches. It is said that the career of visionaries is always ages ahead. And literature published in the issue bears testimony to this. Yashwantraoji had the multi-faceted personality - a successful leader with foresight, a social reformer, a think tank, an orator, a literature, an aficionado, an able administrator, an excellent Parliamentarian etc. Born in the family of a farmer from Devrashtre, a remote village in Maharashtra he went on to become the Deputy Prime Minister of India to prove the mettle of citizen of Maharashtra. It was in Yashwantraoji Maharashtra proudly witnessed a son of its soil who got the highest honour in the politics of India, years after Mahadji Shinde. It can never be denied that the development of Maharashtra and its reputation the progressive State is based on the politically matured ideologies of the Yashwantraoji. Impact of his towering personality and thoughts is felt in different spheres of life such as education, cooperation, science, technology, arts, literature etc. Landmark institutes named after Yashwantraoji such as, the Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration - Yashada in Pune, the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University in Nashik and the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan in Mumbai stand as guiding star for the coming generations. Yashwantraoji, an icon of the cultured leader, has left a rich legacy for Maharashtra’s generations to come which will rejuvenate us on our way to better future and will continue to guide Maharashtra as well as India in the future. Even as we have strived for the best bringing out this issue, we still feel it could have been yet better for there is always an opportunity for the best. Articles of Yashwantraoji’s long-time associates, veteran writers and his erstwhile friends garnished this issue and we are sure our readers will cherish it. Renowned painter Smt. Chandrakala Kadam has adorned the cover and inside pages of the issue. Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan is amongst the others who contributed in the making of this issue by providing us some rare photographs and vital references. All the writers have devoted their valuable time scripting their articles. We thank one and all.

Pramod T. Nalawade Editor-in-Chief, ‘Maharashtra Ahead’, DGIPR

March 2012 3 Contents Maharashtra ahead VOL.1 ISSUE NO.11 MARCH 2012 `50

Editor-in-Chief Pramod T. Nalawade

Managing Editor Pralhad Jadhav

Team Maharashtra Ahead Suresh Wandile Kirti Pande Kriti Lalla Sales and Circulation Digamber Palve 43 Vilas Bodke Produced by ?? Navbharat Press Ltd. 11 The Taskmaster Director Operations: D.B. Sharma 15 The Troubleshooter Project Management Team G.M. Operations: A. Shrinivas 18 Landmarks in the Life of A.G.M. Manager: Dalvinder Singh Shri Y.B. Chavan Dy. Manager: Ashok Shirke 20 My Mentor, My Rolemodel Editorial Coordinator: Sudhir Brahme 23 Pioneer of Decentralised Prepress 11 Sr. Prepress Manager: Sachin Phulpagar Power Art 24 My Friend, My Guide Art Director: Mahesh Jadhav 26 Shadow of Sahyadri Maharashtra Ahead is printed on behalf of the Directorate General of Information and Public 28 My Guide, My Pride Relations, Government of Maharashtra, at Photo-biography Navbharat Press Ltd 30

Navbharat Bhavan, 38 More of a Statesman Plot no. 13, Sector 8, Than a Politician Sanpada (East), 47 Navi Mumbai 400 706. 39 Common Man’s Leader Published by Pramod T. Nalawade at Mantralaya, 41 A Leader with a Difference Mumbai-400032 43 The Man of Principles Letters should be addressed to Directorate General of Information and Public 45 The Pioneer in Many Ways Relations, New Administrative Building, 17th Floor, 47 An Able Administrator Opposite Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032. Email: [email protected] 49 An Ideological Friend Please visit the website http://dgipr.maharashtra.gov.in 51 An Intellectual Statesman 54 54 Yashwantrao Chavan and the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement 58 Yashwantrao’s Contribution as a Statesman Directorate General of Information 61 My Ideology and Public Relations A Government of Maharashtra Production 64 Political Administrator Par Excellence 58

Pls note: The views expressed by the writers are their own Maharashtra Ahead The Leader Above All Yashwantrao Chavan was a fine blend of rare qualities that made him a leader of high stature The highest qualities such as a friend of all, a strategist, a bureaucrat, able administrator, an orator, a philosopher, balanced politician, connoisseur of arts, aficionado of literature, a litterateur himself and a thorough gentleman became identity of Yashwantrao Chavan, says the Chief Minister, Prithviraj Chavan

"For the people, of the people, by the people", as the democracy is often described, is the formal definition because it does not precisely connote the system of governance. I would say that democracy in administra- tion means the governance in the consultation with each others. To me the real democracy is the system where peoples' representatives come together and think over citizens' common issues with open mind. I don't at all approve with the meaning of democracy as merely a system of governance." - Yashwantrao Chavan

ashwantrao Chavan has aptly welfare of the people. People are these adjectives used to describe his underlined the importance of the leaders. He is always called personality are true, however are not Ydemocracy in the beginning the architect of modern Maharashtra, enough for his personality. He was of this article. He knew that every the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra, multi-faceted, multi-dimensional. He decision in the democratic system the connoisseur of literature and was the leader above all. A leader of his is citizen-centric and for the music, the philosopher etc. All stature is rare.

March 2012 5 Maharashtra Ahead

Fundamental Thought the medium for politics and literature is Revolution that facilitated human life. Yashwantrao was the scholar of the same - words. Politicians and writers This revolution has changed the point political science and administration. belong to the same fraternity, he used to of view of the Western people. It is the He had studied different administrative say. Krushnakath and Runanubandh, science that gave the courage to man systems very well. He was of the opinion two of his autobiographic books bear even after the devastation of two world that political science is a social science the testimony of his literary quality. He wars; it created ambitious thoughts of and hence is flexible to change. We are often used to contribute for newspapers landing on the Moon and conquering living in the world that is changing and and special Diwali issues of literary space above the Earth, he has stated. social life also changes, this fact has to magazines. And he had carved out his He stressed on the need to explain be considered, this was his thought. He niche readership through that. the values of science by educating had deep trust in the Parliamentarian All India Marathi Literature people. The young generation should be Democracy India has adopted. Conventions, other literary events and inspired by intellectuals and inculcate He had thought of administration musical soirees always used to be on values of science in them. This should fundamentally. His simple ideology was the priority list of his agenda. He would take the shape of a movement. If this that the governance and administration make a point to attend concerts of happens the dreams of the coming are two different things. They have classical music,­­ popular Marathi plays generations will be better and more their own strengths. Administration despite his busy schedule. He used to be glorious than that of ours, he stated. means political system. It is one side of amongst the people as one of them and Pro-science atmosphere would help governance. It's other side is political. If the real connoisseur; and never as the us create new nation sans various there is good coordination then people political leader. isms and discrimination towards each are satisfied. But he knew that peoples' Languages prosper on the thought other such as regionalism, casteism contentment is altogether a different expressed in it. Thoughts expressed by etc. Yashwantrao's thoughts are very thing. Therefore, he took the firm folk arts come right from the root of the relevant for us even today. stand that political democracy should heart, he was of the opinion. Hence he go hand in hand with the social and had very high respect for the folk art. Visionary Leader economic democracy to make it the real He could corroborate the view giving To be a political leader Yashwantrao democracy. relevant quotations from various books. was brought up in the atmosphere He has stated that if political He was of the firm belief that literature of struggle of Indian Independence. democracy gives equal opportunity to is not at all for entertainment. It is for His political career groomed in the all, then every citizen should get equal the enlightenment of human society, days of some landmark political opportunity in social and economic he once said in one of the literary events and Gandhism, Satyagrah, fields alongwith the political rights. If conventions. Disobedience Movement. Russian democracy is confined to right to vote Revolution also had a great influence then it will ruin the society, he used Rational Thinker on his personality. Pandit Jawaharlal to think. His thoughts are very much Yashwantrao was the rational thinker. Nehru on one hand and Mahatma pertinent even today. He used to say it His thoughts had scientific base. Gandhi on the other hand were the jokingly that if ministers are trained to Science should help people overcome leaders of his time from whom he learnt say 'No' and bureaucrats to say 'Yes', all calamities. It should also lend more a lot. It won't be impertinent to say that questions will be solved. strength to human being through the qualities of both leaders shaped Every citizen will get the benefits of research and innovative technologies. Yashwantrao's personality. democracy only when the democracy On these two aspects science should Yashwantrao's real inspiration was is strengthened by all means. And if be propagated. The later was much Gandhiji's Disobedience Movement. this happens, the society as a whole important he was of the view. Hatred for the British Rule and quest is strong. In such a society everybody The basic nature of science for the Freedom got germinated in this is independent and the whole society complements logic and rational atmosphere. Indians' sentiments were is intellectually free. Today when thinking. This thought should get with Gandhiji. Panditji's views were government and administrators percolated to the commonest of the inclined towards Socialism, the base are bearing the wrath of media common man to develop modern was the Russian Revolution. During the Yashwantrao's thoughts need to be society. Only then the conventionally transformation from the foreign rule considered. obsolete thoughts and superstitions to the home rule i.e. the Independence will get eliminated from the society. Yashwantrao was graduating. He Literary Connoisseur The soon this happens the faster we collected every minute details of the Yashwantrao had a rare quality of a will grow as the developed nation, time. He was aware of the social and political leader and the connoisseur of Yashwantrao used to say. political changes in India and abroad. literature who had trust in the strength He would then give examples from Therefore it could be said that Gandhiji and beauty of word. He believed that the Western countries like the Industrial laid the foundation of Yashwantrao's

6 March 2012 political education and thinking while Nehru led his politic maturity.

Bilingual State and Yashwantrao Formation of the Unified Maharashtra led Yashwantrao's career to the peak. At the time of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement a report on the restructuring of States came out. The report advocated the concept of balanced bilingual State. Yashwantrao firmly opposed the findings of the report. However, as an obedient party man he had to take up the responsibility to implement the report by taking over the reins as the Chief Minister of the bilingual Mumbai State, not before registering his views on unilingual State. This showed the stuff he was made of. Even as he was a loyal Congressman he dared to vent out his views publicly that were not in tandem with the stand taken by the party. On one hand he was with the people of Maharashtra on the other hand he preferred to abide by the party directives in the larger come to unveil the statue of Chhatrapati Development Corporation. He made interest for never ever in his political Shivaji Maharaj. fruitful efforts to generate employment career he shirked the responsibility Finally the day came. On 1st May in rural areas. He set up the Irrigation given to him. 1960 the Sun dawned on the Samyukta Commission to streamline growth of Many alternatives came forward to Maharashtra. Panditji consented agriculture sector. He also established resolve the matter and he stood firm on to the demand of Maharashtra and Farming Corporation. In the interests his stand of the Unified Maharashtra Yashwantraoji came from Delhi with of the small farmers he promulgated convincing the party bigwigs of the the Mangal Kalash of Samyukta the Land Ceiling Act. Education was yet general sentiments of the people of Maharashtra. The new State came into another sector on his priority list. He set Maharashtra. While leading bilingual existence. The then Prime Minister up Maharashtra Literature and Culture State concept of unilingual State was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru came to Board. He made earnest appeal to all to always in his mind, he has explained. inaugurate it. cooperatively work for the betterment I was determined to run the bilingual In his first speech as the first Chief of the new State. State in the larger interest of the nation Minister of Maharashtra that is today, As with a little twist a Kaleidoscope to see if the experiment could succeed. Yashwantraoji said: The days of ordeal changes the images, you change of the people of Maharashtra have your view looking at Yashwantrao's Architect of Unified come to an end. Now we can expect personality and there is a different Maharashtra stability. People can look at their dimension to it. The highest qualities When Nehru was on Mumbai tour development and they could face such as a friend of all, a strategist, Yashwantrao had a detailed discussion whatever comes in their stride. It is right a bureaucrat, able administrator, with him on the bilingual State. He to expect now that we can have a better an orator, a philosopher balanced apprised Nehru on the experiment future. I would feel honoured if I could politician, connoisseur of arts, saying that even though he was leading bring people closer to the fulfilment of aficionado of literature, a litterateur the bilingual State peoples' sentiments their expectations. himself became identity of Yashwantrao were not in favour. This experiment On taking the reins he dedicated Chavan. Credit for Maharashtras' would not succeed, he opined. After this himself to the development of the State. development in last half century that Nehru turned in favour of the unilingual He personally took up the responsibility has helped the State carved out its own State. He had experienced the feelings of the ministry of industries and niche, definitely goes to the vision of of the people at Pratapgad when he had established the Maharashtra Industrial Yashwantrao Chavan. 

March 2012 7 Maharashtra Ahead The Visionary Leader It is an appropriate time to bring his thoughts and contributions before all especially the youth. Yashwantrao had envisaged a civilized prosperous and secular Maharashtra. His ambition was to see Maharashtra shine on the horizons of the world as the most progressive State. He took every decision with a view to speeding up the progress and strengthening the common man. His ultimate aim was to safeguard the interests of the people of Maharashtra, says the Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar

e all have love, reverence and own niche in the hearts of the citizens shine on the horizons of the world as high respect for Yashwantrao of India by his performance during the the most progressive State. He took WChavan, the first Chief period that deserved him the Deputy every decision with a view to speeding Minister of Maharashtra and the Prime Minister's post. Maharashtra up the progress and strengthening the architect of modern Maharashtra. The is proud to see the most able Deputy common man. His ultimate aim was to progressive Maharashtra that we see Prime Minister in Yashwantraoji, the safeguard the interests of the people of today is the result of his prudence and first person from the State to be adorned Maharashtra. the perfect decisions during his tenure. with the honour. He was very much convinced with He proved his mettle as the national He had envisaged a civilized, the future prospects of Maharashtra. leader time and again when he was in prosperous and secular Maharashtra. He guided the progress of the State in the Central ministry. He carved out his His ambition was to see Maharashtra the fields of agriculture, education,

8 March 2012 economics, industries, culture etc. Even respect for them. Metaphors used for time guided the social and political as his involvement in social and political these leaders were Himalaya - Nehru system. He was the politician above the fields is prominent, his contribution and Sahyadri - Yashwantrao. Hence politics. in literature, arts, sports and culture Yashwantrao going to Delhi in the hour With his appreciating nature he can not be undermined. Taking into of the national calamity was described picked up the best talents from every It is an appropriate time to bring his thoughts and contributions before all especially the youth. consideration the love and respect in the by political experts as Sahyadri sphere of life and brought it in the heart of every citizen of Maharashtra, joining hands with Himalaya. Nehru's mainstream so that Maharashtra could the State Government has decided invitation was considered as an honour have an all round and balanced growth. to celebrate Yashwantraoji's birth for Maharashtra. The malice and bias could be nowhere centenary between 13th March 2012 After the war with China around him. Moreover discrimination and 12th March 2013 through various Yashwantrao modernized Indian Army over the caste and creed was far, far initiatives and people's participation. in his capacity as the Defence Minister away from him. He never sacrificed the It is an appropriate time to bring his and that fetched positive results in larger interest of the nation and always thoughts and contributions before all 1971 when we fought against Pakistan. used to consider the views of opponents especially the youth and thereby make At the national level shouldering sympathetically. At times he used to them immortal. Therefore, a study responsibilities of Defence Minister, take them alongwith him. The healthy centre in the name of Yashwantraoji Foreign Affairs Minister, Home political atmosphere of cooperation is being set up in Shivaji University, among the rulers and the opponents Kolhapur. that is seen in Maharashtra is the Yashwantraoji's entire life is inheritance of Yashwantrao. inspiring. Born in the family of a farmer The formation of the State of from village Devrashtre of Sangli Maharashtra is the real pride for us. district, he was a staunch patriot ever The movement for the demand of since he was a student. After completing the State is the glorious history. his primary education he went to Karad The martyrdom of 105 can never be for further education. Still in his teen, forgotten for without their sacrifice as a student of Tilak High School, he the Maharashtra that is today unfurled India's national flag which could not have come into existence. was an offence in the then British Raj Yashwantraoji's role as the activist, the and was sent to jail for 18 months. mediator, the leader and the visionary Having completed his Matriculation is very significant for it was he who he got law degree in Pune and started convinced the leaders in Delhi. He his career as lawyer in 1942 in Karad. kept the balance. He ably conveyed the Mahatma Gandhi had given a call sentiments of the sons of this soil to the of 'Quit India' to the then rulers and central leadership. He explained them the flame of patriotism in the heart of that Maharashtra never wanted to get Yashwantraoji got ignited. He led the Minister, Finance Minister, Chairman cut off, but to continue in the national freedom movement in Karad district. of the Finance Commission and the mainstream. As it is said that all is well His second arrest earned him two years Leader of the Opposition, he proved his that ends well, so all the bitterness of imprisonment. He was then a 'just mettle. He has put his indelible mark the times of the Samyukta Maharashtra married'. His wife Venutai was also wherever he went and his contribution was wiped once Yashwantrao became a patriot and walking on the path of in every field can not be undermined. the Chief Minister of the State that was Yashwantraoji, she too was sent to jail. Therefore he was honoured with the demanded by the people of the land. As Yashwantrao had a great most deserving post of the Deputy His plans for the progressive foresight, he was also a patriot from Prime Minister. The stature of the post Maharashtra were fixed, focussed the core of his heart and he always had really got elevated with the leader like and very well-designed. Soon after the larger interest of the nation in his Yashwantrao adorning it. holding the reins of the State he took mind. His response to Pandit Nehru's Yashwantrao had a multi-faceted up the mission of unifying the hearts call in 1962 to leave Maharashtra to personality. He was a cultured man, a of the people from different regions be in New Delhi at the time when great thinker, a litterateur, a bureaucrat, with different geographical conditions China had invaded Indian territory a politician with patience, the ruler who and cultures like Konkan, Khandesh, only corroborates this quality. Nehru respected the opponents, a leader of Western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Chavan were both leaders of high the masses… He elevated the politics and Vidarbha. Knowing that major stature at their respective levels - one at in the State and earned the trust of the part of the newly formulated State was the national level the other at the State citizens of the nation. He facilitated the predominantly agrarian, he promoted at the time. People had earned lot of development in the State at the same agriculture while running the State

March 2012 9 Maharashtra Ahead

administration. His emphasis was on decisions. His ambitious projects leader shone at the time of this calamity, the cooperative sector. For the all round include Koyana and Ujani dams, one of the worst tragedies in the history growth he also gave equal prominence university in Kolhapur; the agricultural of Maharashtra. to the industrial sector. Creating universities; the Marathi literary This does not take away the credit employment in the rural areas was his and cultural board and the Marathi of Yashwantrao's mother Vithabai yet another priority. Encyclopedia Board. and wife Venutai in his life. Vithabai's He saw to it that the democracy He promoted culture, literature, contribution in developing this great should percolate to the grassroot level. arts and folk culture. He pushed the leader and Venutai's able support to Therefore, to reach out to the rural thought of secular society and tried to Yashwantrao at every stage in his life people and to facilitate them to get eliminate caste system from the mind can not be undermined. the benefits of the democratic system of people. He aimed at developing the Yashwantrao's greatness is he decentralize the system by giving State on the foundation of the principles reminiscent in every thing that he did. the required rights to the people by of equality, fraternity and freedom so He lent Maharashtra many occasions to streamlining the local self-government that every citizen in Maharashtra gets feel proud of. We are fortunate to have bodies of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat social justice. This gradually resulted the person like him as our leader. A Samiti and Zilla Parishad. This in the modern and progressive State of beginner in the politics and an activist created a good path for the peoples' Maharashtra. in social life like me Yashwantrao was representatives in the Legislative Even in anguish, despair and ordeals the real Guru. He is my inspiration. I Assembly. This also made the system of in his personal life, such as the loss of always remember him in distress and decision-making more people-oriented. near and dears he did not over-indulged despair. His memories inspire me. He declared Marathi as the State in that but kept peoples' issues on the He is a guide for me. We are trying to language. Yashwantrao always used to top of his agenda. He was the first take forward his legacy. Yashwantrao keep peoples' interest in the mind. He person to rush to wipe out the tears had dreamt of making Maharashtra introduced new Kul Kayada that gave of the ill-fated people of Panshet and the most developed State in the world; rights to the real farmers. The small Khadakwasala who became homeless and to make his dream a reality is the farmers became the big beneficiaries. when the dam burst swept away all that responsibility of all of us for that would He started the Five-year Plan of the they had earned in life. Yashwantrao's be the real tribute to this towering State. These are some of his landmark quality as an able administrator and the personality. 

10 March 2012 The Taskmaster Chavan brought Maharashtra to the forefront and also encompassed the ordinary folk to become a part of the democracy He was a great political leader, an able administrator and an efficient parliamentarian. He always stood for principles of democracy, secularism and socialism. As a leader he tried to give justice to all sections of the people. He concentrated his efforts for the fulfilment of the needs of the common man. His distinctive approach to maintain a good bond with all sections of the society, was unique. He was popular in the class of writers, poets and artists. He was titled as the ‘Man of Crisis’. the direct defence preparedness. The handling of the Report on the debacle in NEFA popularly known as the Henderson-Brookes Report was a challenge that he ably faced in the Par- liament. The Ministry of Defence An- nual Report of 1964-65 heralded the changes that were put into practice that year as a result of the China war. For the first time there was to be a defence plan to be implanted over a period of five years. The plan included ‘strengthening the defence production base to eventu- ally meet the requirements of arms and ammunition and improving the fields of procurement, storage, training etc.

Monitoring the East Border with Prime Minister Pandit Nehru Strengthening the Army As the Defence Minister he promot- s Chief Minister of the new Ma- of the announcement of the unilateral ed the growth in the defence field. harashtra, Yashwantrao Chavan cease-fire and withdrawal of the Army Chavan strengthened the military in- Asuccessfully managed to lead by China was a surprise and the unusual telligence away from Intelligence bu- the State in a progressive manner. Cha- beginning in the career of Chavan. reau. In search of arms he visited van, with his dynamism and pragmatic The atmosphere of suspicion, dis- countries like the USA, the UK and approach, laid the solid foundation of trust and lack of communication result- the USSR which also marked the turn- agricultural and industrial transforma- ed into chaos. He started the practice of ing point in India’s foreign relations. tion in Maharashtra. He played an im- morning briefing with a view to having His hard work in the defence ministry perative role in the social and cultural constant communication. He expanded gave an edge to Indian military force to spheres of Maharashtra. and reorganized the Armed Forces as meet the Pakistani aggression in Chavan’s stature rose immensely well as modernized their equipment. He 1965. He allowed the army officers to when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Ne- kept a close contact with the three Chiefs work with full strength without undue hru especially called him to assume the of the Army. He succeeded in bringing interference. Defence Minister’s post in the Centre back the confidence of the Army per- Success of Chavan’s leadership leaving behind his chief ministership sonnel skillfully organizing the ministry manifested itself in the Indo-Pakistan as China had declared war against In- and the armed forces. When he followed war of 1965. Pakistan launched a mas- dia. He took over the charge on 21st a strategy of the defence of the country sive attack on India on 3rd September, November 1962 at a time when the In- he was equally aware of the fact that, a 1965 sending infiltrators (Mujahids) dian Army was facing a major debacle developing economy would certainly into Kashmir. When Pakistan’s army in the North-east of India. The decision add some new points of strain, even for marched into the Chamba sector of

March 2012 11 Maharashtra Ahead

seven leaders gave up the idea of self- immolation. Chavan faced a police revolt in 1967 in which the police surround- ed his house in Delhi. He understood the serious situation in the absence of the Prime Minister and settled their demands. Later the commission was ap- pointed to examine the policemen’s is- sues and agreed some of their demands. After the elections of the 1967 the political complexion of India changed. The State Governments run by the dif- Yashwantrao Chavan and Smt. Indira Gandhi - at 31st convention of UNO, 4 November 1976 ferent political parties with different Jammu and penetrated into the Indian took over the home ministry the wide ideologies came into existence that dis- Territory, India was prepared for the at- spread student unrest, the fast of Jagat- turbed the relations between the Centre tack. The Indian forces had crossed the guru Sankaracharya of Puri in support and the State. The role of home minister border in the Lahore sector. of the demand of the Sadhus for the of the Congress party was crucial in the General Chowdhary had advised of ban on cow-slaughter. Sant Fateh Singh management of the Center-State rela- this action and counter move to save and eight other Sikh leaders had threat- tions. His speeches in the Parliament the ‘life-line of Kashmir’ from being ened to self-immolate for the support of regarding many constitutional matters throttled and choked and he expected Punjab’s claim for Chandigad had made established him as a Parliamentarian. Chavan’s approval immediately. Cha- the situation critical. The National Stu- He also faced the main controversy van stood firmly behind him. The Chief dents March was organized by the Sama- over the role of the governors in the of the Army Staff and the Chief of Air jwadi Yuvajanasabha controlled by the State. He faced the political instabil- Staff informed him that the Air Force SSP. The organizers concentrated their ity, dissolution of legislatures; imposi- should go for the action. When he was efforts particularly in Uttar Pradesh to tion of President’s rule on the different assured about the immediate attack mobilize students for the demonstra- states. He was answerable to the Parlia- from his chiefs he ordered them, ‘Go tion. The government took the strict ment and the people on different mat- ahead’. Having studied the situation he measures in the form of police posting ters. When India faced Political defec- was convinced that there was no other at railway stations, bus terminals, Par- tions that led to the fall of the some of go, he took the decision on his own as he liament House and the area around the the State Governments he analyzed the was left with no time to consult Prime Delhi campus. This prevented the wide- democratic challenge in his report. The Minister Lalbahadur Shastri. However, spread agitation of the students in Delhi. preparation of a report on defections later when he reported Shastriji, the Chavan handled the problem with was an important achievement. As a later backed Chavan’s decision. This de- humanism. Jagatguru Sankaracharya of Union Home Minister, Chavan had to cision had strengthened India’s position Puri, one of the five Jagatgurus began a deal with the Princes, whose purses and over the Pakistani forces and brought fast unto death in a temple on the banks privileges were to be dispensed with. ultimate victory. of the river Yamuna in Delhi to force the While finding the solutions for the Government to accept the principle that law and order problems he tried to un- Major Crisis Averted the slaughter of cows should be banned. derstand the fundamental causes of the He was appointed as the Home Minister After consulting Prime Minister, Cha- problems. He was of view that the po- of India in November 1966. At that time, van had taken Jagatguru out of Delhi to lice force could be used in the necessity, the agitation of the Sadhus demanding avoid further trouble. He was shifted to but mere police force could not provide a ban on cow-slaughter, had sparked off Pondicherry and after moving to Puri all solutions. Thus, as a home minister, disturbances in Delhi. The tension in was released after some time. Chavan he handled many critical situations ef- the capital forced the Prime Minister to defended the Government’s action in fectively. change the leadership in the home de- the Parliament. The cabinet announced partment. Prime Minister Indira Gan- the appointment of the commission and The Budget Master dhi had chosen Chavan in the place of the issue was forgotten after the general He worked as the Finance Minister of Gulzarilal Nanda as a home minister in elections of 1967. India from June 1970 to October 1974. the matter of crisis. Chavan handled the Chavan asked Sardar Hukum Singh, When Chavan resumed office of the Fi- situation carefully and had shown his the speaker of the Lok Sabha, to handle nance Ministry he faced challenges like ability in this critical situation. the issue of Sant Fateh Singh tactfully. shortage of raw materials, high prices 1966 was the year of Hindu revival- The Akali Dal finally accepted the pro- of the essential commodities, acute ism, regionalism and political confusion posals made by Sardar Hukum Singh drought conditions. The stabilization in the history of India. When Chavan and the Sant broke his fast while the of prices was the most important and

12 March 2012 urgent task before him. He considered of development banking was vigorously omy.” The unemployment of educated black money not only economic prob- implemented. He undertook various and technically qualified youth was not lem but social and political evil too. His measures to place the working of the only a human problem but it was an eco- strong administrative measures in the management of the nationalized banks nomic problem. process of eradication of corruption as well as the trade union movement in The loan facility, provision of the proved to be highly effective. In the pro- the banking sector on a proper footing. resources and new techniques were cess to curb the use of the black money He insisted that the banks should give adopted in the field of the Agriculture. from the country the Government had a new orientation, a new social content The government appointed a commit- appointed the Wanchoo Committee. and meaning to programme and poli- tee headed by Dr. K. N. Raj, a distin- The panel submitted its report in which cies. Chavan had encouraged the public guished economist to critically examine a set of measures to check tax evasion sector banks to have a more imaginative the structure of direct taxation in agri- and avoidance was considered. and constructive approach. culture and to suggest specific measures As the Finance Minister, Chavan pre- for the mobilization of fiscal resources sented four budgets. At the AICC meet- Democratic Socialism through taxation of income and wealth ing in Delhi, Congress adopted the ten– As the Finance Minister of India he tried in this sector. point programme. The slogan ‘Garibi to establish the concept of the Demo- As Finance Minister, his first concern Hatao’(Eradicate Poverty) was adopted cratic Socialism in the adverse economic was to make the public sector banks a by the Congress in its election campaign situations. During his tenure Govern- truly effective instrument of change and in 1971. It insisted more responsibili- ment had taken a decision to adopt the to reorient them forwards the needs of ties on the finance minister. Chavan did scheme of different rates of interests so the small man and the weaker sections. major job in holding of the price line, that loans and advances could be made The concept of the development bank- removal of inequalities and imbalances, available to the small cultivators at lower ing was initiated and vigorously imple- the extension of the public sector, step- rates and would be changed for the well- mented by the public sector banks. As ping up of the efficiency and economic to-do cultivators. As a finance minister, India’s Governor of the External Bank viability of the public sector units and the national problem of the unemploy- for Reconstruction and Development, the follow-up measures on bank nation- ment was his prime concern. He clearly the International Monetary Fund and alization. General poverty and the glar- stated that, “In the long run solution of the Asian Development Bank, he par- ing social and economic disparities and the problem of the unemployment can ticipated in international deliberations imbalances always remained one of the be found only by increasing the rate of on economic and monetary subjects in major problems for the finance minister. growth of industrialization of the econ- various parts of the world. He sought a The expectations were increased due to the promises of the politicians. He tried to reduce the dependence on the foreign aid and was selective in accept- ing the same. His views are available in the form of speeches at different meet- ings of International Monetary Fund, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank. Several measures had been taken to provide direct assistance on easier for the setting up of industrial projects in less developed areas. After the war of the Bangladesh, mil- lions of the refugees crossed over from the East Pakistan to India that affected the Indian economy. Chavan initiated measures of far–reaching significance to bring the entire field of insurance under public ownership. He also gave impetus to make the public sector bank- ing a truly effective instrument of change and to re-orient the same towards the needs of the small man and weaker sec- tions of the society. Likewise the concept Addressing at a World Bank Conference as Union Finance Minister

March 2012 13 Maharashtra Ahead

long run solution to the problem of un- Unfortunately the effective leaders like sessment. His balanced judgment in employment in the growth of the indus- Y. B. Chavan remained helpless and many national crises proved to be ef- trialization of the economy. indifferent at the time of the emergency. fective. Y. B. Chavan was the voracious After the defeat of the Indian Nation- reader. His interest in humanities had Peaceful Co-existance al Congress in the general elections held widened the horizons of his personality. Chavan was the foreign minister of in 1977, Chavan as the leader of Con- His intellectual attitude differentiates India from 1974 to 1977. As a foreign gress in the Lok Sabha was the first one him from any other political personal- minister he worked for the deliberate to be designated formally as the leader ity. His distinctive approach to under- policy of normalizing and improving of Opposition. The political future of his stand the problem with studied manner relations with all its neighbours. When prospective leadership was stated at the reveals the intellectual factor in his lead- he became foreign minister he visited international level. But his service to the ership. He was awarded with the Kelkar number of countries like Sri Lanka, nation was limited to his post as Deputy prize for his autobiography ‘Krush- Bangladesh, Yugoslavia, Guiana, Cuba, Prime Minister. He was unable to per- nakath’. He was the author of many Jamaica, Mexico, Lebanon, Egypt, form with zeal in the later period of his publications and a number of articles in Peru, etc. He clarified the role of India political career. The political situation English and Marathi. He arranged and in the different conferences of the Unit- was changed in the Indian scenario and attended many literary conferences in ed Nations. He worked hard to establish the equations for the political power for the State. His speeches reveal his broad cordial relations with the countries like Y.B. Chavan too. When he passed away vision, sensitive and constructive think- China, Pakistan and Bangladesh. He be- in 1984, he was the chairman of the ing process, and his deep concern for lieved in the promotion of the peaceful Eighth Finance Commission of India. the social, political and economic prob- co-existence and the friendly relations Throughout his career Mr. Chavan lems of India and stand as the impor- in Asia. He insisted the friendly ties with has exhibited rare courage of convic- tant documents of the Indian History. other countries not merely by political tion and an uncanny capacity for taking His literary sensibilities were reflected manner but by promoting co-operation calculated risk. He was a great politi- in his writings. His speeches, his studi- in economy, trade, technology and cul- cal leader, an able administrator and an ous nature and thorough reading of the ture. He made a number of speeches in efficient Parliamentarian. He always Indian society also exhibit his quality as the Parliament, in U.N. General Assem- stood for the principles of Democracy, a political thinker. bly in New York, academic institutions, Secularism and Socialism. As a leader Chavan proved to be one of the international conferences and semi- he tried to give justice to the all sections successful mass leaders from nars. In the United Nations he actively of the people. He concentrated his ef- Maharashtra and added new features advocated the policy of India to make forts for the fulfilment of the needs of in the areas of the leadership. The the Indian Ocean a zone of peace. the common man. His distinctive ap- striking feature of his leadership was As an External Affairs Minister, proach to maintain good bond with all his deep concern for the poverty in the Chavan stood firm for the commitment the sections of the society, was unique. society and his constructive efforts to of the Non-alignment movement as He was popular in the class of the writ- work for the common man. He was a the ideal instrument for the persever- ers, poets and artists. great visionary of the strong, indepen- ance of the independence of the newly His parliamentary career spanned dent, democratic and Socialistic India. liberated countries. He worked to nearly forty years from 1946 to 1984. He did hard-press on the importance strengthen the liberation movements He was highly effective parliamentar- of the democracy, socialism and plan- in struggle against evil factors like ian. His legislative and parliamentary ning in his tenure. He brought the imperialism, colonialism and racial- speeches show that he was not only a State in the Indian nation without any ism. India had taken initiatives for good debater, but also a mature political fissure. It did give strength to the nation the normalization of relations and the statesman. His ability to establish quick if we account for the various disruptive establishment of the peace in the sub- rapport with any one whether an officer, forces that are affecting Indian nation. continent. As a foreign minister he paid political worker, artist, businessmen or He not only brought out the Maharash- special attention to the relations with writer proved to be great asset of his tra State in the forefront but also en- China. He also observed the deteriora- distinguished personality. On the criti- compassed that ordinary folk to become tion in the Indo-Pakistan relations. He cal situation his calmness and balanced a part of this democratization. These firmly stated to the U.S. Administra- state of mind was rewarding and he was traits signify the constructive leadership tion after the U.S. decision to resume also titled as the ‘Man of Crisis’. of Yashwantrao B. Chavan. He truly the supply of arms to Pakistan and The affinity with the centre was the represented a new trend in the evo- mentioned in his letter that, “Either noteworthy quality of Y. B. Chavan. He lution of leadership in Maharashtra you are deceiving yourself or you are occupied the most important portfolios that was a broad-based and mass-ori- trying to deceive us. It is either of the of Defence, Home, Finance, and Exter- ented trend.  two”. His foreign ministry career was nal Affairs at the centre , which merit a - Dr. Bhavana Patole shadowed by the era of Emergency. more detailed recall, analysis and as- ✆ 9930532099

14 March 2012 Maharashtra's Great Leader Yashwantrao has served as the trouble-shooter for India, at every crucial juncture when India was in trouble he played stellar role. Yashwrantrao has left no property in Delhi or Mumbai. The leader who promoted cooperative sugar factories but there is no factory named after him till the date. In his State Bank account at the time of his the balance was Rs. 36 thousand.

ashwantrao first became the first chief minister of Maharashtra, Parishad, a lenient wing under the the chief minister of the the unilingual state (usually called the leadership of Shankar Rao Dev on one bilingual Mumbai State in Samyukta Maharasthra that we see hand and on the other a radical wing Y1956. The Congress party that today) in 1960. At the time the State was of Samyukta Maharshtra Samiti under elected him on the post was at the time not integrated. Vidarbha was opposed the leadership of S. A. Dange, P. K. fractioned. The Mumbai State formed to the Samyukta Maharashtra. They Atre and S. M. Joshi. Marathas were on the principle of linguistic state was wanted an independent Vidarbha. split as Bhausaheb Hiray, a stalwart un-natural and there was a natural Public ire for Samyukta Maharshtra's at the time, was by-passed. They had unrest amongst the people as it was demand had culminated in the gone against Yashwantrao for having against their will and wish. He became formation of Samyukta Maharasthra got support of Morarji Desai, who was

March 2012 13 Maharashtra Ahead

Nagpur to win over Vidarbha first and the demand for separate Vidarbha fizzled out. Like an expert chess player he had an ability of making decision at the right time. Through Nehur's mediatorship he made Kannamwar deputy chief minister and thus a strong supporter of the separate Vidarbha was brought on his side. As a result only Vidarbha stood with the Congress in the 1957 Assembly Elections even as in the rest of the state the party lost heavily. Even Yashwantrao could win by the margin of just 500 votes. He would refute at the right time to weaken opponent's stand. When G. T. Madkholkar raised a question in his editorial, 'Marathi state or Maratha state', Yashwatrao replied him strongly in a public meeting in unpopular due to the brutal stand he and affluent in Marathi literature that Nagpur and assured that "It will remain had taken against the agitators of the his keynote addresses would score over Marathi State". Samyukta Maharashtra. Yashwantrao's the Presidential speeches. It was the political inevitability that first challenge was to unite the state and Yashwanrao was the real diplomat. the leader like Yashwantrao would not establish an administrative system that As the senior leader of the party he did be in the state for a long time. Nehru would be admissible to all. not vent out his views about bilingual gave him a call on 20th November Yashwantrao was fully geared up to state's uselessness. But it would be 1962 to serve nation being in Delhi. It take up the challenge. He was groomed unfair, illogical and unjust for the leader was a critical time. Mao had betrayed up in the Independent Movement. He like Yashwantrao to say that he was not India and Nehru heart felt it. Army's had come close to the Socialist ideology aware of the fact that the bilingual state moral was down. At this juncture during his imprisonment. He has would not last longer. His statement that Yashwantrao took over the reins of the understood the importance of being Nehru was greater than Maharashtra Defense Ministry. His priority was to with the weaker sections of the society. was mistaken and misinterpreted at boost Army's morale. The first thing he His views were further matured by the that time. In the right context what he did was to have a joint meeting with all influence of the Radical Humanism meant as Nehru was not a person. He the three chiefs. He took them in faith. of the Manavendranath Roy. For could have taken Nehru as a symbol of His efforts paid off. The Indian Army Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy was yet the national leadership for he was of made all to forget the bitter memories another guiding spirit for Yashwantrao, that stature. The other side of the fact of China war and won two consecutive who later set himself on the path of first must also be considered that he would wars of 1965 and 1971 against Pakistan. Prime Minister Jawaharlas Nehru's have thought it inevitable to say so as he He deserved the credit for winning the Socialism. would convince the national leadership war not just by the virtue of being the Yashwantrao could encash on the of the importance of the unilingual state minister, but his active involvement in opportunities lost by his predecessors some time in the future moral boosting. This was made clear who had come from the larger strata of A leader could be popular by when his diary of the time got published. the society and made the best of it. His winning the hearts of the people, but Yashwantrao was constantly in touch success as the leader corroborated this. to be successful as the chief minister with the army chiefs. He was the He was well-acquainted with Indian he needs to have hold over the shrewd strategist. It was his decision to social and religious culture, history administration. Yashwantrao also had concentrate the attack on the west that as well as politics, economics etc. The this strength. He also had guts to tell changed the entire situation. highest qualities of his personality the adamant bureaucrats, when needed, Yashwantrao's leadership wrote were writing and oratory. He was well- that government was above all as they yet another chapter in the history of versed with English as well as Hindi were the peoples' representative. Indian politics when he became Foreign literature. For this he is the role model With the politeness that is rarely seen Minister. It was the time when Pakistan for all politicians, especially the young. in politicians; sweet toung, urge to and China had joined hands against He could quote Marathi litterateurs at understand the issues he could score India. Having proved his mettle in the same ease as Socrates, Aristotle, over the opponents at the last moment. the Defence ministry, when he took Tolstoy, Lasky or Mill. He was so fluent He signed the pacts of Akola and up the new responsibility, he proved

14 March 2012 his versatility and the international resigned on moral ground owing the for whom he had already lent his perspective. Yashwantrao had kept responsibility. Yashwatrao dared to step support. It was too late for Yashwantrao himself apprised of the activities going in and controlled the situation skillfully. to change his side. Syndicate bit the on all over the world, so he countered During his decade-old tenure dust. Giri was elected as the President. both the enemies by visiting Russia, at the Centre he earned credibility Indiraji grew strength in strength. She America, Japan and other developed and popularity, yet controlled the became the most powerful politician countries. His foreign tours resulted in politics of Maharashtra. Then come in the country. She took some very putting pressure on Sino-Pak nexus and the period of real turmoil in his life important progressive decisions maintaining political peace in South as well as in the party. Some senior such as nationalization of banks, Asia. With mediatorship of Maulana Congressmen as rebels against Indira abolition of remuneration to princely Azad he saw to it that the Gulf countries Gandhi formed Syndicate. In a crooked states. Yashwantrao welcomed the should not join Pakistan. move this fraction of disgruntled decisions and praised Indiraji. As she Wherever there was crisis, party men supported Sanjeev Reddy was becoming powerful, Jaiprakash Yashwantrao used to follow it and douse for the Presidential Post. Indira Narayan's Sampurna Kranti movement it.Later when he was made Finance Gandhi too supported Reddy initially. was taking momentum. Minster it was the phase of recession. His Yashwantraoji was naturally on the 5th June 1975 marked the historic emphasis in the budget was to cut down side of Indira Gandhi. Indiraji suddenly day in the history of India. Allahabad the deficit yet promote the development. changed her stand in retaliation to the High Court declared Indiraji's election His budgets were balanced. People Syndicate and brought V.V. Giri in null and void. She was also barred used to feel comfortable after the the fray. Yashwantrao's ordeal, a bad from contesting elections for six years. budget as prices of essentials were patch started from this moment and Indiraji was trapped. In the desperation controlled and tax-payers used to get continued for a long. she took the extreme decision, the worst concession. The responsibility of the Indiraji appealed all the party men of all. 25th June 1975 became the black Union Home Minister also came in his to use their discretion. Yashwantrao in the history of Indian democracy. She stride in the similar manner. In 1965 got caught in two minds - to be (on declared internal emergency. This gave Delhi witnessed unprecedented riots Indiraji's side) or not to be ... He could her unlimited powers. All fundamental on the issue of cow slaughter. The then see the bright future for Indira Gandhi rights of citizens were curbed. Those Home Minister Gulzarilal Nanda had but on the hand he saw his old friends who opposed the Emergency were put

March 2012 15 Maharashtra Ahead

behind the bars. There used to be mass Gandhi in her wrong doing. However, In the peculiar political situation arrests every day. The entire country he lost credibility in the country, lost Yashwantraoji could not disown his had turned into jail. The powerful prime his grip over the state politics and pupil and deny openly as it was not minister became the dictator. finally lost his friends. This also warranted, but damage was done. After It was the real test for Yashwantroa. changed the entire political scenario of this Yashwantrao went in alienation, He had to choose between the values of Maharashtra. He would keep waiting until the call democracy on one hand and dictatorship Maharashtra saw many able chief comes from the prime minister. He on the other hand. Emergency got ministers no body could get the honour would interact only when his opinion Indiraji isolated. Communist Party, Yashwanrao got at the centre and in the was sought. Gradually, Yashwantroa Jansangh, the break-away Congress country. In the period of Yashwantraoji's life slipped into a tragedy. He lost his and Bharatiya Kranti Dal got united decline the central Congress leadership nephew, his wife. After completing his under the leadership of Jai Prakash ironically used his name to create auto-biography he fell sick. He was Narayan. The one-point agenda of all misconceptions and discontent among hospitalized. The then Prime Minister of them was hatred for against Indira leaders. When Shankarrao Chavan was Rajiv Gandhi used to visit, however, Gandhi. Yashwantrao was known to be made chief minister he was told he was ignored by most leaders from as the man of principles. Those who that "we have no objection, but get the the state. were opposing Indiraji had respect for consent of Yashwantraoji first. This Yashwrantrao has left no property Yeshwanarao and were expecting that created wrong notion in the mind of in Delhi or Mumbai. The leader who he would change his side. However, he Shankarrao that Yashwantrao was not promoted cooperative sugar factories chose to be with Indira Gandhi despite in his favour. This resulted in the state but there is no factory named after her atrocities. This decision changed being split with regional loyalties taking him till the date. In his State Bank his identity. People started calling him front seat. account at the time of his the balance power-monger. When Vasantdada Patil became was Rs. 36 thousand. It is the irony of Finally, Indira Gandhi lifted the the chief minister he sought support life that as one goes to scale the peak Emergency and declared elections in of Indira Gandhi than Yashwantrao. he has to be alone. Yashwantrao was 1977. She lost. The first non-Congress Patal was replaced by Sharad Pawar in not an exception to this. In this year of came to power but proved short-lived. a bizarre political development. Pawar his birth centenary we all must accept Indira Gandhi again came to power was not with the Congress. However, that Yashwantrao is the only leader of with thumping majority. Yashwantrao such a political situation was created a stature as high as Lokmanya Tilak. was rewarded with deputy prime that as if Pawar was doing this on the Hence he is the leader of the people.  ministership for supporting Indira guidelines of Saheb, Yashwantrao. - Suresh Dwadashiwar

16 March 2012 The Troubleshooter He laughed more easily and more often than any other Indian I have met

Extracts from T. V. Kunhi Krishnan’s book ‘Chavan and the Troubled Decade’. It portrays Yashwantrao Chavan in different dimensions on the backdrop of The Decade of 1960-70, that saw some crucial national and inter-national developments - wars with China and Pakistan, the death of Jawaharlal Nehru, two successions to prime ministership, three general elections, the emergence of religious and communal forces on the political scene, the great split in the Congress Party preceded by splits in the Communist and Socialist parties. Chavan’s life served as a binding thread to put together the story of the Troubled Decade.

n fact, unlike many of the other leaders of the Indian freedom Imovement, Y. B. Chavan did not have a head-start in life and did not begin at a high level. His development from a poor village boy into a powerful leader of the Indian Freedom Move- ment has a thoroughly indigenous character. Pictures of him at the age of twenty reveal a slim, awkward youth, with the stamp of rural life on his face. Since then he has changed a great deal. His broad forehead, penetrating eyes, big nose thick under lip and receding chin are set in a round face which now gives the impression of power. He has a disarming and captivating smile. “He The new Cabinet formed in 1966 with Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister laughed more easily and more often than any other Indian I have met.” His rough exterior gives no indica- future think more kindly of the Govern- The spacious and well-furnished tion whatsoever of his intellectual pur- ment of India. drawing room in his official residence suits and interest in new ideas which He works deep into the night, up to - 1 Race Course Road, New Delhi – have not been dead-ended by years 1.30 p.m. He rises at about 7.00 a.m. speaks of the rare combination of sim- spent in pouring over musty govern- and reads the morning newspapers in plicity and consciously developed so- ment files. He was one of the two Cabi- bed for about 45 minutes. By 9.00 a.m. phistication that characterizes the man. net Ministers who without formal invi- he is ready to receive his private secre- The sitting room in the adjacent build- tation found time to attend a meeting tary who gives him urgent communica- ing where visitors are received is one of in remembrance of Bertrand Russell tions received during the night. By the the best furnished and elegant that any held in New Delhi in March 1970 by time he finishes his bath and breakfast. minister in New Delhi has. There are the six O’ clock Group in collaboration He is in his office in the North Block of pictures of Gandhi, Nehru, Dr. Rajen- with the India International Center. the Central Secretariat by about 10.00 dra Prasad, Dr. Radhakrishnan, Dr. Za- Frank Moraes, the editor of The Indian a.m. A briefing session with the secre- kir Hussain, V.V. Giri, and Indira Gan- Express, who spoke at the meeting , taries at 10 a.m. was a daily routine he dhi in his drawing room, but his own referred to Chavan’s presence among never missed for three and a half years picture is conspicuous by its absence. the audience and said that he would in as Home Minister. When he was De-

March 2012 15 Maharashtra Ahead

jawans on the battle front or generals at the Army HQ,among heads of State or peasant and workers, he is at ease and establishes immediate rapport with those around.

The Rebel Recalling the activities during the un- derground days Chavan said that he and his co-workers distributed anti-Govern- ment pamphlets, trained recruits for sabotage and organized clandestine study groups. He admitted it was dif- ficult to keep up popular enthusiasm in the face of harsh police repression. After about 10 months there was a lull. Police was on the offensive and the freedom fighters were on the run. The underground leaders in Satara resorted to violence and sabotage. Though Cha- van had his qualms of conscience he was a member of one of the terrorist With John K. Gerhart, Commander-in-Chief, North American Air Defence and Mrs Gerhart squads entrusted with the task of sab- fence Minister, he met the three chiefs Inspite of the every great respect he otage work. The new direction of the of the armed forces and the Defence had for Gandhi, he did not come under movement led to the formation of Patri Secretary every morning at 9.30. At 1.45 the Mahatma’s spell as some other Con- Sarkar [Parallel Government], activi- p.m. he goes home and has a substantial gress leaders did. He does not belong to ties of which resembled Guerilla war- lunch. He loves chicken curry and does the generation of politicians who grew fare. Chavan said, “I can not claim that I not miss rice, although his doctors have up in the spiritualistic ethos of Gandhi. had taken an active role in Patri Sarkar advised to give up rice to guard against His reverence for the great leader did movement which began in the later part further increase in weight. From 3.30 not prevent him from being critical of of 1942. In fact it became strong only by pm to 7.00 p.m. he is in his office again. Gandhi’s policies. Referring to the days the time I was arrested in 1943. It was a After 9.30 p.m. he is down to work and when he was in jail in 1932 he said: further development of the same move- goes through the mountains of files that “We were rather critical of Gandhiji ment we were carrying on.” come to him in sealed boxes. Each box and wondered how his movement was In 1945, the Government decided to is above 2’ x1 ½’ x 1’ and some nights he going to help us to attain our goal.” He hold elections to central and provincial has to deal with 10 boxes of files. has great respect and admiration for legislature. “I had my qualms of con- He likes to relax but seldom gets the Nehru, but he has never been a hero- science about standing for elections be- opportunity to do so. He loves children. worshipper. He has contempt for arm- cause my family depended on me. One His house in Delhi is full of children of chair politicians and theorists. Saturday afternoon, when I was at the all ages –nieces, nephews and grand He left the Congress Socialists Party Miraj, Tuberculosis hospital with my nieces and grand nephews. His wife, because he found that the party con- brother, some friends came to me and Venutai Chavan an extremely charming sisted of a “group of fashionable people, asked me to contest election. We were but totally self-effacing person with no no doubt people of character but with- sitting outside my ailing brother’s room interest in politics, had her own share of out any real understanding of the prob- and discussing my candidature. I ex- jail life during the freedom movement. lems of the masses in rural areas.” He plained to them my difficulties. I said Chavan has little time for entertainment was later attracted by the radical ideas I had done my quota of national work or recreation. His favourite sport is preached by M.N Roy, the Communist and after I was able to find some peace, Cricket which he had played as a young leader, but when he found that Roy’s after my brother improved his health, I lad in the high school at Karad in Satara ideas were “too sophisticated to be prac- would again come back to active poli- district. He said, “I was fond of cricket. tical“, he parted company with Roy. tics. My brother heard our conversa- But I found it was a game for rich stu- He is a lonely man, an individual- tion and called us in. He said, ‘you have dents, not for one like me, coming from ist at heart, but with conscious efforts already done a lot for the country. It is a poor family… I must confess there is a he has succeeded in submerging his only right that you should now go for- sort of regret that I could not continue individualism in the collective milieu ward and take some sort of responsibil- to play the game”. of politics. Whether he is among the ity. Don’t run away from it. If you do not

16 March 2012 agree to contest I will not stay a minute it in principle, he said that if Chavan felt longer in the hospital. That was how I strongly about the proposal, he might decided to fight election to the Bombay himself speak to Lal Bahadur Shastri, Legislative Assembly in March 1946. the then Home Minister. Nehru prob- That’s how my career as a Legislator ably thought that was not the time to began.” do it and did not to want to displease Shastri. The Chief Minister Chavan was ambitious and wanted to Another of his contribution was the make a success of his debut in Delhi. He decentralization of administration. He worked very hard to give a new image, said that one of the important aspects a new direction to the armed forces. He of his work was the democratic decen- had his critics, however both inside and tralization of administration. He set outside Parliament. Some senior civil on economic affairs since the Faridabad up Zilla Parishads (district councils) in servants were not too impressed by him session of the Congress in 1968. He had early 1962. The councils were demo- and said that he had brought no new drafted the resolution on economic pol- cratically elected district councils with ideas to the defence problems. Another icies adopted by the Bangalore session the primary responsibility for all de- criticism against him was that he was of the AICC in June 1969. At the Delhi velopment projects in the district. They not as self-assured as he should be dur- session of the AICC in September 1969 were given funds and executive author- ing Parliamentary debates. It took him and again at the plenary session of the ity to conduct administration and plan sometime to master the idiom of life Congress in Bombay in December 1969, for development at the local level. The in Delhi. Defence was not an academic he moved the resolution on economic aim of the Zilla Parishad was to energize subject that could be mastered by re- policy. At Patna, in October 1970 he the villages and associate the rural garding briefs prepared by departmen- drafted and moved the economic reso- masses with development programmes. tal heads. It was a thoroughly practical lution in the AICC. He made a spirited Each council had about 60 members affair, and required knowledge of the speech there on economic goals –his elected on the basis of adult fran- cost and capabilities of aircraft, ships, first speech in Hindi in the AICC. Even chise. A miniature election, with all the guns and military techniques. But Cha- as Home Minister he had given consid- paraphernalia of nomination, return- van was willing to learn. He was cau- erable attention to economic issues and ing officers, polling booths, reserved tious and “not easily hustled into saying had spoken about them extensively. seats for backwards classes, provision or doing things and as a result he some- for nomination of women if none were times gives the impression to those who Home Minister elected, is held normally every five years do not know him of being somewhat Although the Home Minister’s imme- in each district along with elections to slow in the uptake. But Chavan is usu- diate task was to maintain law and or- the State Legislative Assembly .The ally wide awake and will not easily be der, he felt he should go deeper into the President of the Parishad is elected by caught napping. Nor is he easily rattled. problem of students unrest. He told the the members of the parishad. He is giv- After having cleaned the house and consultative committee of Parliament en rent –free, furnished accommoda- created proper climate for increased attached to his ministry that he did tion, an honorarium of Rs 500 a month defence production, the Defence Min- not agree with those who looked at the and a conveyance and is assisted by a ister turned his attention to acquiring students’ unrest purely from the angle vice-president and the two chairmen defence matereials from abroad. India of law and order. He drew the atten- also receive honoraria. had sought military aid from the USA, tion of the committee to the reluctanc- the UK, the USSR and other friendly es of the older generation to share the The Defence Minister countries during the war. The response experiences of the younger generation. When Chavan was Defence Minister a from the USA and Britain was initially It’s urges and aspirations, frustrations proposal was made by his ministry to warm. After the cease-fire, the aid giv- and joys. “We must do everything pos- take Military Intelligence away from ing countries slowed down the pace of sible to provide a framework of ideal- the IB. It was, however, dropped after assistance and wanted a fuller examina- ism to the youth, and make it possible a discussion in the Cabinet. Chavan tion of India’s defence needs. for them to work for its realization as strengthened the MI, gave more funds, active partners in the nation’s struggle equipments and men to it. At one time Finance Minister for progress and prosperity.” He said he was in favour of the work of the ex- His new job was indeed a great chal- “communication channels should be ternal intelligence being shifted from lenge, for here was an opportunity for created between leaders and students” the Home Minister to the Prime Min- him to work the economic programmes and added that the existing socio-eco- ister. In early 1963, he sent a note to he had been strongly advocating in the nomic conditions were responsible for Nehru on the subject. Nehru discour- party forums. In fact, he has been the the unrest which was not confined to aged the idea, although he approved of chief spokesman of the Congressman India alone. 

March 2012 17 Passionate Book-Lover His chemistry with politics and literature was very fine. Whatever was good for the people, Yashwantrao adopted it. He has once said people are bigger than the state. He meant that no local pride should come in the way of national interest.

ashwantrao's love for books is well-known. He would has once said people are bigger than the state. He meant that buy 15 to 20 books every month and would never go to no local pride should come in the way of national interest. Ybed without reading 25 to 50 pages daily irrespective Yashwantrao was influenced by Vitthal Ramji Shinde of his tight schedule. He would feel at ease in the company whose work in abolishing the untouchability is unparallel. of writers, poets, playwrights, critics and actors; and would When Yashwantrao became the Chief Minister he scrapped relish being with them as he would enjoy meetings of party the Mahar Watan Act. The Harijans who got converted to men, bureaucrats and people from all walks of life. Buddhism had become ineligible to get the concessions. We found in him a rare combination of an able Yashwantrao started it again. He was also influenced by the administrator and a connoisseur of arts, music as well as Marxism. This reflected in his progressive policies. literature. His chemistry When Sharad Pawar and with politics and literature the Congress legislators was very fine. Venutai used supporting him decided to to look after his library with form the government along the same dedication, love with the Janata Party, and care that she gave to Yashwantrao was in the her other half. Yashwantrao Congress. It was the time would have debates and when the one-time Guru discussions with eminent and Shishya were on two critics on controversies in different ends. During the literature. Emergency Yashwantrao Yashwantrao is the had opposed Indira real architect of Modern Gandhi. However, in 1978 Maharashtra for he Lok Sabha elections Indira promoted agriculture and Gandhi got elected from the industrial simultaneously, Chikmanglur Constituency, strengthened democracy­ at a fraction of the Congress the grass root level trough local self-governments of Gram that was in favour of amalgamation of Congress appealed Panchayat, Zill Parisha and Panchayat Samiti. He initiated for the unification of the party. Yashwantrao was of the view Koyana and Ujani dams and propagated Kolhapur -style to be with the national stream. The fraction suggested that dams to facilitate irrigation. Agriculture universities were his Yashwantrao should be with Indira Gandhi and if he differs brain-child. he should form a new party. Lot of changes took place. The In the cooperative sector he helped start 18 sugar factories Congress got split and then got unified again. Yashwanrao on the cooperative basis. He had good relations with came back home (Congress). industrialists from Maharashtra even as he was in Delhi. Yashwantrao became deputy prime minister and He took initiative in clearing files of B.G. Shirke who had Pawar was made Defence Minister. Being with Congress introduced an innovative technology in civil construction. Yashwantrao continued his presence in Maharashtra as He started University in Aurangabad and Kolhapur. well as the Central Government. He put his stamp on every It's true that cooper­ative sugar factories flourished in ministry he handled. He was very thoughtful in politics. At Maharashtra during the tenure of Vasantdad Patil but the fact times he confronted with bigwigs of Congress. While he had a is that Yashwantrao was supporting him from Delhi. He had great respect for Nehru, he was not on good terms with Indira envisioned the over all development of agriculture with the Gandhi. On the back drop of today's politics of corruption support of cooperative sector by promoting dairy and animal and commercialization Yashwantrao's cultured politics that husbandry, agricultural produce marketing and agro-based had the rural touch stands tall. Indian would have been much product processing units. benefited had Yashwantrao been the prime minister.  Whatever was good for the people, Yeshwantrao adopted it. He - Hemant Desai

March 2012 17 Landmarks in the Life of Shri Y.B. Chavan

12 March 1913 : Born at village Devrashtre in Satara district. (now Sangli district ) : Primary education at Devrashtre in the local school. 1918-19 : A plague epidemic, due to which his father Balwantrao Chavan dies. 1927 : Passes vernacular final examination from the Karad Central School. Secures admission in the Tilak High School of Karad. 1931 : Becomes the recipient of first prize of Rs. 150 in the elocution competition held on behalf of Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya of Poona for best speech on the topic,’ Village Improvement’. 1930-32 : Participates in the Non-Cooperation Movement and is sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. May 1933 : Released from Jail 1934 : Passes Matriculation and joins Rajaram College at Kolhapur where he comes in close contact with Prof. N.S. Phadke and Dr. Balkrishna, whose guidance stood in good stead in his future career 1938 : Passes BA examination of the Bombay University with History and Politics as his principal subjects. 1936-38 : Deeply influenced by the political philosophy of M.N. Roy. 1940 : Elected President of The Satara District Congress 1940-41 : Gets through the LLB examination and starts legal practice. 2nd June 1942 : Gets married but is forced to go underground , because of his political activities , some months after his marriage. 1942 : Shri Chavan assumes leadership of the ‘Quit India Movement’ launched by Mahatma Gandhi on 9th August in Satara district. : Elected Chairman of the seminar held under the auspices of Dakshin Maharashtra Sahitya Sammelan (South Maharashtra Literary Conference) : Joins underground movement in Satara district, directs and guides it. 1942-43 : Succeeds in being in the company of Smt. Venutai Chavan who is ill. : Arrested by the police during his stay at Phaltan. 1943 : Bereaved by the death of elder brother Dyanoba. 1945 : Released from jail. 1946 : Elected to the Bombay Legislative Assembly from South Satara in the first General Elections. 14 April 1946 : Appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Home Department of the Bombay Government 1947 : His second brother Ganpatrao passes away 1948 : Elected Secretary of the MPCC 1952 : Re-elected to the Bombay Legislative Assembly : Appointed Minister for Civil Supplies 25 September 1953 : Signs the Nagpur pact alongwith the late Shri Bhausaheb Hiray and Shri Nanasaheb Kunte 1954 : Establishes the Bombay Rajya Panchayat Sangh 19 November 1957 : Inauguration of Shivaji Memorial at Pratapgad, at the hands of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru 1958 : Appointed member of the All India Congress Committee March 1959 : Undergoes surgery, rests for 42 days 13 February 1960 : Inaugurates the Vidarbha Sahitya Sammelan at Savargaon Durke 1May 1960 : Presides over the formation of new Maharashtra State and becomes its first Chief Minister

18 March 2012 21 October 1960 : Public felicitation at Pune on behalf of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee November 1960 : Appointed member of the All-India Congress Election Council . 10 November 1960 : Consents to the holding of one session of Maharashtra Legislature every year at Nagpur as part of the implementation of the provisions of the Nagpur Agreement; first session of the same held 21 December 1960. : Establishment of Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya Sanskriti Mandal. Inauguration at Nagpur December 1960 : Inauguration of Shivaji statue at Mumbai 1961 : Elected to the All-India Congress Committee from the Congress High Command : Chairman of the Reception Committee of the forty third Marathi Natya Sammelan held at Delhi 1 May 1962 : Launches the Panchayat Raj Scheme : First article in Marathi entitled “Niyaticha Hat” (The Hand of Fate) published in the Diwali special issue of Kesari. 23 November 1962 : Assumes office as India’s Defence Minister 1963 : Elected unopposed to the Lok Sabha from the Nasik district 1963 : Visit to the USA in response to invitation by Mr. McNamara, US Defence Secretary August 1963 : Visit to the USSR; held discussions with Mr. Khruschev 1964 : Began tour of Russia from 28 August 1964 : Elected President the Maharashtra Education Society of New Delhi 1965 : Inaugurates the Forty-seventh Session of the All-India Marathi Natya Parishad at Nanded January 1966 : Attends Shastri- Ayub Khan talks at Tashkent 14 November 1966 : Appointed Home Minister at the Centre 26 January 1970 : Appointed Finance Minister 1971 : Participates in a seminar on financial matters in the Conference of Developing Nations October 1974 : Appointed Minister for External Affairs 1975 : Visited Guiana, Cuba, Lebanon, Egyt, Peru, America, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and France December 1975 : Chairman of the Reception Committee of the All-India Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held at Karad 1976 : Visited Turkey and Algeria 1977-78 : Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha 1978 : Joins Sanjiv Reddi Congress following differences with Smt. Indira Gandhi July 1979 : Appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister in the coalition Government of Shri Charan Singh 1980 : Elected to Lok Sabha from Satara constituency in (the only victorious candidate of Reddy Congress in Maharashtra) : Re-entry into Congress-I. Appointed chairman of the Eighth Finance Commission June 1983 : Bereaved following the sudden death of Smt. Venutai Chavan 25 November 1984 : Breathes his last at Delhi, at 7.45 p.m. 27 November 1984 : Cremated at the “Priti Sangam” of Krishna-Koyna at 3.40 p.m. at Karad. 1984 : His autobiographical book Krishnakath is awarded the Sahityasamarat N.C.Kelkar Prize 31 May 1986 : Conferred the Posthumous award ‘Samajik Nyay Puraskar’ on behalf of the Ramshastri Prabhune Pratishthan of Kshetra Mahuli (Satara dist.)

March 2012 19 Maharashtra Ahead My Mentor, My Rolemodel I will never forget that Yashwantrao Chavan laid the foundation of my political career Yashwantrao Chavan taught us that administration must have a human face, and a leader must win the trust of administrative machinary. The opportunity to work in the public life, in the administration or any other field springs from common people's backing. So their interest must be at your heart, remembers Sharad Pawar, Union Minister for Agriculture

was active in public life became its Chief Minister. even in my childhood. But the demand of Samyukta II loved it. At school, Maharashtra Samiti was that and even in the college, I this bilingual State should played the organizer’s role be split up to form separate enthusiastically, may it be a States of Maharashtra and cultural program or a sports Gujarat, and it was finding event. I spent a lot of time favour among the masses. in extra-curricular activities Congress lost the 1957 polls, and little in studies. I got but Samiti too did not get a more and more involved in clear majority. The task of such things. My family had running the State in these influences of Satya-shodhak difficult times was assigned movement and the leftist to Chavan. We youngsters politics of Peasants and backed the Samiti. But Chavan Workers Party. handled the people’s agitation In 1968 I passed my with a great sensitivity matriculation exam and and understanding. His joined Brihanmaharashtra predecessor, Morarji Desai, College in Pune. I shifted to had taken a high-handed the college hostel, and had stand. In contrast, Chavan much more freedom than appeared to be more civilized. at home. In the first year I Chavan too wanted a contested a college election unified Maharashtra, but and won. So my involvement he was not ready to take in the college activities on Pandit Nehru. Chavan expanded. ran the bilingual State, My public life started and simultaneously tried in Pune, as I tried to help to persuade Congress these outsider students from high command to concede rural area. We formed friend the demand for unified circles in every district. I Maharashtra. The then Yashwantrao and Sharad Pawar, Union Minister for Agriculture and my friends also actively Congress president, participated in college elections. This Patil, Nana Patil, Shahir Amar Shaikh Indira Gandhi, sided with him, period coincided with the Samyukta etc were the leading lights of the and notwithstanding Desai’s stiff Maharashtra Movement. It had created movement. opposition, Chavan could bring Nehru a new kind of political mood. Acharya Bilingual State of Maharashtra was around. The unified Maharashtra came Atre, S M Joshi, N G Gore, Uddhavrao formed, and Yashwantrao Chavan into existence in 1960, with Nehru

20 March 2012 presiding over the function at Mumbai’s Raj Bhavan. Once the demand was conceded, the political mood in the State transformed. People understood Chavan’s stand, and misconceptions melted down. I and my colleagues had begun to work for the Youth Congress. Chavan, and his thinking about the way forward for the State, attracted all of us. 1962 elections followed, and Congress, under Chavan’s leadership, won the mandate. The Chinese invasion came immediately thereafter. Indian army found itself in dire straits, and people’s morale sank. Defence Minister Krishna Menon faced barrage of criticism in the Parliament, even Nehru was assailed by the opposition. To save the situation, Sharad Pawar in a meeting with Yashwantrao Chavan [1978] Nehru called Chavan to Delhi to replace Menon. The enemy bit the dust, people’s self- those days, I used to camp out at Tilak As Chavan assumed the charge, confidence surged, and Yashwantrao Bhavan, the Congress headquarters China announced ceasefire. Chavan won a lot of admiration and affection. in Mumbai. The stay there helped me won people’s trust. The army was India’s ally, USSR, invited leaders of develop contacts with Congressmen demoralized after the defeat. Chavan both the countries to Tashkent for across the State. Assembly election came toured the border areas and tried to reconciliation. A peace treaty was signed, around by 1966-end. My associates boost the troops’ self-confidence. He had whereby India agreed to withdraw its suggested I should contest, and I too realized the disastrous consequences army from Pakistani territories and free wanted to take the plunge, but I had of lack of modern weaponry and other its captured soldiers. It had a reaction no backing among the Congressmen resources. He took decisions to improve in India. Then the calamity of Shastri’s of Pune district. I sought ticket for the situation, which helped restore sudden death occurred. Yashwantrao, Baramati constituency. the troops’ moral. Millions of youth in who had accompanied the Prime When my application was discussed, the country, like me, began to admire Minister on that visit, had to return to all the senior leaders said that I was Chavan. Delhi with Shastri’s dead body. unelectable. Chavan was present at this I remember, we had invited him to There was a vacancy for the top meeting. He asked casually: How many a function at the college. He talked to post. A large section of Congress MPs seats we expect to get in Maharashtra? me with interest after the function was and the party’s executive committee Everybody agreed that Congress would over. He always wanted to have a full wanted Chavan to become the PM. The get around 200 out of the 288 seats. picture of the State. After I told him sentiment was conveyed to Chavan, but Chavan said, “That means we would my name and the village I came from, he hadn’t forgotten that Indira Gandhi lose in some sixty-seventy places. he immediately got the idea of my had helped during the formation of Why not add one more to the tally and background, and encouraged my plan unified Maharashtra. He discussed give a chance to Sharad?” He himself to work among the youth. After this, we the issue of leadership with her, and campaigned for me. The youth of my began to attend every public meeting my guess is that he assured to support constituency handled the campaign. I or function where Chavan was to be if Mrs. Gandhi wanted to become the won, with the highest number of votes present. Prime Minister. in Pune district. His career in Delhi was on the ascent. During this period, he constantly I started working for the constituency Nehru fell sick during the Bhubaneswar encouraged me. He assigned me the and the organization from the very next convention of Congress, and passed responsibility of leadership of youth day. These days, even first-time MLAs away on May 27, 1964. Lalbahadur at the State-level. I could talk to him have dreams of becoming a minister. Shastri succeeded him. Yashwantrao as a close associate. I believe that this The thought never occurred to me. continued as Defence Minister. He association and the encouragement he I was elected as general secretary of had succeeded in boosting the troops’ gave me played an important role in Maharashtra Congress, and remained morale and getting modern weaponry shaping my personality and my career. very active in the assembly as well as in for the forces. This paid off during the He always attended the big events the party organization. 1965 war with Pakistan. organized by Youth Congress. In Then the 1972 election took place.

March 2012 21 Maharashtra Ahead

of literature, music, arts and sports. However high one rises; decency, modesty and civilized attitude must remain indispensable. He was our role model. Chavan was friends with people from various fields. He was always well- read, and emphasized the importance of the culture of reading. I and many others were lucky to come in contact with this man. He taught us that the administration must have a human face, and a leader must win the trust of the administrative machinery. The opportunity to work in the public life, in the administration or any other field, springs from common people’s backing. So their interest must be at your heart. Congress split up before the 1980 polls. Indira Gandhi headed Congress (I). I and many others became a part of the splinter group led by Swaran Singh. I was the Chief Minister of the State then. We worked hard in the election, but people were not with Congress (S). Only Yashwantrao could win from Satara. Post-election, he expressed the view that people had accepted Mrs. Gandhi’s Congress, and we too must respect this sentiment. I remember, the meeting at the house of Laxmanrao Patil, the chairman of Satara Zilla Parishad. Chavan advocated joining Congress (I). Many of those present said that they supported this idea. But I differed. I suspected that Congress (I) would not accord the due respect to a towering leader such as Chavan. I was not at all in favour of joining the party. For the first time I was taking a stand at variance with his. It pained me a lot, and Chavan, who had immense affection Chief Minister Vasantrao Naik me as he was very keen on getting the for me, too felt a similar pain. We stayed submitted a list of prospective ministers youth into the organization. with Congress (S) and worked hard to to the Congress high command for Once he said in the party meeting promote the party. Whenever we got approval. Mrs. Gandhi okayed it. My that there can not be stasis. `If a success, Chavan’s face would betray name did not figure in the list. Not that roti on a hot plate is not flipped, it satisfaction. I always called on him I expected it. But, as I later learnt, when will burn’. This must not happen in whenever I went to Delhi. Venutai, his Naik showed this list to Yashwantrao, the Maharashtra politics. I will wife, passed away in this period. This the latter phoned Mrs. Gandhi and never forget that Chavan laid the towering, courageous man could not get told her that Sharad must be there to foundation of my political career. He over his grief. She had been with him represent the youth. Mrs. Gandhi agreed taught us that one must network and through thick and thin, he could not and I was made a minister of State for form relations with the wider society. come to terms with the loss. Whenever Home and General Administration. One must be in touch with various we talked about her, his eyes would well The opportunity had come my way only sections of the society. A political up with tears.  because of Chavan. He kept encouraging leader should have contacts in the fields As told to Vijay Naik

22 March 2012 Pioneer of Decentralised Power He instituted Panchayat Raj System to take the power to the grassroot level Yashwantraoji laid the foundation for the State's cultural and financial prosperity. He made the schooling free for the poor children. He gave prominence to social equality, educational and cultural development. He taught the same attitude to his associates, says Sushilkumar Shinde, Union Minister for Power.

ashwantraoji Chavan built and Jawaharlal Nehru rightly gauged his shaped a leadership of the youth talents and offered him the post of Yin Maharashtra. Not only he Minister of Defence. Personality of strived hard to uplift the masses and Nehru, the first Prime Minister of the drew people from all castes and religions Independent India, was looked at as to the politics. It was Yashwantrao who the Himalaya by all and when called brought an administrative officer like S Yashwantraoji, many political experts G Barve, or a scholar like Rafiq Zakaria phrased the incident metaphorically as into the politics. Sahyadri (the hill range in Maharashtra) Yashwantraoji’s political ideology - Yashwantraoji, leaving for the help of was to take everyone and all together. Himalaya. Sushilkumar Shinde, Union Minister for Power He had that knack of getting along with I was a newbie in the politics and people of different attitude and nature. was working with Sharad Pawar as the came to know about my speech and He was a political philosopher, much general secretary of Congress Forum immediately phoned me and said, `I like Plato. His political Guru could have for Socialist Action. Yashwantraoji heard you spoke very well’. I have still been Plato, who has written that 'the was Pawar’s political mentor. Pawar cherished this certificate. ruler should believe in equality and take introduced me to him, and told him that Yashwantraoji had warm relations everybody along.' I had studied at a night school, and was with writers, artistes, actors, directors, He rendered yeomen service for active in various fields. Yashwantraoji playwrights, and even folk-artists. He bringing people of various castes, was surprised to learn that I was working took certain steps for their welfare. creeds and ideologies into the political as a boy peon in the court. His own father It was he who took the decision to arena and gave them a social direction. had worked as a court bailiff, so perhaps waive entertainment tax on plays. His His strongest desire was to make he felt a sort of kinship for me. guidance has left an indelible imprint Maharashtra a developed and advance During this period of my proximity on us. In fact, I am sure that if we could State. To ensure this he gave prominence to him, I came across his ideologies - his take his thinking forward, Maharashtra to social equality, educational and Leftist leanings, influence of M. N. Roy's would become the numero uno State in cultural development. He taught the rationalism, his socialist bend of mind, every respect. same attitude to his associates. and his quest for social equality. I used to It is unfortunate that today’s politics Yashwantraoji laid the foundation closely observe three prominent leaders is marked by fractures. Telling lies with for the State's cultural and financial of those days: Yashwantrao Chavan, conviction is the mantra now. Political prosperity. He made the schooling free Vasantdada Patil, and Vasantrao Naik. Pundit Machiavelli, who once wrote for those earning less than Rs. 1,200 per I studied how they handled and solved that, 'a ruler should be brave like lion year right in the initial years of the new issues which helped me hone my and cunning like a fox', could be an State of Maharashtra. leadership skills. But Yashwantraoji’s idol of present day politicians. Today's While in Mumbai, Yashwantraoji thinking became benchmark for me. political scenario makes me think what witnessed several social and labour I am fortunate to get the opportunity Yashwantraoji would have felt had he agitations, and mastered the art of of releasing his book, `Krishnakath’. been alive today!  handling them. Then Prime Minister The function was held in Karad. He As told to Surekha Taksal

March 2012 23

Maharashtra Ahead My Friend, My Guide

He had great appreciation for creativity and used to encourage writers and artists Yashwantrao always made time for enjoying a work of art. He used to appreciate good literature and analyze good books, says Vinayakrao Patil.

rom the time he became the Chief recommended very highly an English Minister, I had been hearing film that was playing at the nearby FYashwantraoji’s public speeches. Regal cinema. Yashwantrao had He was a wizard of words, and I used some free time that day. He had to hear him with rapt attention. In the two tickets of afternoon show company of friends, I used to mimic booked, without telling anybody. Yashwantraoji’s mannerisms and the At quarter to three, he told exact intonations. That would regale the me,"Vinayakrao, we are going on party workers, and I became popular. a special mission". We entered the But I was always curious to know cinema hall after the film started, and how Yashwantraoji spoke in private got to our seats in the darkness. Not gatherings, and for a long time I wanted even his security officers knew about entry into his private circle. I got to this “mission”. Yashwantrao had taken know him well gradually, but people off his trademark cap, so that he wasn’t would be around, and the conversations recognized. We enjoyed the film, though would be formal. afterwards other viewers did recognize Good things do happen, though him and he was mobbed. often late. I was sure I would get this Yashwantrao always made time opportunity. Finally it came my way one my surprise when Yashwantraoji said, for enjoying a work of art, and he also day. I was in Delhi on some business. `Let’s have it!’ encouraged the writers and the artistes. After finishing my work, I went to I nearly fell out of chair! Then I I remember a day. It was January 1, see Yashwantraoji before leaving for braced up, wiped the perspiration, 1977. He had come nearby my village Maharashtra. I had been given two and started off. First two lines of the to inaugurate a library in the memory minutes. I was standing in the drawing mimicry, and Yashwantraoji laughed of a youth named Kumbharde room when he entered. Now I had the out. Now he took off his cap, and who was killed in the China war. chance to talk to him face to face, but I began to listen with more interest. Yashwantraoji made it a point to attend couldn’t think of what to say! He asked For the next twenty minutes, he the function for this youth had joined me to sit down. I sat down, thinking laughed so much that there were the Army responding to the appeal of he would ask some routine questions tears in his eyes. This meeting did away Yashwantraoji. Before the program, he about happenings back home and with the formality in our relations. He was to have lunch at my house. There was dismiss me in five minutes. So I was told me to drop in anytime I was in some time, and I suggested that he take caught off guard completely when he Delhi. I, of course, never missed the rest, instead, Yashwantraoji asked poet said, "I heard you do a nice send-up of chance to call on him. We shared so N D Mahanor to recite his poems and Mr. so-and-so"! many things with each other: shayari, a poetry session began. Yashwantrao This so-and-so was a minister gazhals, travel experiences, anecdotes. expressed his appreciation with utmost in Maharashtra cabinet, and I used Yashwantraoji had an elephantine spontaneity. He indeed held writers in to mimic his style of speaking, with memory and a way with the words. To high esteem. the eccentricities, adding my own top it, he was a great conversationalist. He used to appreciate good literature inputs. Place or time were no bar to I also realized that he had a fine taste in and analyze some particular books. His me. I gathered quickly that Sharad literature and films. views were completely objective. On Pawar must have reported this to As the Minister of Defence, it reading Laxman Mane’s autobiography, Yashwantraoji, because Pawar had was very difficult for him to go to the `Upara’, in which there is a line: "When been in the audience several times for movies like a commoner, for obvious I see all this, I feel like bombing the my mimicry 'shows’. I prepared myself reasons of security. Once, he and I Parliament". Yashwantraoji's reaction for a rap on the knuckles. So imagine went to meet Madhav Apte. Apte to it was fundamental. He said, "Due

24 March 2012

to the social conditions, a boy hailing from my village feels like bombing the Parliament, of which I am a member. I must understand the sentiments of these boys, and the conditions ought to change.’ He knew several poems by heart. Once, reciting a popular Marathi nursery-rhyme about a train-ride to `Mama’s (uncle’s) village, Yashwantrao suddenly stopped. I asked him why he broke off. He said, "This poem reminds me of my childhood, Vinayakrao." As a child, due to adverse financial condition at home, he had to live with his uncle for some time. Then he reminisced about childhood, and his uncle, who had helped. His memory was really prodigious. Once, in Mumbai, I went to see him. He was going out and asked me to accompany him. I learnt that we were going to Talegaon in Pune district. It was a three hours’ journey by car, during which I narrated a few couplets of Amir Khusro. There was some function at Talegaon, and I was amazed when Yashwantrao quoted those couplets during his speech verbatim. He had heard them only once. I was quite close to him, almost like a grandson. I could ask him anything. Once we were at his place in Delhi, when his personal assistance brought the news of the death of Devraj Urs, former Chief Minister of Karnataka. Yashwantrao said: ‘Oh, that’s sad news.’ Then I asked him what he thought of the death. He said: `Death is a bitter fact of life. I came face to face with death when my father passed away. Then I felt the severity of this fact, but later, with age, I became more and more objective about it. But still some Smt. Venutai and Shri Yashwantrao Chavan deaths leave you unsettled. The death of my associate, Kisan Veer, left me with in Karad. He returned home and every sentence of the other person: a great sense of loss. I wept a lot when asked Venutai if she had heard the showing agreement, disagreement, he died.’ news. She said she had, and added, anger, happiness, humour. I also asked him about his "Your bag is packed." Yashwantraoji Once, in a public speech, I referred relationship with his wife, Venutai. said Venutai had a very good unders­ to Brahmputraa, the great river of I said to him, `You two seem to be tanding. She could convey many a North-East India. He later corrected made for each other’. He asserted things without speaking. "Yes, we are me, saying it was Brahmputr. Then that I was right, and narrated an made for each other", Yashwantraoji he dwelt on the river at length. Such incident when he was the Home told me. guidance shaped the orator in me. I am Minister. During the Question He could be soft-spoken but candid. fortunate that I received his affection Hour in the Parliament, he heard During the conversation, his face would and guidance.  that there was some communal trouble be very responsive. It responded to As told to Manisha Pingle

March 2012 25 Maharashtra Ahead Shadow of Sahyadri Venutai was a multifaceted woman. One such her ‘avatar’ was of Annapurna’ It is the more clichéd idiom - 'behind every successful man…' yet in case of Venutai one can not restrain from not using it, for it was the reality. The success of towering personality of Yashwantrao was based upon sacrifices made by Venutai.

Smt. Venutai, Yashwantrao with Shripad Dongre, Ram Khandekar and other family members

ashwantrao Chavan and Venutai not an easy task. Freedom struggle his colleagues were at peace when they were complimentary to each other was getting hot. Yashwantrao was an learnt that Venutai stood as rock against Yin real life. Venutai took care that activist with arrest warrant against police brutalities without revealing Yashwantraoji was not bothered by little him. He could have been arrested anything. They were revitalized, but worries and issues of daily household. any moment, to avoid that he was were worried about health of Venutai. She made it possible for him to devote working underground. In their efforts Most of the freedom fighters maximum time of the day for his public to search and arrest Yashwantrao police remained in contact with their families life and successful political career. She harassed Venutai. directly or indirectly. Had Yashwantrao remained away from celebrity life of Police thought Venutai to be a soft been arrested, the course of history clubs and kittyparties and felicitations target, but the young, inexperienced, could have taken a different turn. Not but relentlessly submitted herself to her yet determined Venutai proved to be a only that, the future of Yashwantrao worthy husband and his family life. hardnut for police brutalities. She did could have been uncertain, for the Venutai was more than happy to not utter a word and faced all tortures entire erstwhile Satara district was have an educated and freedom-fighter with a smile in her face. All were taken plunged into freedom struggle. A husband. She soon realized that to be aback, when they learnt about the parallel government was set up in this a life partner of a freedom fighter was police brutalities. Yashwantrao and district and Yashwantrao was active

26 March 2012 member who had thrown a challenge to the British Government. It is the more clichéd idiom - 'behind every successful man…' yet in case of Venutai one can not restrain from not using it, for it was the reality. The success of towering personality of Yashwantrao was based upon sacrifices made by Venutai. It was hours before the dawn of freedom. Most of the freedom fighters have returned home. Yashwantrao too had returned. Venutai was visibly happy, but it made Yashwantrao worrisome, for her health had deteriorated. India became independent. Everyone was happy. But that marked the beginning of a period of ordeals for the newly married couple. Venutai was admitted to hospital at Miraj. Sickness and deaths A quiet evening with Venutai overshadowed the family. Yashwantrao, who was given great responsibility elder brother, whose death came to be dictated during a drive between in the Government, was held up in untimely. Venutai brought them with Malabar Hill and Secretariat with Mumbai, however he remained in meticulous love and care, more than relentless follow-up. contact with Venutai over telephone what mother would do. Venutai earned Thus responsibility befell upon and through letters and friends. Venutai a special position in Chavan family, Venutai, not only of her nephews and was finding it hard to meet the two ends with her motherly care. nieces, but of the entire family. Venutai of expenses, but never let it known to Yashwantrao Chavan became was very cautious in reaching up the Yashwantrao. She always took care that Chief Minister of bilingual Mumbai children, that no one should be able Yashwantrao was less bothered with State in 1956. Political atmosphere to point finger at her or her husband. household worries. in Maharashtra, in those days was Meanwhile, Venutai had to shoulder The couple lost their child in its unfavourable for Congress party. responsibility of her siblings also. infancy, only to be the guardian parent Besides, two States brought together Yashwantrao would be a while with of many other children throughout the were to be administered skillfully. Even the family, only late in the night after life. They shouldered responsibility 24 hours in a day were insufficient to completing the days work. to bring up children of Yashwantrao's fulfill the task. Important letters were Venutai was a multifaceted woman. One such her ‘avatar’ was of Annapurna’. Although the Home Minister’s immediate task was to maintain law and Yashwantrao Chavan and Venutai were so attached to each other that without order, he felt he should go deeper into the problem of students unrest. He speaking a word they would understand told the consultative committee of Parliament attached to his ministry what is going on with the other. that he did not agree with those who looked at the students unrest purely It was on 1st June 1983 that from the angle of law and order. He drew the attention of the committee Yashwantrao Chavan decided to hospitalize Venutai .She was not told to the reluctances of the older generation to share the experiences of of this decision. She was busy from the the younger generation. It’s urges and aspirations, frustrations and joys. sick bed in preparations of wedding “We must do everything possible to provide a framework of idealism to anniversary celebration. She however the youth, and make it possible for them to work for its realization as sensed it and called Yashwantrao to her active partners in the nation’s struggle for progress and prosperity.” He bed side she asked if he had decided to hospitalized her. Yashwantrao said “communication channels should be created between leaders and hesitantly confirmed and began to students “ and added that the existing socio-economic conditions were explain the need .But it was too late and responsible for the unrest which was not confined to India alone. she breathe her last. Yashwantrao could - Chavan and the Troubled Decade by T. V. Kunhi Krishnan not bear this loss for long.  - Ram Khandekar

March 2012 27 Maharashtra Ahead My Guide, My Pride I am what I am today only because of Saheb, he was the father-figure to me He also told me that as a Government administrator, it was my responsibility to make the system accessible to the common man and work for the upliftment of the poor and downtrodden dalit population, says former MLC and retired IAS Officer,Shrinivas Patil.

was growing up. including the likes of Pandit Sapre and I was born in 1941 in the Shankarrao Karambelkar. I aced by SSC village of Masalhaveli in the board exams in 1957 and was all ready Patan taluka in the district for college. At that time, Karamveer of Satara. Within a year Patil of Rayat Education Society asked of my birth, we shifted to my father to enroll me in his college. At Karad. My father bought a the same time, Karambelkar Sir gave small three-bedroom house Saheb’s message to my father, saying in the Borate building near that Saheb wanted me to go to Pune’s the famous Datta Mandir in SP College. And as per Saheb’s wishes, Shanivarpeth. An Atmaram I went to Pune and stayed at a hostel. Narayan Jadhav used to Saheb was the Chief Minister of the live in the apartment above bilingual state at the time I started the ours. His wife, whom we Samyukta Satara Students’ Association. use to call Badi, was a very I requested Saheb to inaugurate it, intelligent woman. which he readily agreed. He even picked In my young age I used me up from my hostel in his Dodge to play on the roof top of car with the distinctive 9001 plate our neighbour's building number, to go to the Fergusson college along with my friends, it amphitheatre I was overwhelmed by was around then that I first the modesty that Saheb so graciously glimpsed Saheb. He used and modestly displayed, despite being to be a frequent visitor to the Chief Minister of a State on the had won the election from the Narayan Jadhava’s house, and whenever request of a mere college student. He Karad constituency and was on my he would drop by, Badi would tell us to even commended me on my speech. It Iway to the Parliament for the first play quietly, so as to not disturb the two was the mark of the kind of the man he time. Accompanying me was Sharad men at their discussions. Saheb would was. I went on to pursue an MA from Pawar, who was like family to me. On always be garbed in white and as was the Gokhale Institute after completing the way to the Parliament house, there prescribed routine, he would remove his my BA. At the institute, I was exposed to is a statue of Yashwantrao Chavan that shirt, hand it on a peg and rest for a bit. many important thinkers including Dr one has to pass. Sharad Pawar pointed He was always accompanied by a Dhananjayrao Gadgil who was a visiting it out to me; we took a minute to pay our coterie of leaders and workers and they professor. respects before proceeding further. This would spend time discussing politics, I then went on to obtain a law statue was installed by Sharad Pawar something that I came to know much degree from Government Law College himself, a protégé of Yashwantrao, later. And he would leave in a hurry if in Mumbai. Simultaneously, I also sat when he was the Chief Minister of he received a message from Krantisinha for and passed the Deputy Collector’s Maharashtra. Looking upon his statue Nana Patil. exam for the MPSC, clearing the exam that day, the most important day of I used to study in the school opposite with merit. I immediately went to my career, it hit me that I was where I our house in the 7th standard, when I meet Saheb at “Riviera’ with great was only because Saheb had come came first in class. Then I went on to anticipation to give him the news. That into my life, for the first time when I was the Shivaji High School which had been was in 1965. Saheb took the sweets I just four years old. I was fortunate that founded by Saheb himself, one which had got and asked me what it was for. he was such an influence in my life as I was equipped with an excellent faculty, He said that if they were for my having

28 March 2012 A public meeting at Jhansi in 1966 achieved success in the law exam, then blessings and guidance have always he was sorry but he had diabetes. But …we presume that the unexpressed been my main source of inspiration and wishes of the common people are ful- if they were for my decision to join the filled as the new Maharashtra State motivation. civil service, then he would happily nurtures the courage and ambitions Yashwantrao formed the Pimpri- eat them! He went on to tell me that I of its people and brings forth new life, Chichwad Pradhikaran according to would be the first person from Karad with new dreams and hopes… the advice given by the great economist - Y.B. Chavan in the last 26 years to become Deputy Dr VM Dandekar and appointed me as Collector; the last one having been its first chairman. My journey to that Shankarrao Mohite way back in 1939. afternoon. Protocol and hierarchy are appointment was preceded by a stint as Saheb was thrilled when I told him very important.” He also told me that a collector of the Beed district, followed that I had decided to join the civil as a Government administrator, it was by the collectorship of the Pune services. He telephoned S V Chavan, the now my responsibility to make the Commissioner of Pimpri-Chinchwad. commissioner of Pune and asked him to system accessible to the common man I became the chairman of the NTC give me an appointment. This incident and work for the upliftment of the poor at Nagpur. Whenever Karad was is etched clearly in my memory; Saheb’s and downtrodden dalit population. discussed, it would inevitably lead to a joy and his guidance and training. I have tried my best to live up to his remembrance of Saheb. His memories His words to me on that occasion expectation in all these years. are close to my heart. His favourite are as clear now as they were then: My posting during my initial years disciple Sharad Pawar brought me “Shrinivas, remember one thing,” of probation was at Karveer. Saheb into politics from civil service. It gave he told me, “in a Government job, a was touring that area at the time, and me a great opportunity to follow the person who joins in the morning is he introduced me to the senior leaders teachings of Saheb for the welfare of senior to the person who joins in the present there as his son. His love, society at large. 

March 2012 29 Maharashtra Ahead

Yashwantrao Chavan 30 March 2012 Smt. Venutai Chavan March 2012 31 Maharashtra Ahead

Yashwantrao Chavan in his younger days

Welcoming Mangal Kalash on joyous occassion of formation of Maharashtra State. [1st May, 1960]

Chavan with his wife - life long Yashwantrao Chavan Smt. Venutai Chavan inspiration

Yashwantrao Chavan with senior foreign diplomats Yashwantrao Chavan alongwith Pandit Nehru and Smt. Venutai

32 March 2012 Yashwantrao Chavan and Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Sarhad Gandhi Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan andYashwantrao Chavan

A Great Revolutionary Senapti Bapat andYashwantrao Chavan Smt. Venutai and Yashwantrao Chavan reviewing INS Vikrant in 1964

Dalai Lama and Yashwantrao Chavan The then Governor Shri Prakash and Yashwantrao Chavan

March 2012 33 Maharashtra Ahead

Yashwantrao Chavan with foreign defence diplomats

Yashwantrao Chavan with Babu Jagjivan Ram Yashwantrao Chavan with Acharya Atre

34 March 2012 Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Yashwantrao Chavan in Tashkent, 1966

Yashwantrao Chavan with Acharya Atre Yashwantrao Chavan In a meeting with Smt. Indira Gandhi [1974]

March 2012 35 Maharashtra Ahead

Morarji Desai, Pandit Nehru, Union Minister Sardar Swaransing, former President Yashwantrao Chavan Taking oath as the Chief Minister of the bilingual Mumbai State S. Radhakrishnan and Yashwantrao Chavan

President S. Radhakrishnan administering the oath of office and secrecy to Yashwantrao Chavan as Defence Minister in 1962 . Yashwantrao Chavan in a relaxing mood

Yashwantrao Chavan with troops at Sela Pass Every night Yashwantrao used to read for an hour completely unrelated to his official work 36 March 2012 Yashwantrao Chavan Taking oath as the Chief Minister of the bilingual Mumbai State The Prime Minister and the Defence Minister

Former President Shankar Dayal Sharma and Yashwantrao Chavan Lata Mangeshkar and Yashwantrao Chavan

Trying to keep pace with Pandit Nehru at Pratapgad Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Yashwantrao Chavan March 2012 37 Maharashtra Ahead Mass Appeal Dr Sudam Jadhav travels down memory lane and recalls his first meeting with the charismatic Yashwantrao Chavan, and the impact he left on the people of his country. Ever since I had heard about Yashwantrao Chavan from his party workers and from what I had read in newspapers had left me in deep awe of the man. It prompted me to want to meet the legend in person.

t was just after the emergency, when Indira Gandhi had declared Ithe national elections that I could finally realise my wish. Yashwantrao Chavan, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, was slated to give a speech at Shahganj. I attended the meeting with the sole purpose of hearing the man in person. As expected, the speech was eloquent and the meeting successful. But one question that kept nagging at me was why people called him sahib. The word had deeply negative connotations in those days, what with it being associated with the British rulers who had quit the country just a few decades back. The wounds were still raw and the word an unpleasant reminder. And in complete contradiction, here was a completely Indian leader, a salt of the earth, son of the soil leader nowhere near an echo – at least physically – of the light-eyed, fair-skinned, arrogant British. Yashwantrao was kind, cultured and loving, much more than the word sahib indicated, whom the people loved and respected. Yashwantrao Chavan’s deep and abiding love for literature is well known and he was always a presence at literary meets, when he could take the time from his busy schedule. Such was the case during the Golden Jubilee Conference of Marathi Literature (Sahitya Sammelan) was held at Ichalkaranjee in 1974 with the late PL Deshpande as its chairperson of the meet and Ranjeet Desai as the chairperson of the working committee. Yashwantrao too attended the meet and also gave a speech. A group of protestors had arrived from Every night Yashwantrao used to read for an hour completely unrelated to his official work Kolhapur to create trouble for him but

36 March 2012 he remained unperturbed and spent the time there leisurely talking with Marathi writers. The next literary meet was to be held in Karad, Yashwantrao’s hometown. Predictably, given the deep associations, he himself was the chairperson of the welcome committee on the occasion that saw Durgabai Bharat preside over as chairperson of the meet. This time around the country was going through the upheaval of the emergency, and the writers and intellectuals were in a revolutionary mood. Durgabai, in her speech, was vocally and critical of the Central Government and the emergency, which was listened to with acceptance and an open mind by Yashwantrao, an integral cog in the Government machinery. Needless to say, the three-day event concluded with no disruptions. I finally got an opportunity to meet Yashwantrao Chavan in person when I was pursuing my MA in Marathi literature at the Marathawada University. A study tour of Agra and Delhi was organised by the university for 50 students. After visiting Agra, we proceeded to Delhi. The then Members of Parliament, Manikrao Poladkar and Sayajirao Pandit had made arrangements for our stay in Delhi at the MP quarters. In our four- five-day stay in the capital, we visitited the Parliament, met with then President VV Giri and also had the privilege of meeting Indira Gandhi on the lawns of her bungalow. But we were also very eager to meet Yashwantrao Chavan, an unforgettable event in our young lives. We were taken to his bungalow on Racecourse Road and after a thorough Marathwada to attend a musical out. He was accompanied by former secuirty check, we were ushered into concert. While travelling from minister of Maharashtra Manikrao his house. Yashwantrao and his wife, Aurangabad to Beet, he had graciously Palodkar and MP, Ramraoji. Despite Venutai welcomed us warmly and agreed to an en route stop over at his obvious frail health, Yashwantrao offered us snacks. Yashwantrao then my village, Pendgaon. At the time, got out of the car, folded his hands and showed us his personal library and even he was just a member of parliament acknowledged the love of the people, held discussions with us. The highlight, with no portfolio under his purview. gave his blessings before getting back however, was when he readily agreed Despite that, his popularity was into the car. That was it. Soon after, we to taking a group photograph. He was undiminished and his visit drew got the unfortunate news of his having a true leader of the people, a kind, hoards of his followers and supporters. passed away on November 26, 1984. loving statesman who exemplified true We all stood along the shoulder of He was probably the last of his kind, a leadership. the highway holding garlands and great leader, a visionary and moreover, My last meeting with Yashwantrao flowers at the ready. As his white one who was unanimously loved by the was a few years before his demise, ambassador arrived, he asked his people of his country.  when he was visiting Ambejogai in driver to halt the car and stepped - Sudam Jadhav

March 2012 37 Maharashtra Ahead More of a Statesman Than a Politician He was willing to do what was best for the nation and had no interest in personal gains or glory Yashwantrao Chavan was a great leader and a firm believer in encouraging actions and ideas that he thought had great potential. While a charismatic leader in his political life, he set an example in his personal life too, says Dr. Mohan Dharia Senior Social Worker.

ashwantrao Chavan was born in a poor family to a very Yambitious mother, Vithabai. She harboured great dreams for him, and worked hard to earn money and educate her son. The young Yashwantrao was very hard-working and focussed. Young activists imprisoned for participating in the freedom movement against the British Raj used to get political training in prisons. In the broiling crucible of diverse revolutionary ideologies that young activists were exposed to, Yashwantrao found himself drawn towards the Mohan Dharia and Yashwantrao Chavan humanist philosophy propounded by Manavendranath Roy. candidate for the job. political turmoil in the country. It was Later Yashwantrao assisted After the unfortunate heart attack the decade of the Emergency, and the Krantiveer Nana Patil in the formation of Lal Bahadur Shastri in August formation of the Janata Party, which lost of the underground Patri Sarkar where 1965, a group of MPs Atulya Ghosh, the 1979 elections. Charan Singh had his organisational skills were of much Nijalingappa, Chanobabhan Gupta, SK become the caretaker Prime Minister. value. He was also one of the integral Patil, along with young MPs such as And yet again, a coterie of MPs visited forces behind building the Congress Chandrashekhar, Unnikrishnan and I Yashwantrao to convince him to take on organisation in Maharashtra. In 1946, a met Yashwantrao, accompanied by Om the mantel of prime ministership. There year before India gained Independence, Mehta. Over a course of a marathon two was no one more deserving. And again, Yashwantrao Chavan was elected as hours at his residence at 1 Race Course, he refused. the Parliamentary Secretary of the we tried to convince him to take over Yashwantrao and Venutai were both Congress. It was a party he stayed with the reigns of the country. Yashwantrao, well respected. And Yashwantrao was till his last breath. however, left it to the party high a loyal and loving husband; he stood While an ideal candidate to command. firmly by his wife’s side even while become the Prime Minister of India, Yashwantrao Chavan was a she was suffering from tuberculosis, Yashwantrao Chavan was more of a great leader and a firm believer in which was incurable in those days. statesman than a politician and his value encouraging actions and ideas that he Venutai passed away before him. to the Congress lay more in his skilled thought had great potential. While a Whenever I met him after her demise, eloquence, charisma and organisational charismatic leader in his political life, his eyes would involuntarily fill up abilities. After the China war, before Lal he set an example in his personal life with tears. He was unable to take the Bahadur Shastri succeeded Jawaharlal too. He was willing to do what was best shock of her death and passed away Nehru to the prime ministership, for the nation and had no interest in soon after her. And India lost a great political experts were speculating personal gains or glory. man, that can never been seen again. He on Yashwantrao Chavan as the ideal The 1970s were a period of great was a rare entity. 

38 March 2012 Common Man's Leader He always looked beyond caste, religion and class He was an extraordinary leader who cared for the common man. He always felt responsible and accountable for people’s problem. It is need of hour to follow Yashwantrao Chavan's ideas and thinking today. I hope his centenary year is the harbinger of much-needed change says Ulhas Pawar, Member of Legislative Council

y generation received political guidance from Yashwantrao Chavansaheb. Having Mbeen a part of the youth Congress during that period, I can personally vouch for that. Yashwantrao Chavan was referred by all as Saheb. We used to congregate for discussion at Dadasaheb Chavan’s residence, who was Yashwantrao’s nephew. In the early days after independence, it was mandatory for all Congress workers to attend annual camps, conferences and Chintan Shibirs. Yashwantrao was a major force behind this discipline. National policies were discussed during these camps. The idea was to conduct brainstorming sessions at the grass root level. As young Congress workers, we used to wait eagerly for Saheb’s and Jagjivanbabu’s speeches during these camps. In 1971, I was president of the Maharashtra Yuvak Congress. Saheb was to visit Pune in 1972 to unveil the statue of Maharishi Vitthal Ramji Shinde, which was very close to my residence. I wrote to him, requesting him to visit my house. I went to the airport to receive him, alongwith many senior leaders of the Pune Congress like Shivajirao Dhere, Namdeorao Matey and Bhausaheb Shiroley. Everyone wanted Saheb to visit his house, but Yashwantrao told his PA that he would be visiting mine. The fact that Yashwantrao wanted to visit a junior worker’s house surprised every other leader present there on the occasion. But it was just the mark of the kind of man he was, always encouraging juniors. Just as he had promised, he came to my house on Kabir Chowk. I had rented two rooms in Kirad Wada. His car was unable to enter the small lane, so he got out and walked in from the main road. He came over and we had a wonderful conversation over tea. He seemed to have developed a liking for me and did not bother about status. He was an extraordinary leader who cared for the common man. He also took the pioneering decision to protect and preserve folk art and pulled it out of obscurity. It was Yashwantrao who insisted that tamasha, (a traditional dance-drama of Maharashtra)

March 2012 39 Maharashtra Ahead

The warm send-off by Maharashtra State Employee's Federation was given to Yashwantrao Chavan after becoming Defence Minister be called Lok Kala (folk art). The traditional Marathi sport form of wrestling (kushti) was also promoted. A particular incident comes to mind when I think of his magnanimity. Once, in a meeting at Aurangabad for which he was present, I had given a speech that he had liked. After the meeting, he was unable to find me to convey his appreciation. But he still made it a point to seek me out and commend me on my speech. Even in his personal life, Yashwantrao was a kind and loving person. He loved his mother, who single- handedly brought him up through great The Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan gave visit to Vengurla Nagar Parishad in 1961. To his right P.K. Sawant hardships, and adored his wife, Venutai, whom we used to call Kaki. He wanted to create leaders with a leader from the Republican party He also advised me to contest 1977 healthy attitude. He wanted to create to the Congress. He recommended elections. I, of course, listened to him. He the local self-governments at the rural Bandhalkar, a member of the Ramoshi used to tell us, “Once you are elected, you level as laboratory and workshops for caste, as a Member of Legislative Council, belong to everyone – those who voted such leadership. It was because of him while at the same time, suggesting Dada for you as well as those who opposed that Maharashtra became a pioneering Limaye, a Brahmin, as chairman of the you.” You are the representative of State for the Panchayat Raj. The leader Colaba Zilla Parishad. It is certain that the entire constituency. There was a seeking to enter the State Assembly he would have been deeply disillusioned fakir in Karad, who, while asking for and Parliament were required to go by the current-day election process, alms used to say, ‘May god bless those up the ladder of local self-government. the prevalent castiest attitude and the who give and those who don’t.’ That The Panchayat Raj was supposed to financially-oriented scenario. is how the elected politician should be the training centre for political Today, if the Congress has to be.” He always felt responsible and administrators. move ahead, it is imperative to follow accountable for people’s problems. He He always looked beyond caste, Yashwantrao Chavan’s ideals and once expressed that democracy would religion and class. This helped make the thinking. I hope his centenary year is lose its relevance if differences of Congress party a secular organisation. the harbinger of that much-needed opinion became ego wars which would His politics was of addition. He change.  spiral into envy and jealousies. brought Dadasaheb Gaikwad, a senior As told to Arun Khore

40 March 2012 A Leader with a Difference A rare quality of Yashwantraoji was to get apprised of any issue he would come across. If the officials differed on any issue, he would try to understand it, and convince them about his view if necessary. This showed that at the core, he was a civilized man. He never tried to show off his ministerial authority, says Sharad Kale, General Secretary, Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan.

worked with Yashwantrao Chavan came to Delhi so that I could work with from 1974 to 1977, and again for you. I don’t care which ministry I Isome time in 1979. He didn’t know serve in.’ He took me into Ministry of me when I was posted in Delhi. Sharad External Affairs. Upasani, who had worked with Chavan, One important feature of recommended my name. Chavan was Yashwantrao Chavan’s persona was the Finance Minister when I joined lack of duality as a leader and a person. his office. Soon after, he became the He was a sensitive and cultured Minister of External Affairs. He asked man. His politics was transparent me if I wanted to stay in the Finance and clean. He stood out amongst Ministry or shift to Ministry for the leaders of his time due to his External Affiars along with him. There love for literature, studiousness and was a reason: Other ministries had connoisseurship. He was a discerning IAS officers, but Ministry of External and knowledgeable reader of Marathi Affairs was the domain of IFS. I said, `I literature. He was curious about the Dalit literature that was being published widely then. His studious nature marked his functioning style as a minister. He read the proposals closely. A studious person doesn’t take decision without thinking it thoroughly. Yashwantrao had this quality. He had to make speeches often as the External Affairs Minister. There would be a constant traffic of foreign dignitaries. Yashwantrao often had to deal directly with them at the ministerial level. He made it a point to do homework about the respective country and India’s policy regarding it. Usually such preparation is the job of the officials in the ministry. But Yashwantrao would not be contented. He always used to look for more information. Even prior to foreign tours, he would read up on the country to be visited in addition to the briefing by the Yashwantrao Chavan with foreign senior officers officials. When in London, watching

March 2012 41 Maharashtra Ahead

a play would invariably be on his agenda. He tried to get information about the latest developments on the British stage. In USA, his favourite haunt was book stores. He could easily spend two-four hours in a book shop. His tours would be planned accordingly. I used to carry his money, so it would be my responsibility to pay book bills. He would also keenly visit museums in foreign countries. Yashwantrao believed that museum speaks a lot about the country’s culture. He had this attitude to looking at the things with awareness. He accompanied the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on Russia tour in 1976. In bilateral relations, some issues can be resolved only at the high level. The decision-maker must have a thorough knowledge, because a minor mistake can cost his/her country Attending a meeting as Minister for External Affairs. dear. There is no scope for amendments later. A certain language has to be used. In those days, India and Russia traded in respective local currencies, i.e. Rupee and Rubles. Elsewhere, the trade was conducted in a foreign currency. India and Russia were discussing this issue for long. Andrei Gromyko was then the USSR Foreign Minister. He had a formidable reputation as an international statesman. Indira Gandhi assigned Yashwantrao the task to hold talks with him, though the issue concerned After the 1962 war, Sino-Indian R Narayanan was appointed as our the finance ministry and Yashwantrao relations were being maintained ambassador in Beijing. handled the talks with élan. only at the lower official level, As the External Affairs Minister, Henry Kissinger visited India not at the level of ambassadors. his department did not deal with just 15 days after Yashwantrao took Yashwantrao felt that relations common man’s issues. But he regularly the charge of the External Affairs needed to be restored. In the foreign received letters from the people of Ministry. Sale of American weapons affairs, protocol is very important. It his constituency. Letter-writers looked to Pakistan was then a burning issue. is also important to choose the right upon him as if he were an elderly India needed to assert its avenue of communication. He had person of the family, because he had stand and articulate its worries been the Defence Minister, so he familial relations with the people. The strongly. Yashwantrao did was fully aware of seriousness typical Maharashtrian simplicity was that very well. He exemplified how of the situation between the two very much visible in his behaviour, any task should be accomplished countries. And yet, he felt it was not attitude and dressing. Yashwantrao keeping the nation’s interest at the top advisable to nurture a permanent always had excellent relations with of the mind. If the officials differed adversarial relationship with our big the officials working under him. He on a certain issue, he would try and neighbour. Restoration had to start knew them on the first-person basis. understand it, and convince them at the ambassador’s level, because He was always a stickler for keeping about his own view if necessary. This ambassador could be the conduit to deadlines; I never saw him postponing showed that at the core, he was a reach out to the top Chinese leaders. something to tomorrow that needed to civilized man. He never tried to show Yashwantrao played an important role be done today.  off his ministerial authority. in all this process, and as a result, K As told to Vijay Chormare

42 March 2012 The Man of Principles Yashwantraoji's honesty and selflessness made him the icon of the leaders of his time. Yashwantraoji changed the traditional framework of bureaucracy. He brought in a new structure so that officers, right from Mantralaya to district level, co-operate with the people. He transformed the Maharashtra.

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uch a towering personality period, I came to know Chavan very development. He believed that Yashwantraoji had that closely and it later developed in to a development could not be achieved Swhosoever came across him friendship, rather than a professional without people’s participation. Along felt humble before him. His centenary relationship between a politician with people’s cooperation, a positive year takes me to the down memory. and a journalist. The Samyukta assistance by the bureaucracy too was I am one of the fortunate journalists Maharashtra agitation from 1953 to crucial. who had chance to meet him many a 1960 is a piece of recorded history. Yashwantraoji changed the times. The Delhi leadership wasn’t in favour traditional framework of bureaucracy. It was sometime in 1958-59. of creation of unified Maharashtra. He brought in a new structure so that Yashwantraoji was the Chief Minister. However, after Chavan became the officials, right from the Mantralaya to The Samyukta Maharashtra (Unified Chief Minister of the bilingual state in the district level, cooperate with the Maharashtra) agitation had flared 1956, he met the then Prime Minister people. He transformed Maharashtra, up in Belgaum, Karwar, Nipani and Jawaharlal Nehru many times on this and in the process mentored people. other areas along the Maharashtra- issue and apprised him of the ground Therefore he is aptly called 'the Karnataka border. Nine agitators were realities, the intense feelings of the Architect of new Maharashtra’. In killed in the police firing ordered by people of Maharashtra. He tried his 1962, while he was crafting the erstwhile Belagum district police chief, best to persuade Nehru and eventually policy for Maharashtra's all-round Mr. Lewis. The incident drew an angry succeeded, yet, he did not claim development to make it a model state, reaction across Maharashtra. People the credit for this victory. Instead, Prime Minister Nehru summoned him were furious. Yashwantraoji asked publicly, he credited it to the people of to Delhi. Yashwantraoji had to rush to Maharashtra Congress Committee Maharashtra. the national capital leaving the task President, Rajarambapu Patil, to un-accomplished. However, he left his prepare a fact-finding report. I was a legacy of self-less politics behind. I wish to declare that this part of this delegation headed by Patil He assumed the charge of Ministry State of Maharashtra, recently that visited Belgaum. We heard the of Defence. However, in the years formed, will work for the woes of the ill-fated people. People ahead, he had to take on various narrated the instances of police betterment of the common other responsibilities. He became atrocities. I had made my own notes, people of Maharashtra, but if the External Affairs Ministers, and as a journalist. it comes to sacrifice whatever then went on to become the Deputy A report was prepared by one best and grand we have, it will Prime Minister. During his stay in of the delegates. It did not contain be done primarily for India. This Delhi he carved out a distinct identity details. Patil did not approve it as is so, because , we believe from as a studious and knowledgeable he was to send the report to the the beginning that Maharashtra parliamentarian. Maharashtra Chief Minister and the depends on India; its greatness He received accolades from all Prime Minister. It was necessary that depends on the greatness of over the country and also from the report recorded all the relevant India. All Maharashtrians believe abroad to become a prominent incidents in an objective manner. that both India and Maharashtra national figure. He became so much Patil assigned the task to me. I wrote can progress only when there is a confidante advisor and the fellow up an elaborate report. But MPCC also oneness of interest. cabinet colleague of the Prime needed to articulate, in this report, - Y.B. Chavan Minister Jawaharlal Nehru that in any what justice it expected from the national crisis Nehru used to seek his Centre. Patil contacted Chavan over advice. phone. The Chief Minister asked us to After the new State came into His 22-year tenure at the centre come to Mumbai for a discussion. existence, Yashwantraoji focussed earned him only bouquets and no Patil and I then went to Mumbai all his energies on bringing brick-bats at all. Yashwantraoji was and met Chavan. The report was about an all-round development. the man of principle, ambitions and approved by MPCC’s executive Maharashtra faced problems in sincerity. His honesty and selflessness committee unanimously­ and it was myriad areas: agriculture, education, made him the icon of the young and forwarded to the Prime Minister. industry, irrigation, roads, whatnot. upcoming leaders of his time. In this The effort paid off. The Centre Yashwantrao tried to make the centenary a befitting tribute to late took a serious note of the inhuman people aware of the new challenges, Yashwantraoji would be to imbibe his police firing that had claimed the and primed them to face them. commitment to the nation and to the lives of nine youths. Mr. Lewis was Government took the policy decisions people as well as his integrity.  transferred to Assam. During this and facilitated the finance for the - Rambhau Joshi

44 March 2012 The Pioneer in Many Ways Armed with a progressive outlook and modern vision for State, Yashwantrao was responsible for many firsts With a perspective of Maharashtra's overall development he saw to it that Vidarbha, the part of erstwhile Central Province and Berar, get equal importance and should not feel left out. He took the decision to hold winter sessions of the Assembly in Nagpur.

the administration. In the very first Assembly Session of the Maharashtra State he formed Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya and Sanskriti Mandal December 21, 1960. He initiated awards and prizes for plays and playwrights and started scheme of financial assistance to artists under which Balgandharva was the first to receive honorarium of Rs. 300 and Rajkavi Yashwant was awarded Rs. 400 per month. He established the Vishvakosh Mandal (encyclopedia board) at Wai on May 17, 1962. He appointed a special committee under the chairmanship of Tarkateertha Lakshman Shastri Joshi for the development of literature and With Prime Minister Pandit Nehru laying foundation stone of Koyana dam in 1962 culture, and had many prominent thinkers and intellectuals on its board. popular figurehead both with his State Maharashtra, in consensus with His perspective of development of fellow politicians Yashwantrao the Centre and the members of the Maharashtra as a whole had no bias, AChavan was India’s youngest opposition. malice or discrimination towards Chief Minister when he took over Political leader is his first and natural any region. Therefore, he saw to it the reigns of the bilingual State of identity as he shouldered many an that Vidarbha that was the part of Maharashtra at the age of 42. Loknayak important responsibilities in political Central Province and Berar get equal Jaiprakash Narayan believed him to field. The other side of his personality importance and should not feel left out. be the most efficient Chief Minister in without which his real identity would He took the decision to hold winter the country.Yashwantrao was proudly be incomplete is that of a litterateur sessions of the Assembly in Nagpur. praised for his political efficiency and of a great stature and a connoisseur of In a regime that encouraged administrative skills by then Prime arts with high standing amongst the inclusive growth and development, Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. maestros. Yashwantrao was very particular about Yashwantrao Chavan’s influence He gave Marathi the status of ensuring that each and every citizen, no resonates through the pages of history the official language of the State matter what his background, was well and is embedded, literally in the of Maharashtra and set up the looked after. And in keeping with that State of Maharashtra itself. It was his Directorate of the Marathi Language, policy, he accepted the demands of the decision to name the newly formed thus making Marathi the language of Buddhist community to be considered

March 2012 45 Maharashtra Ahead

backward, and gave the community all the concessions that the Harijans, Dalits and other backward classes were entitled to. The Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial was constructed at the Nagpur Diksha Bhoomi where Dr Ambedkar took his oath and his birth anniversary on April 14 was declared as a state holiday. On the backdrop of the paucity of power that is being faced by the State today, Yashwantraoji's efforts in the field gain much importance. The Koyana Hydroelectricity Project was stated on March 1, 1958 by Yashwantrao, who also inaugurated the first operational generator in the project on May 16, 1962. The Purna Project in Marathwada as well as the Paras Thermal Power Plant in the Vidarbha, were also brought to fruition under Yashwantrao's able leadership During his tenure as the Chief Minister from 1957 to 1962, Yashwantrao took many important At the Convocation of Marathwada University decisions that facilitated people's welfare. He improved the administrative The first ever military education Mumbai State New Farm Labour Act machinery in the State and brought school was started at Satara with his (Mumbai Rajya Nava Kulkaayada) was about revolutionary changes in the efforts. This helped the students get enforced, which served to revolutionize educational, social, cultural and basic training and preparation for land ownership in agriculture. agricultural segments in Maharashtra, the admission test they would have The Land Ceiling Act was made making it India’s most progressive and to undergo for the National Defence applicable in Maharashtra during developed State. Academy (NDA). Yashwantrao’s tenure. The Central Armed with a progressive outlook Industrial sector was also given Government followed the suit and and modern vision for his State, a major boost under Yashwantrao’s made it applicable years throughout the Yashwantrao was responsible for many Chief Ministership by establishing the country after 12. firsts. A Development Commission Maharashtra Industrial Development The State Irrigation Corporation was appointed for planning and Corporation (MIDC). Municipal corpor- was formed under the chairmanship of development. Revenue tribunal ations and local self-governments were SG Barve. The Irrigation Subdivision benches were established at Nagpur encouraged to start industrial zones. was formed and the survey of available and Rajkot in order to decentralize the The Mumbai State Financial water resource was also conducted. administration. Corporation (MSFC) was created to The Worli Dairy was set up in order The Educational Policy of the State provide financial assistance to the to supply milk to the city of Mumbai. was restructured during his tenure industries. It was subsequently called Yashwantrao also introduced a diploma which encouraged vocational education, the Maharashtra State Financial in dairy technology at the Dairy started Foundation Courses, offered Corporation. Technology Institute in Aarey Dairy. scholarships to rural and economically Yashwantraoji promoted Coopera- The Diva-Dasgaon Railway was started backward classes. tive Sector in the rural areas by forming in the Konkan region and Yashwantrao The decision to set up the rural cooperative banks and credit also obtained permission from the Marathwada University at Aurangabad societies. Cooperative banks and land Centre to start the Diva-Panvel line. and the Shivaji University at Kolhapur development banks were also promoted It is he who introduced the Wild to spread education all over the State to provide loans to farmers. Animal Protection Act first that was taken under his leadership. The face of agriculture underwent prohibited hunting and made provision Ashramshaalas were also opened to a drastic transformation under to create sanctuaries.  educate tribals. Yashwantrao’s supervision. The - R Sohani

46 March 2012 An Able Administrator An able administrator, Yashwantraoji was the real task-master and the decision maker.

Once for a scheduled programme volunteers got late. Yashwantraoji did not tolerate it and said, "It is their programme. They should have been on time. People must be waiting for us, let’s not waste time." Such a stickler for efficiency and time he was, says former IAS Officer, S. Rajgopal. S. Rajgopal

March 2012 47 Maharashtra Ahead

would always cherish memories of my association with Yashwantrao I as they are very precious to me. He was very pragmatic leader. I was indeed fortunate to have worked with this foresighted leader. I remember having met Yashwantrao Chavan first time in 1960 when I was the assistant collector of Saurashtra, a district of then Mumbai State comprised major parts of today’s Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat. I was just 27 then. Sir V.T. Krishnamachari, my grandfather, the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission was a good friend of Yashwantrao and he suggested me to opt for a posting in Maharashtra. With rural people of Ladakh dancing on the beat of folk music I worked at Mahad, Panvel, Jalgaon, them to do the needful. He used to mix- for us, let’s not waste time." This was and various other places. I am tempted up with the people and communicated the testimony of the peoples' real leader to mention here that while in Jalgaon with them at ease. He would hold and an able administrator that he was. I was the returning officer when meetings with the officials late night He was a stickler for efficiency and Pratibha Patil (now the President of and the meetings would last till time. Often he would be punctual even India) won her first election as MLA 10 pm. Government projects would be on the tours, especially when he was to from Jalgaon. reviewed. He would check if the official meet people. Yashwantrao was the Chief Minister. information squared with what the After the war with China, austerity He had assigned the crucial task of locals had to say. So the officials had to measures were applied across the drafting a bill on the Panchayat Raj do their homework before coming for country. States were asked to cut the to a committee headed by Balvantrai the meeting. expenses. As a result, the construction Mehta. Abasaheb Khedkar, Narendra Whenever he toured three-four work on Satara CEO’s residence was left Tidke and Yashwantrao himself were villages during a day, locals at each unfinished. When Yashwantrao came closely watching this process. Soon village would arrange for him a meal, to Satara local workers pointed this out the Bill was passed and Zilla Parishads especially non-vegetarian. He knew to him. He saw the incomplete building were set up across Maharashtra. that I was a vegetarian, and would and directed concerned official at once Yashwantrao appointed me as CEO of make sure that I, and other officers, that the construction be completed. Satara Zilla Parishad. had had our meals. Yashwantrao never He opined that the austerity measures Yashwantrao used to visit Satara refused. One day I advised him of not were applicable for new works and not district every week, generally over to eat in every village as that could take for the works that had already began so the weekend. The then Commissioner a toll on his health. He said that the as to leave them incomplete halfway. of Pune Shankarrao Mohite often poor villagers felt a lot better when he He was the real task-master and the accompanied him. They would stay at ate with them. It was a token of their decision maker. the Circuit House. When Yashwantrao affection for the Chief Minister, so he When he left for Delhi to take up toured the rural parts, I doubled up must partake of their food. He was such new assignment at the Centre on as driver, with the Chief Minister a kind-hearted person and a through invitation from the then Prime Minister riding shotgun. Yashwantrao would gentleman that he always respected Jawaharlal Nehru, he asked me to shift take me along because I knew the area peoples' sentiments. the base there. I went to Delhi as a well. I had picked up Marathi. I had Once he was scheduled to attend deputy secretary. Working under him, crisscrossed the whole district, and a program in a village. He was ready, I learnt a lot. The workers coming from could give correct information on any but the local volunteers were yet to Maharashtra received a lot of affection local issue. So Yashwantrao trusted me. turn up. I was ready with the jeep. He from him. Venutai, his wife, too was a He would speak to me in Marathi. sat next to me, and asked, "who are we very warm, affable person. She was a We would visit six-seven villages in waiting for"? I told him that the local decent lady! In Yashwantrao’s absence, a day. Thousands of party workers volunteers were yet come. Yashwantrao she used to look after the relatives and would meet the CM to air their quickly replied, "Let’s go. It is their workers who passed through their grievances. Yashwantrao would programme, they should have come Delhi residence.  personally talk to the officials and ask here on time. People must be waiting As told to Dr. Sambhaji Kharat

48 March 2012 An Ideological Friend He believed that Indian democracy could be enriched and kept free of flaws only if we abide by the Constitution An inspirer, a role model for many, Yashwantrao Chavan was an aficionado of literature and had kept himself apprised of the latest literary trends. Here are the glimpses of the leader from the eyes of a trend-setter writer in Marathi Dalit literature, a new genre, Laxman Mane, senior writer and social worker who calls Chavan an ideological friend.

met Yashwantraoji around 35 years sympathy for the poor. He was of course ago. On one hand I was frustrated the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Iby the poverty and was angry with but more than that, he was a visionary the dehumanizing social system around who dreamed of all-round development me. At the same time, I was exploring of the country. He struggled to secure the brilliant thought of Dr Ambedkar. dignity for the common man, no one I had also come under the influence of has acknowledged this struggle of socialism. I met Yashwantrao at this his. He strived to offer dignity to the juncture in my life. We became friends poorest of the poor workers in the in the very first meeting. rural areas, at the expense of higher When I was a child, I often heard classes. When Yashwantrao became about him from others. Phaltan, where the Defence Minister at the Centre, he I lived, was the place of Yashwantrao’s made Marotrao Kannamwar the Chief in-laws. So this area had a lot of political Minister. Kannamwar, who hailed awareness. In fact I studied in a school from Vidarbha, belonged to Beldar named after Yashwantrao, till Std. XIth community, a nomadic tribe migrated I saw him in person for the first time to Maharashtra from Andhra Pradesh. during the 1957 election. We met much After that he made Vasantrao Naik, the The act which Yashwantrao brought later, in 1973, at Satara. Chief Minister who too belonged to a in on Mahar Watan issue put an end I was then working with Narendra nomadic community. Naik was the Chief to a century-old slavery. Dadasaheb Dabholkar, in Samajwadi Yuvak Dal. Minister for 12 years. Yashwantrao Gaikwad, R D Bhandare, R S Gavai and We conducted several agitations against appealed to the poor, and gave them Dadasaheb Rupwate provided him a Yashwantrao; but he, unlike other dignity. This style of functioning was crucial help in this process. politicians, never tried to evade our indeed praiseworthy, it had a great Yashwantrao also saw to it that the issues. He tackled them head-on. appeal. system did not enslave the untouchables Therefore, not a day passes when I Yashwantrao took along the farmers, again. Though Pandit Nehru influenced don’t remember him. I wrote Upra in farm labourers and those neglected Yashwantrao to some extent, he drew 1980. When Yashwantrao read it, he by the society while trying to deal upon Ambedkar’s thought for achieving liked it very much. with their problems. He was always his goals and executing his policies. He Our relations became firmer. He insistent about implementation of Kul- was a socialist, as well as an egalitarian visited my house which was in a slum Kayda and agricultural land ceiling and a democrat. He never endorsed in Mangalwar Peth area of Satara. We act. Dr Ambedkar had to struggle for regressive ideologies. His objective was became family. He looked upon my long in the Assembly on Mahar Watan empowerment of poorest of the poor, wife, Shashi, as his daughter. It was this land issue. Yashwantrao, it can be said, which the Constitution too expects. So book that brought me closer to him. achieved what Ambedkar had sought on whether or not he resolved the issues Yashwantrao had immense this issue. as per Ambedkar’s thought does not

March 2012 49 Maharashtra Ahead

Pandit Nehru. He knew that social transformation can not start until the feudal system is broken down. He believed that human beings should be empowered therefore he laid the foundation for creation of local civic bodies. The idea was that if the power percolated to the common man, it would accelerate the social transformation. He was a fine writer and an extremely well-read man. Because of his powers of observation and his reading, his writing had the quality of a professional writer’s work. In fact he was a more of a writer than a career politician. His writings centered on the life, not the art. Since he believed that man is at the centre of life, his literary values reflected that. Books such as Krishnakath, Bhumika, Sahyadriche Ware show this clearly. His writings seek and dare to take the society forward. Yashwantrao Chavan’s Library was extremely curious about Dalit Chavan’s library is lined with books on politics, economics, philosophy, social literature. He had a literary friendship science and a large number of novels.He has books in his drawing room, in his with N D Mahanor, Bhalchandra bed room, in he dining room –in every room. The range of books he reads could Nemade, Namdeo Dhasal, Parth be judged from the following titles picked at random: Durants’ The Story of Polke, etc. He had a lot of affection for Civilisation’ Ilya Ehrenburg’s ‘People and life’ ,Simone De Beauvior’s ‘Force of pro-transformation writers. Circumstances ‘,John F. Kennedy’s, The Strategy of Peace ‘, Vladimir Nobokov’s The Congress in which he believed ‘Lolita’, Gunter Grass’s The Tin Drum , Ritchie Calder’s The Inheritors , Pierre was a people’s Congress. The party Teilhard De Chardin’s ‘The Phenomenon of Man’, Henry Miller’s ‘Nexus’, A lbert had then adopted the thought of Camus’s ‘The Fall’, Bertrand Russell’s ‘My Philosophical Development’, Arnold Toynbee’s ‘History of the World’, Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s ‘One Day in the socialist democracy. Yashwantrao Life of Ivan Denisovich’, and Michael Sholokhov’s ’And Quiet Flows the Don’. believed in transformation through He has many titles of Lawrence Durrell, Norman Mailer, Mary McCarthy, J.D. the Parliament. His politics had been Salinger,Graham Greene and C.P. Snow. shaped by democratic values, so he In his young days he was a poet and an essayist. He confessed with insisted that politics must be based on some hesitation that he used to write poetry and added : “ I think everybody the Constitution and the democracy. in his early days is a poet. There is a sort of Poetic age, I would say He also believed that socialism will find through which every one passes. Some write, others don’t. Some of the roots in Maharashtra first. Therefore, poems I wrote were politically motivated.” He is an avid reader and reads as long as he was on the political scene, whenever he can-on journeys, during weekends, at night. He said: “ Every the common people of this country were night I read ffor about an hour something completely unrelated to my assured of security and transformation. official work. “ - Chavan and the Troubled Decade by T. V. Kunhi Krishnan In the times of Yashwanraoji forces of caste, money and muscle-power had not overtaken the democracy. Now the matter here. forward any thought that strayed from democracy is being decimated at every Yashwantrao knew that the the Constitution. The Constitutional step. India being an agricultural country, Constitution could accelerate the social philosophy has the common man at its Yashwantrao promoted agriculture- transformation and give it a direction. centre. It puts greatest emphasis on the based industrialization. Today, we have Therefore, he was very sensitive to the man and his holistic welfare. capitalist economy, which has wrecked Constitution. He believed that Indian Chavan too, in his politics, kept everything. This economy was brought democracy could be enriched and the poor at the centre, and aimed at in by the current establishment, and the kept free of flaws only if we abide by their elevation. He transcended caste common man is suffering because of the Constitution. Whenever he and and creed and endorsed the social it. Those who chant his name must do I discussed anything in the context justice articulated by Mahatma Phule, some introspection on this.  of the Constitution, he never put Chhatrapati Shahu, Dr Ambedkar and As told to Arun Jawle

50 March 2012 An Intellectual Statesman Yashwantrao was successful because of his spotless character, friendly feelings and practical wisdom of Maharashtra Yashwantrao laid the foundation of all-round development. He introduced Education Bill so that the poor should not face any difficulty in educatng themselves. He also adopted the Zilla Parishad Act so that the local bodies could become strong to develop rural areas.

he glorious period of freedom credit goes to his brother Ganpatrao, movement in India proved to who was greatly influenced by the social Tbe a producer of intellectuals revolutionary idealism of Mahatma and men of character who not only Jotiba Phule. Ganpatrao was convinced forgot theirself before the Nation but of the importance of English education gave ideal leadership to India. Several and he readily showed Yashwantrao the personalities were developed in the path of new education despite being movement whose greatness is still an poor. example worth anlysing, understanding, Satyashodhak Samaj’s message of emulating. Innumerable persons right great social revolution was making from the lower strata to the higher powerful impact on the rural areas of strata of society shone like stars in the Maharashtra, especially in the districts firmament of national life in those days. of Nashik , Pune, Satara and Kolhapur Yashwantrao is one such in whose life through intensive propaganda. A new we see the reflection of all these forces freedom movement front was also being of idealism and changing life. launched on a big scale at the same time Yashwantrao was born in a poor in the rural areas and small towns. Congratulating Laxmanshastri Joshi for Padmasri farmers family on March 12 ,1913 and Yashwantrao, who was a witness to his family which had its roots in rural this two conflicting views and thinking, a guiding star in his life. As he was area was living a humdrum life like also came under their influence. These seeing the world with open mind, the hundreds of other rural folk , who never nationwide struggles were started national movement and international experienced any hope , any enthusiasm against the alien rulers under the events influenced his mind when he or any change from their penury; there leadership of Mahatma Gandhi during was a student. He completed his college life had no touch of any development. the three decades almost after a 10- education during the period from 1930- Yashwantrao’s father however, refused 12 year period each and the British 1945 but at the same time he underwent to get suffocated in this dire poverty Imperialism breathed its last at the end political and cultural training during and migrated to the near by town Karad of the last struggle. The first movement his jail trips during the Freedom to sick new pastures, where he got of non-cooperation started in 1920 Movement. Prison was his university employment as a bailiff. and subsided in 1923; 1930 witnessed where he studied Mahatma Gandhi, With the entry of modern urban a civil disobedience movement on a Pandit Nehru and M.N.Roy and also civilization into one’s life new doors of great scale, when Yashwantrao (16) was acquainted himself with the basic development are opened. Of course all studying in a secondary school. ideology of different revolutions in the are not fortunate in this respect. But west. Because of active participation in Yashwantrao was one of those fortunates Participation In Struggle the Freedom Struggle he had hardly whose life began to undergo a radical Being a lively teenager, he any time to thoroughly study text-books. change because of the opportunity of enthusiastically participated in the But through the comparative study of getting English education. For this struggle since Indian Nationalism was Indian conditions, social and political

March 2012 51 Maharashtra Ahead

conditions and different ideologies given the charge of full-fledged ministry. as Parliamentray Secretary in Bombay and philosophies he cultivated a co- But Yashwantrao was not after the his mind was with his villagers and ordinating outlook. Even if he had to power and accepted happily whatever relatives. His brother, Ganpatrao compromise with principle, he never came his way. He was pleased that was suffering from T.B. Ganpatrao’s swerved from the path of idealism. he secured a seat in the Government. wife also caught this disease, while Morarji Desai was Home Minister. Then attending her husband, young Venutai, People’s Teacher Morarji Desai learnt that this young Yashwantrao’s wife was engrossed in In the freedom movement, he was man could not be firmly established taking care of these two patients and a devoted follower and participated in the Bombay administration till he she also caught T.B. .Ganpatrao died in it with all his heart into it. These was able to secure a honorable place in December 1947 and his wife also freedom struggles not only developed in Maharashtra’s politics. He felt that followed soon after. Yashwantrao now Yashwantrao’s thinking power but also it was necessary to train Yashwantrao, had to undertake the responsibility his oratory. He developed a style of his an able youth from the common strata of bringing up Ganpatrao’s children. own and spoke with the masses and of the rural area. So Morarji inquired In the meanwhile Venutai’s sickness opened his heart to them, talked with of Yashwantrao courteously and asked developed much and any how she them in a friendly manner. His speech him to join the Home Ministry. How became fit after taking treatment of was an intimate talk with his audience. could Yashwantrao refuse to accede to Dr. Johnson, a missionary doctor of Oratory is one of the essential arts in a such a courteous request? He joined Miraj. democracy. Yashwantrao never wanted Morarji as his Parliamentary Secretary. to conquer the gatherings or meetings. Morarji belonged to the tradition Assumes Chief Ministership He spoke as if he was a teacher of British officers. Yet Yashwantrao The agitation for reorganization of States explaining the things in a simple style, on linguistic basis gathered momentum a heart-to-heart talk. Yashwantrao not only in Maharashtra but in the whole desired to nurture democracy and a country. The Congress high command leader of democracy must be a people’s was doubtful about the formation of teacher like Yashwantrao. States on linguistic basis, nevertheless demand for such State was proclaimed Underground Leader everywhere through meetings and In the ‘Quit India’ movement of 1942 various media. In Andhra Pradesh this Yashwantrao led Satara district. He problem assumed serious proportions obtained law Degree in 1941. However and Pandit Nehru unwillingly gave instead of concentrating on legal his consent to the formation of the practice he took burden of the political skillfully tried to become the pet separate Andhra Pradesh. Agitation leadership of Satara district on his of Morarji and became a good for Samyukta Maharashtra was broad shoulders. He married Venutai, a administrator like Morarji. Morarji was launched as far back as in 1946, in beautiful damsel from a cultured family stern and stubborn, but Yashwantrao which the litterateurs took lead. This on June 2, 1942 and the marriage was was able to please him and learnt the agitation started by literary persons celebrated with great pomp and show. pros and cons of police administrative become people’s agitation later on and But immediately afterwards he had machinery. the Government of India constituted to lead the underground movement During 1948-49 there was a the Fazal Ali Commission to go into and Yashwantrao was the youngest spate of Hindu-Muslim riots. At the problem of formation of States one among the leaders of ‘Quit India’ that time Yashwantrao restructured on linguistic basis and its report was movement. He was elected to the the Homeguards organization and published in October 1955. At that time Legislative Assembly 1946. established a sort of army of volunteers even the Congress Party was seized with who could protect themselves and the problem of Samyukta Maharashtra Parliamentary Secretary others. He disciplined the civil supplies and agitations over it. The Maharashtra Bombay is in a way the economic capital Department. Yashwantrao was the lover Provincial Congress Committee of India. This city was the nucleus of art and folk arts, he also appreciated unanimously passed a resolution of all cultural, religious and political classical literature and he was calling for the formation of Samyukta activities in India before Independence. enamoured of folk dances and ‘Shahiri’ Maharashtra. But the Commission Yashwantrao went to live in this played on the beat of ‘duf’ and ‘dholki’. did not accede to the demand of Bombay, when he assumed the post of He was the first Minister who succeeded Maharshtrians and the Congress broke Parliamentary Secretary on April 14, in giving Government recognition to the into two groups-radical and liberal. 1946 in the Kher Ministry. His friends ‘Tamasha- Maharashtra’ popular folk Bhausaheb Hiray was the leader of the and relatives in Satara Ardently desired dance. radical group. The agitation for the that Yashwantrao should have been Though Yashwantrao was working Samyukta Maharashtra was getting

52 March 2012 fierce and fierce and Bhausaheb Hiray fully backed the agitation. Yashwantrao Chavan was from the beginning for the Samyukta Maharashtra but he was not ready to break away from Congress for that cause and participate in the struggle. After the 1956 elections the Congress Party was divided and instead of Morarji, Yashwantrao stood for election as the legislature party leader and he got elected.

Formation of Maharashtra The bilingual Bombay State was formed on November 1, 1956. Yashwantrao Chavan became Chief Minister. At that time the Samyukta Maharashtra agitation had assumed a state-wide Father Shri. Balwantrao Mother Smt. Vithabai fierce nature. The whole of Maharashtra was pulsating with great morchas and 62 Yashwantrao laid the foundation Afterwards, he excelled as Finance mammoth meetings. During Morarji’s of all-round development of Minister, External Affairs Minister and regime from 1952-56 as many as Maharashtra. He introduced the Home Minster at the Centre. 105 persons had become martyrs for Education Bill so that the poor should In 1977, the Congress under the Samyukta Maharashtra. Yashwantrao not face any difficulty in educating leadership of Indiraji suffered defeat had to take the reins of the bilingual themselves. He also adopted the Zilla at the Lok Sabha polls. Afterwards till State against this background. No Parishad Act so that the local bodies 1980 Yashwantrao Chavan and the late doubt it was a courageous decision could become strong to develop the Prime Minister Gandhi had a difference of Yashwantrao and he publically rural areas. He explained the network of opinion and they parted company. proclaimed that he would not use of co-operative societies and led the Yashwantrao felt sorry for this guns to rule the new State and basis of Maharashtra’s agro-industrial separation and repentant Yashwantrao really he administered the State ably development. His fame as a mature returned to Congress (I) in 1981. and skillfully. statesman, politician spread throughout During the last four years, Ultimately he explained to the country during this period. The Yashwantrao had to face various Pandit Nehru and other leaders Indian rulers were lulled by the slogans domestic and family problems Dr. Raja that the Gujarati and Marathi speaking of Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai and the Chavan, his nephew, who was almost people are not willing to live together Chinese betrayed India and attacked a son to him died in a motor accident. in the same state and brought round her in October 1962. Krishna Menon, His lifelong companion, Venutai them to his views. He explicitly told friend of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru expired on June 1, 1983. He was sorely them that if the bilingual experiment who was the Defence Minister at that grieved, almost lost interest in life. continued the Congress rule will be time had not any inkling of the Chinese But gradually he overcame his grief. a thing of the past in Gujarat and betrayal. People were angry with him, He accepted the championship of Maharashtra in the next elections. The the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha the Eighth Finance Commission and high command therefore agreed to demanded his removal from the submitted his report to the Government. form the Samyukta Maharashtra ministry. A demand was made that He went on doing all the work entrusted consisting of Western Maharashtra, Yashwantrao should be made Defence to him as MP. His mind was quite Marathwada, Vidarbha and Konkan Minister. at ease and peaceful during the last with Bombay as its capital. Accordingly year or so. He used to say, ‘I have now the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adopted As Union Minister not to gain anything. I have offered the bill and Maharashtra State was Yashwantrao had run Maharashtra’s my services to the Janta Janardan’. formed under Yashwantrao Chavan’s administration, keeping in view the He was falling in health but nobody leadership on May 1, 1960. Yashwantrao future development of Maharashtra. thought that the death was knocking his was successful during the fifteen year But as he was invited by the Prime door. He died on November 25, 1984, period from 1946-60 because of his Minister to perform the task of after a brief illness while dutiful serving spotless character, friendly feelings and Defence Ministry, he unwillingly gave the Nation.  practical wisdom. up Chiefministership of Maharashtra - Tarkateerth Laxmanshastri Joshi During the six year period from 1956- and assumed the charge of Defence. (Reproduced from Lokrajya March 1985)

March 2012 53 Maharashtra Ahead Yashwantrao Chavan and the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement Yashwantrao Chavan bore the wrath of the people at the peak of Samyukta Maharashtra movement, but became the winner ultimately. Sensing the mood of people Jawaharlal Nehru accepted the proposal that the new State be called Maharashtra and chose Yashwantraoji as the first Chief Minister.

ashwantrao Chavan’s Cabinet Minister in 1952. At this time controversial role in Samyukta the demand for Samyukta Maharashtra YMaharashtra Movement proved including Bombay city was widely a turning point in his career as a known that Prime Minister Jawaharlal politician. Though Y. B. Chavan was Nehru, Chief Minister Morarji Desai always a staunch supporter of Samyukta and veteran Congress leaders such as Maharashtra including the city of S.K.Patil were opposed to the demand Bombay, he refused to leave the Indian of Marathi-speaking people for a National Congress when the Congress unilingual State of Maharashtra with High Command, the Congress working Bombay as its capital. The Samyukta Committee and the Government Maharashtra Parishad, an All Party of India rejected the demand for a organization, formed in 1946 and led by unilingual state of the Marathi-speaking Shankarrao Deo and Bhausaheb Hiray, people and decided to create the bigger was trying to achieve its objective by bilingual Bombay State. At the peak of restoring to methods of persuasions the agitation for Samyukta Maharashtra and negotiations. Though Chavan with Bombay city as its capital, he had was never an active and enthusiastic to incur the wrath of many people in participant, he continued to associate Maharashtra. group with a separate constitution and a himself with the Samyukta Maharashtra As a student, Chavan had participated separate programme. When Keshavrao Parishad despite his misgivings about in the Salt-Satyagraha campaign Jedhe, Shankarrao More, Bhausaheb Shankarrao Deo’s strategy of forging an launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930- Raut, Nana Patil, Tulsidas Jadhav and all-party front. 1932 and had courted imprisonment. others left the Congress to form a new In 1953, when the appointment of During the Quit India campaign in 1942, party called the Peasants and Workers the States Reorganisation Commission he evaded arrest for quite some time Party on June 13, 1948, Chavan and was under active consideration of the and organized resistance to the British his friends chose to remain in the Government of India, both Deo and Government in Satara district. In 1946, Congress. Bhausaheb Hiray took over Hiray tried to secure the unreserved he accepted, after some hesitation, as the President of the Maharashtra support of all Congressmen from B.G.Kher’s offer to join the Bombay Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Maharashtra and persuade them to Cabinet as a Parliamentary Secretary. and Chavan was regarded as his trusted play an active role in the work of the Like many others, he shared the feeling lieutenant. Samyukta Maharashtra Parishad. that the masses in Maharashtra were not In 1952, though Morarji Desai was Assuring his support to Deo in this adequately represented in the Congress defeated in his home constituency of cause, Chavan expressed his personal Ministries of Bombay in 1937 as well as Balsar, he was unanimously elected as opinion in a letter to Deo on 16th June in 1946. Yet when attempts were made the leader of the Legislative Congress 1953 and suggested that the solution to form a ginger group called Congress Party and appointed as the Chief to the question should not be sought Shetkari Kamkari Sangh, he opposed Minister of Bombay State. Chavan was through agitational politics. He believed the idea of forming such an intra-party inducted in the Bombay Cabinet as a that their immediate objective should

54 March 2012 be to bring about an agreement among the Pradesh Congress Committee of Hyderabad, Vidarbha, Nagpur, Maharashtra and Bombay. He requested Deo to guide them without any inhibition and assured him that as far as his relations with Hiray were concerned, he would not allow anything to come between them because of personal considerations. It seems that coming events were already casting their shadows in June 1953 and Deo, perhaps, tried to forestall a possible attempt of Morarji Desai to weaken the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement by pitting young and ambitious Chavan against his senior colleague, Bhausaheb Hiray after creating a rift between them. for discussions. precipitated a crisis by issuing a whip Memorandum to SRC In their talks with Jawaharlal that if any Congress Legislator wished The Samyukta Maharashtra Parishad Nehru, Maulana Azad and Gobind to speak on the Government resolution decided to submit a single memorandum Ballabh Pant a stalemate was reached. based on the three-state formula , to the States Reorganisation Commission Deo, in consultation with renowned he must make a speech in its favour (SRC). This, however was not acceptable economist Dhananjayrao Gadgil, or abstain from voting. This attempt to an influential section in the MPCC decided to propose the formation of a to gag all criticism was resented by consisting of B.M. Gupte. Deokinandan bigger bilingual Bombay state including several Marathi-speaking Congress Narayan, Malojirao Naik-Nimbalkar, Mahavidarbha as an alternative Legislators including Hiray and G.D.Tapase and T.R.Deogirikar. With solution.In an emergency meeting Naravane who were willing to resign. the help of N.V.Gadgil and Y.B.Chavan, hurriedly called at H.V. Pataskar’s However, Chavan felt that such an Shankarrao Deo succeeded in residence on 19th October 1955, action would prove unwise and suicidal persuading the Executive Committee Chavan lost his temper and accused for the Maharashtra Congress. About of the MPCC to drop its earlier plan Deo of betraying them and making the 30 legislators led by him decided to of sending a separate memorandum to new move without taking them into remain absent or abstain form voting the S.R.C. confidence. He threatened to go back when 116 Congress legislators handed On October 4, 1955 an informal to Bombay and refused to accompany over their letters of resignation to meeting of the Maharashtra leaders the Maharashtra delegation which was Hiray. Chavan and his friends refused was held at D.K.Kunte’s residence scheduled to meet at Azad’s residence to toe the line. Chavan's defiant posture and along with Hiray, Deogirikar and for third and final meeting. In order to was denounced by Maharashtra T.R. Naravane, Chavan assured Deo pacify Chavan, Deo gave an assurance Congress leader as betrayal. Deo had that he would do everything to make that in their meeting with the Congress undertaken a fast for five days to atone it impossible to run a bilingual state High Command, he would not ,on his for misdeeds of a large section of the if it was brought into existence on the own, propose the alternative of a bigger audience which had heckled Morarji recommendation of the SRC. In his bilingual Bombay State. But he did not Desai and S.K. Patil and hurled stones memories Sahnkarrao Deo admits that keep the promise and in retrospect he and shoes at them in public meeting he was surprised as well as pleased to felt that it was but natural for Chavan on 20th November 1955. The fasting find Chavan determined to oppose the to draw his own conclusions about the leader lost his temper and made certain bilingual state. The SRC not only rejected way in which Deo was conducting the disparaging remarks against Chavan. the demand for Samyukta Maharashtra negotiations. When Deogirikar conveyed to Chavan but also excluded Mahavidarbha from gist of Deo’s comments. Yashwantrao the ‘balanced’ bilingual state of Bombay Stormy Phase felt insulted and decided not to call by proposing its formation as a separate 8th November 1955 marked the on Deo for further discussion. On State. When the Maharashtra Congress beginning of particularly stormy December 1, 1955 he raised the banner leaders appealed to the Congress High phase in the Samyukta Maharashtra of revolt at the meeting of the North Command, the Congress President Shri Movement in which there was an Satara District Congress Committee U.N. Dhebar, invited Deo, Hiray, N.V. unprecedented outburst of violence held at Phaltan in the Manmohan Gadgil, Deogirikar, Kunte and Chavan and police repression. Morarji Desai Palace. In his frontal attacks on Doe’s

March 2012 55 Maharashtra Ahead

leadership, Chavan declared that he was possible because of the support of drew their resignations in accordance was not at all in favour of resignations 21 rebel congressmen guided by T.R. with the MPCCs delightfully vague and strikes. He also reiterated what Naravane. On December 26, Morarji and innocuous resolution of January he had said in 1953 that given the Desai retaliated by asking Narvane to 28, 1956. choice between Nehru and Samyukta resign from the cabinet. The MPCC Maharashtra he would always prefer leaders could not make up their minds C.D. Deshmukh’s the former. Chavan raised a hornet’s whether they should accept a city- Resignation nest by this speech and his reported State of Bombay or make Bombay Only the union finance Minister Shri. remark indicating preference for Nehru city a centrally administered area. In a C.D. Deshmukh resigned on this issue against Maharashtra was often quoted radio-broadcast on January 16, 1956, and his resignation was accepted on by his critics for many years. What he Jawaharlal Nehru formally announced July 26, 1956. Deshmukh’s resignation meant thereby was that he preferred the Government’s decision to make accelerated the pace of events to such the wider national perspective as Bombay a centrally administered an extent that within a fortnight, represented by Nehru against the city. This was followed by serious the idea of a bigger bilingual Bombay demand for Samyukta Maharashtra. disturbances in Bombay which State was accepted by the Parliament. Which was confined to only one part according to Pro-Samyukta As Morarji Desai was willing to of India. Widespread impression in Maharashtra Writers led to the death- accept the leadership of the Congress Maharashtra was that Chavan and his toll of 105 persons who died as a result Legislative Party of the New State only colleagues were dancing to the tunes of indiscriminate police-firing. The if he was chosed unanimousely and as of Morarji Desai who was believed to Marathi speaking cabinet members Hiray had decided to contest against have master minded the intra-party including Hiray and Chavan did not him, Morarji had to withdraw from the wrangle. The feeling persisted that care to protest even once in cabinet contest. In a straight contest between it was a command performance and meeting against the high handed Hiray and Chavan on Octobet 16,1956, Chavan, Naik- Nimbalkar and Tapase manner in which Morarji Desai handled the latter secured 333 votes against had readily obliged Morarjibhai who the situation in Bombay. In its meeting 111 polled by Hiray thanks to the solid wished to dislodge both Deo and Hiray on January 19, 1956, the MPCC called support given by the Congress MLAs as the leaders of MPCC. on Ministers and Legislators to tender from Gujarat, Kachcha ,Saurashtra and On December 22, 1955, the Bombay resignation. Chavan supported this Bombay city. Municipal Corporation passed a move but when the Congress working resolution moved by opposition Committee passed a resolution on Change in Leadership Style corporators demanding the inclusion January 23, all ministers including When Chavan took over as the Chief of Bombay city in Maharashtra. This Hiray and Chavan promptly with Minister of Bombay State, the stock of

56 March 2012 the Congress had reached an all- time stalwarts such as N.V. Gadgil, H.V. holding the bilingual State together. low in Western Maharashtra which Pataskar, P.K. Sawant and D.K. Kunte Those who moved in the corridors of was always considered to be a strong were defeated in the election. For at power were aware that the Bombay hold of the Party. It was extremely least six months after the election the Cabinet was divided into two clear difficult, if not impossible for the MPCC leaders had to adopt defensive groups and with great difficulty Chavan Congress men to organize or address posture as the initiative remained with was able to recouncil their demands. public meetings. Stones and shoes the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti Nine men Committee was appointed were hurled at the dais and the leaders for quite some time. Chavan slowly to help the new Congress President had to be escorted to safety very often tightened his grip over the organization Shrimati Indira Gandhi in studying by the police who had a grueling time wing of the Congress Party. He replaced the problem. Pant was the Chairman controlling the angry crowds greeting the old guards or their disciples by his of this Committee. The territorial them with black flags or trying to break supporters .He made a carefully planned aspects of the final deal did not present the police –cordon and besieging their bid to rehabilitate the Maharashtra much of a problem since Chavan cars or chanting slogans in favour of Congress by inviting Nehru to unveil agreed to give away the Dang district Samyukta Maharashtra. the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji on and several villages in Thane and West With Chavan in power, there was Pratapgadh on November 30, 1957. Khandesh district to Gujarat. The distinct change in the style of leadership. Evidently, the MPCC leaders wanted controvery centered round the financial The tone of his speeches was persuasive to cash in on the Prime Minister’s visit aspects of bifurcation. Chavan agreed to and his manners suave. He spoke with and prove that they could mobilize the provide financial assistance for a period restraint and carefully chose his words. support of the people in the rural areas. of 10 years. Unlike Morarji Desai, there was no stress Entire Government machinery was The only aspect of the Bombay of self-rightousness or sermonizing geared up and effectively used to prove Reorganisation Bill 1959 on which the in his speeches. By and large, he that the Congress was not a spent force Congress High Command eventually did not make hard hitting speeches in Western Maharashtra. respected sentiments of the people of and was always prepared to admit By whipping up the castiest feelings Maharashtra was regarding the name publically, the validity of certain MPCC managed to rehabilitate itself of the State. P.K. Atre ,who earlier had objections raised by his critics. He and staged a rapid recovery. effectively used both humor and rhetoric accepted constructive criticism and in the Samatis election campaign in disarmed the opposition by conceding Bifurcation 1957 had to launch once again vigorous the need to change the policy of the The Congres however, continued campaign against Congress High Government within the framework to loss by-elections and its reverses Command for deliberately deleting the of the bigger bilingual state. He often in Bombay city and in Marathwada name Maharashtra. Sensing the mood made attempts to cajole or convience caused consternation. S. K. Patil urged of people both Nehru and Chavan opposition leaders who had formed the Prime Minister to re-examine the accepted the proposal that the new State the militant Samyukta Maharashtra earlier decision. He could see that the be called Maharashtra. Chavan became Samiti after the eclipse of the all- party voters in Maharashtra were likely to the first Chief Minister of unilingual Parishad. His policy looked like a policy be won over to their side unless the Maharashtra State when it came into of appeasement. Yet, in fact, it turned demand to bifurcate the bigger bilingual existence on May 1, 1960. He claimed out to be a shrewd move to weaken the State was conceded by the Congres that the goal was achieved through opposition which was prevented from high command. In a speech at negotiation to concede in the Bombay fully exploiting the only issue to its Aurangabad on August 23 1958. Legislative Assembly that the success advantage. Being an astute polititan he Jawaharlal Nehru declared that ,’If was not entirely due to their efforts but knew how absolutely necessary it was by peaceful methods parliament were was the ultimate success of the people to soothe the feelings of the Marathi- persuaded to revise its earlier decision, themselves. It is true that the final deal speaking people and help them in he would not stand in the way.’ In was reached through negotiations but healing their wounds. October 1958, Nehru broched the cannot be forgettable to that they were By repeatedly asserting in public subject of bifurcation of Bombay State preceded by a sustained and vigorous meetings that the bigger bilingual in his talk with Chavan at Hyderabad. agitation. Bombay State had come to stay, he According to S. Gopal the biographer A powerful mass movement seemed to be making a sincere attempt of Nehru a private meeting was held by organized by the two opposition to ensure the success of the new set up. Prime Minister to consider the issue in alliances in the State. The realization In the second general elctions of March all aspects and the meeting was attended of the goal was a result of response 1957, he manged to scrape through by Pant, Morarji Desai and Chavan. given by ruling party to the formidable by a narrow margin of less than 1700 Sensing the mood of the decision – challenge of opposition.  votes. However many Congress leaders makers Chavan had already informed - Dr. Y. D. Phadke from Western Maharashtra including them of his increasing difficulties in (Reproduced from Lokrajya March 1985)

March 2012 57 Maharashtra Ahead Yashwantrao's Contribution as a Statesman Yashwantrao Chavan proved himself as a distinguished statesman. Yashwantrao Chavan proved himself as one of the best administrators of the country. He also proved himself as distinguished statesman. He merged himself in the task entrusted to him with accuracy and with credibility. He used the machinery of power for the lower strata of society and bring equality in social life which was the aim of socialism. ashwantrao Chavan was indeed a of Legislative authority. It was limited form their own ministries, wherever seasoned administrator. Like all to the extent of a Governor appointed they got substantial majority. This Yother Congress leaders he moved by a foreign power overruling the step was contested by a large section from the field of agitational politics authority of a popular ministry. The of Congressmen, who were called no- into administration after the elections representatives, elected by the people changers while Gandhi and his staunch of 1937. He was also inexperienced in under the constitution were also elected followers stood against acceptance of the art of governing, like those who with a small franchise. They could not limited power. formed Congress Ministries under therefore be called to represent the The change of strategy–from struggle the new reforms introduced by the broad masses of the people, who were to acceptance of power-was advocated British Government. That was the virtually denied voting power. And yet by Sardar Patel and others with a view step which the Congress took towards the Congress Leadership decided not to having experience of administration enjoying power under a limited form only to fight the elections but also to so that the Congress could wield power

Monitoring the Armed Forces

58 March 2012 systematically and with imagination when the nation succeeds in getting independence. The acceptance of power was a new experience for Congressmen. Yashwantrao Chavan was one of those who got the opportunity of having this experience. He began his career as a Parliamentary Secretary to Shri Morarji Desai who was the Home Minister of the Bombay Government. That was the beginning of Chavan’s administrative career which developed into post of authority- as minister, as Chief Minister of Bi-lingual Bombay, Chief Minister of Maharashtra State and then on to Delhi as Defence Minister and a never-ending chairs of responsibilities of all kinds of Communicating with Troops Ministers. which was the main aim of socialism. unity was on the issue of split in the Ablest Administrator As a socialist his inclination was Congress. The intransigence of the old Shri Chavan proved himself as one of the towards the poor people –the peasants, leadership of the Congress defeated best administrators of the country. He workers and the lower middle classes. that idea and the split in the Congress also proved himself as a distinguished Whenever he wielded administrative continued, resulting in the success of statesman. It is surprising how Chavan power, he thought of the measures Indira Gandhi whom Chavan supported merged himself in the task entrusted to which could be adopted to improve the with conviction as the majority leader him with unfailing accuracy and with life of the common people to remove of the Congress and the Congress distinct credibility not only among the injustice being heaped upon the Parliamentary Party. As a matter of the leaders but also in the general labourers by vested interests, to open fact, Chavan could have utilized the public. Chavan’s great asset was the avenues of work for agriculturists, and chaotic condition prevailing at the time thoughtfulness, his sobriety and his to remove unemployment among the for his personal ends. There was every demeanour to be loyal to his friends and middle classes. He performed all these possibility that he could have emerged supporters and he possesses generous tasks with statesmanship. He allowed as the dominant leader of the Congress understanding of his opponents. In all the industrialists to open new factories, with the Prime Ministership falling at his political and administrative life of particularly in the rural areas, but at his feet. But Chavan had a conscience over fifty years, Chavan never made the same time he persuaded them to fix and higher ideals of life. His whole enemies or one may say, he succeeded remunerative wages for the workers. In politics was based on values – moral in neutralizing his opponents. His his regime industrial relations improved and intellectual. He therefore never contribution as a statesman has been because of the introduction of labour succumbed to petty personal interests, the result of his deep study and deeper laws which gave protection to workers but maintained an dispassionate meditation. The study enabled him to in their disputes with the industrialists. outlook on life, which he consider choose his line of thinking –regarding Chavan was essentially a man of higher than politics. political philosophy, social orientation consensus, and not of conflict though He was a dedicated person. and practical administration. In all these fought relentlessly. Almost ruthlessly in Dedicated to politics of his choice, matters he allowed himself to be guided the struggle for freedom. But that was social ideals of his conviction and by those whom he chose as leaders. In for the freedom of the country from administrative methods emanating politics his one adorable leader was foreign rule. When independence was from his conscience. To him ideals were Jawaharlal Nehru. He imbibed the established Chavan changed his whole guidelines . Therefore he fought politics doctrines of socialism though Nehru, line of thinking and became an advocate on the base of ideals. Ideals on social and Chavan never swerved from the of consensus in all matters of conflict. development gave him real inspiration. path chosen by Nehru. This could be visualise in his taking the Chavan did not become a doctrinaire An Act of Statesmanship lead in calling for bank nationalization socialist. Like Nehru he brought the His most remarkable achievement in the interests of the common people in doctrine of socialism into practical life. was when he requested the method the land-particularly those living in the He used the machinery of power for of consensus, in choosing a successor village and suffering poverty due to lack the upliftment of the lower strata of to Jawaharlal Nehru. That was an act of finance. Chavan’s statesmanship lay society and bring equality in social life of statesmanship, as his resolution on in the way he advocated this measure,

March 2012 59 Maharashtra Ahead

Maharashtra Government into vehicles of thought which guided the estimates of this nation. Yashwantrao Chavan, came sharply into prominence as Nehru’s trusted follower to spread, propagate and co-ordinate his ideas on Socialism, Secularism and Democracy. Among all the provinces Maharashtra represented a glorious tradition not only of social reform but also of social revolution built up by a galaxy of leaders like Jotiba Phule, Shahu Maharaj and Dr. Ambedkar. Chavan took up the threads left by them with enthusiasm and understanding and co-ordinated them with modern thought propounded by Marx, M.N.Roy and Nehru. Chavan With Robert Mackonmare, Air Force General of America and others never felt ill at ease with democratic or socialist thinkers or originators during the formation of linguistic of religious philosophies like Dr. provinces. It was he who did not allow Babasaheb Ambedkar or humanist himself to be carried away by passions philosophers like M.N.Roy. He was to the extent of undermeaning the perhaps the only modern thinker in the power and prestige of Nehru and Congress, besides Nehru, who could relied solely on persuasive methods attempt to plan a new life for the nation to establish the Maharashtra State. and give it a practical shape through Those who came to scold at him in planning, research and invention. the beginning remained to pray at his Yashwantrao Chavan encouraged all through a resolution of the Maharashtra feet when he achieved the goal. He these processes as best he could as Chief Provincial Congress Committee. This naturally became the Chief Minister Minister of Maharashtra and Defence resolution paved the way for Indira of Maharashtra. Since then he ruled and Finance Minister of India. Gandhi to take the decision about bank so wisely, humanly and progressively, His clear thinking on the issues nationalization. Chavan kept himself that his name came to be prominently before the nation and his insight into out of publicity, though he was the recognized as one of those few Chief modern thoughts on management and moving spirit behind this measure. Ministers who could dawn the mantle organization strengthened the basic of Nehru as the successive Prime structures which created and brought Decentralisation Minister of India. Man of the stature of vitality and life into the workings of On the issue of decentralization Jaiprakash Narayan freely mentioned these structures. Chavan’s name may of power, Chavan inspired the him as the possible successor to Nehru. remain buried in these files of the Maharashtra Government to launch Government. But those who would look steps in this direction. While in Delhi Contribution To into these files deeply, in course of time and in the vortex and heat of political Thought –Process will give their verdict that this peasant power, Chavan the thinker, continued When the history of 37 years of India leader coming from a humble family of to remain a guide not only to the after independence will be traced, Maharashtra, contributed a great deal Maharashtra Congress, but also to Chavan’s contribution to national to the building up of the nation after the Maharashtra Government. He growth and endeavour will claim a the achievement of independence and allowed Vasantrao Naik, Chief Minister distinguished place comparable to all created a niche for himself both as an of Maharashtra to take the credit those great leaders of India who built administrator and a statesman among for introducing Zilla Parishads and up the nation, enriched its tradition and the tallest leaders of the country. Panchayat Raj in Maharashtra. But as embellished its prestige and reputation. His contribution to the thought the supreme leaders of Maharashtra all Chavan with his philosophical outlook, process and progressive re-orientation the knowing people recognized Chavan his enthusiastic support to social of the society, will remain ever as the architect of this new experiment revolutionary programmes, and his enshrined not only in the history of of peoples’ power being established at practical drive towards bringing these Maharashtra but of India.  the root level. ideas into action, paved the way for - D.B. Karnik His statesmanship came to light making Maharashtra Congress and (Reproduced from Lokrajya March 1985)

60 March 2012 My Ideology We reproduce the speech delivered by Yashwantrao Chavan at Nagpur, responding to his felicitation on the occasion of his 47th Birthday on 30 March 1961 In the history of India, there started a new era during the freedom struggle. Owing to the achievement and merit of the leaders of this country, during the era of Tilak and Gandhi, there developed a situation in this country, a kind of atmosphere where whoever took initiative in this atmosphere, became great by the blessings and virtues of these great leaders

am fully satisfied by the shower felicitate someone, we must do so with people who wish to develop themselves of your love upon me. There is regard to this force. That force did not honestly, peacefully, and through hard Inothing that I should demand now cease with the passing away of Gandhiji; labour. But, humanity is a power today as an individual. on the contrary, it went on growing. It is and an outlook. We must all think about But having said all these things, that force which awakened our minds, the way we can make this humanistic I want to put before you one view and, it is the same force which gave us attitude successful, healthy, powerful, which is not that of the worship of an our freedom. So, we have to generate a and onward-going. It doesn’t matter, individual. When I try to look at my life new strength from this force which has then, whether you are in Maharashtra from a certain distance an idea strikes developed in our life, and established or Gujarat; Laos or America; Russia or me. The idea is that there emerges such economic and social equality. This is anywhere else. This is the real problem a powerful force, during a certain period the responsibility entrusted to us by of mankind, today. It doesn’t matter that, that force becomes a source of our history, and it has emerged from which is your political party, or which is greatness for some men. A similar thing your language. What we must do is that, has happened in my case. we must take steps to ensure integrity In the history of India, there started of our behaviour, speech and practice, a new era during the freedom struggle. to the original humanistic attitude. We Owing to the achievement and merit must observe this important attitude in of the leaders of this country, during our country, and in our work. the era of Tilak and Gandhi, there I am the servant of this humanistic developed a situation in this country, a force. Let us now think about the kind of atmosphere where whoever took responsibilities that we have to shoulder, initiative in this atmosphere, became to realize this force in the diverse areas great by the blessings and virtues of of work. In my opinion, the very first these great leaders. A man like me, responsibility that is generated by this when I did not know anything about force is that we must be able to keep our the country and about the Government, country united. Partition was the first held high the national flag with courage terrible disaster to occur in this country. and this boy from a village joined the There are external threats, as well. There freedom struggle. And, I believe that is ill feeling in the North, and there are I am what I am today, only because of Smt. Venutai and Yashwantrao with grudges in the minds of our neighbours. mother Vithabai joining the struggle. But I am not worried about these That struggle was the driving force the power of history. By realizing the external threats, until there is strength of that era. It was the force of freedom, importance of this power of history, we in our bodies and in our minds. If all of the people, and that of human must try to become one with that power, our minds are united, if there are good welfare. It was the force of equality honestly, and, with full intellectual and wishes in our minds, and if our bodies and the strength of the people. I got emotional devotion. This is the work generate power together, we have no passionately involved with that driving going on in our country today. reason to worry. But today, it is a matter force, became one with it. And, even But, there is a mind-blowing situation of great concern, that whether even great today, I am representing that force. in the entire world today. This situation men fall victim to the smaller demands So, if we want to welcome something, produces fear in the minds of the and slogans. I do not address to the local

March 2012 61 Maharashtra Ahead

crisis of our country. And during this hour of crisis, all of us have to shoulder the responsibility of the country. We must be able to recognize each other’s responsibilities now. The very first responsibility is to try to recognize this situation. And while doing this, we have to ensure that the strong roots of democracy in our country develop. This is our second important responsibility. Whenever I look around India, I don’t see a single country in which there has not been a fall of the democratic government. Go right from Ceylon, to Myanmar, or to Egypt. You will find at least two upheavals in the recent history of each of these countries. The tenure of the Prime Minister lasts only for eight days, or fifteen days, a month or two. Some of them have blown over by the winds, like a torn-off kite. I have seen the history of the Commonwealth for the last twelve to fifteen years. But among all, only one Prime Minister continues in power, and he is Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India. For the last fifteen years, he has worked continuously in order to win support for India’s morality, India’s voice, and India’s language, And, he has made an attempt to continue this work unanimously, following the single voice of democracy. We must be proud of this achievement, and we must strive to strengthen this in our country. We must strive to strengthen democracy in the To make the visit memorable and long lasting Queen Elizabeth planted a sapling during her visit to Mumbai world, at least in the countries in Asia. A common man may perhaps commit situation here. The local situation here, the first ten to twelve years after mistakes while doing this. But without is a minor and negligible thing. I am independence, we were busy building making much ado about these mistakes, not worried if some people cause some our country, in which we were successful we must try to increase the strength disturbances in Nagpur, today. to a certain extent, but now, the next of our democracy by generating new Our country is facing different ten to fifteen years are extremely critical strength from these mistakes. We have problems today. There are attempts for our country, The reason for this is to safeguard this democracy and the to raise different types of issues in the rise of aspirations in the minds of democratic values that accompany it. our country. It is our duty to preserve the people. But, we won’t be able to protect this the integrity of our country against Simultaneously, there is also the democracy, if we don’t give the man the background of conflicts, over the rise of ambitions in the minds of some awakened by the spirit of democracy, issues of languages, regions, castes individuals. These individuals think his due social position, and his due and tribes, religious differences that they can use the coin of caste or opportunity for economic progress. between the Hindus and Muslims, etc. language or win power. We must be able Therefore, we need to care for this idea Recently, I read a book by an author. He to save our country from all these traps, of democracy, and the idea of socialism has informed us of a very thought and lead our country towards progress that accompanies it. This will ultimately provoking idea. It is as follows : during by preserving its unity. This is the lead to human welfare in this country.

62 March 2012 By felicitating me, I think, you are accepting the responsibility of felicitating democratic and socialist ideas in our country, because, I am the worshipper of these ideas. This is my position regarding the politics in Maharashtra, and the politics in our country. I will carry the gift of your blessings with me, and whatever strength and power I will gather from these blessings, will be used for the worship of national integration, democracy, and socialism. After all, my ideology is to worship all the three powers in the service of mankind. This is the tradition of my thought. Ultimately, I have become a humanist, learning from Gandhiji, from the saints of Maharashtra, from the different traditions, from Shivaji to Lokmanya Tilak, from my moderate contact with in the minds of the Marathi people. I of Chief Ministership, but not my an eminent scholar like Manvendranath am not working in fear of any obstacle friendship. Such men as Sheshrao Roy, and from my own understanding of a balance in somebody’s hand or Wankhede, Vasantrao Naik, and of history. My ideology is that of someone’s safe. It is being whispered Kazi are my comrades who love me human welfare. And, I am not going secretly, that I am interested in like a brother. How many names shall to give it up. Until, we are working in promoting only a state of the Marathas. I tell you? I am trying to treat the Maharashtra, I must strive to achieve But once again I declare from the land ministers in my ministry as friends. this. I have accepted the principle of of Nagpur, that the day on which it will There are some junior and young worshipping all these forces, all these be proved that an attempt has been workers. Everybody made a different powers and goals. made to promote the state of only one demand once. But today, we have Therefore, we must be able to community, of only one group, that day, decided unanimously that all our develop a situation in Maharashtra, by by facing public inquiry, I will readily energy will be used to enrich Marathi which we can generate one powerful undergo any type of punishment. I have life. At last, we must strive towards force combining all these principles. accepted the responsibility of this state progress with the only goal of achieving If we succeed in doing this, we will taking this vow. welfare of Maharashtra, India and the be able to be of service to India in a I thank you for your invitation and common people. good manner. And India, too will be for your felicitations. Today, in March At this huge programme of able to render service to mankind in a 1961, when you are honouring me, felicitating me on behalf of all the more powerful manner. I am doing this I accept this honour as a promise of common people, I remember my work as a worshipper of this principle. taking the responsibility of running old mother residing in a faraway Although, we have been fortunate this state successfully. This is the village. Credit goes to that illiterate enough to succeed a little, we should responsibility of all those who mother of mine, for my eligibility not be content with this success only. have supported this function. My to be worthy for accepting these Many times, we have to face failures. understanding of history is that felicitations. She does not know We should not allow our minds to be even fifty men, of one will and one much about the latest developments disturbed at such times. I once again determination, can change the in the world. I, her youngest son, am promise that whatever strength I will history of the world. And, therefore, the Chief Minister, but she doesn’t gather from your blessings, will be used I have tried my level best to explain know even today, what a Chief for service to mankind. the nature of the responsibility that Minister is. I remember that old My path is clear. I would try my history has imposed on us. What I mother today. Her virtuosity, her level best to make this formation of a have said was not out of anger for simplicity, her love; two to four good new unilingual state of Maharashtra a somebody. I spoke with a firm belief qualities that she inculcated in me in success. I would try my level best, until in the faith of all my friends. What my childhood have proved quite useful the last drop of my blood remains, to I have achieved during the last in my life. I end this speech on a note of awaken the Dhyaneshwar, Ramdas, four or five years is the collection of salutation to her.  Tukaram and Mother Marathi existing good friends. I may lose the position (Reproduced from the Winds of Sahyadri)

March 2012 63 Maharashtra Ahead Political Administrator Par Excellence Principles practiced by him have become part of the modern management text books Yashwantraoji had the ability to establish within seconds a complete rapport with anyone. His voracious reading and wide circle of friends gave him a breadth of vision and depth of knowledge which set him a part from one-tract politician.

office, I had no idea that he had already selected me to head his personal staff. As I walked into the Defence Minister’s room, I had the natural nervousness of an officer with only six years service entering the seat of power in the South Block. As I sat down, Yashwantraoji surprised me by asking me whether I found my mathematics training useful in solving administrative problems and also whether I could keep up my cricket after joining service. He had obviously seen my record and with this informal beginning, I could certainly give off my best. As I soon found out, this incident was nothing special; Yashwantraoji had the ability to establish within seconds a Yashwantrao joking with army officers in 1964 complete rapport with any one whether a political worker, an officer, a general, had the good fortune to work with held. The most remarkable thing in a scientist or a writer. His voracious Yashwantrao Chavan as his Private Indian context is that he literally built reading and wide circle of friends gave ISecretary when he was Defence up leaders by dozens – both in the him the breadth of vision and depth of Minister and later Home Minister. The political and administrative fields. knowledge which set him a part from services rendered by him to the nation Working with Shri Chavan was like a one-tract politician. Yashwantraoji first as Chief Minister of Maharashtra learning at the feet of a master. It was a never demanded blind worship; his and later as Cabinet Minister holding treat to see him reach right conclusions friendship was based on mutual respect important portfolios in the Government in complicated issues and a consensus and trust with complete freedom to of India have been narrated many times in differing and often confliction views. express one’s views. One could have and are part of the history of modern He could find the right solution because honest differences of opinion with India. But what are not so wellknown his moral standard were high, national him without losing his friendship. He are many facets of his personality objectives clear and reading of the pulse was a democrat in every sense of the which had an intimate bearing on his of the common man perfect. It was often word. He always persuaded and never success as a political administrator. unbelievable to see him turn a dispirited forced anyone to accept his views but Shri Chavan was a leader in every sense organization into a high morale and when opinions differed he accepted of the word. He successfully practiced competent one. The difference between the difference without any prejudice, for thirty years management principles Maharashtra of 1956 and 1960 and the malice or irritation. which have only now become part of difference between the Armed Forces There is a belief among some that the modern management text-books. of the country in 1962 and 1965 bears Yashwantraoji had a wavering mind. There is therefore little wonder that an eloquent testimony to his leadership Several cartoons showed him as a man he could build a competent and high- qualities. sitting on the fence who was unable morale team whichever portfolio he When I first called on him in his to make up his mind. However, as a

64 March 2012 Minister, I always found him decisive. where he rushed immediately to meet and made it clear that the strategy He would certainly consider important the Prime Minister. He was with the should be determined solely with a issues in depth and allow everyone to Prime Minister in his room only for a view to win the war and the point of give his views, but he never avoided his couple of minutes. As we headed back in attack should be in the area of our responsibility in taking decisions. What the car to South Block, I asked him what choosing. This was approved by the is more important, he could invariably happened. He said that Lal Bahadurji Prime Minister. Six days were required carry people with him. merely observed, “Well done, this is the from zero date to put the counter-attack I am reminded of an incident while most appropriate decision.” The story plan in operation. The decision was I worked with him in the Defence brings out both the decision-making taken on the 1st of September and the Ministry. It was 1st of September, 1965. capability of Yashwantraoji and the attack on Lahore was launched on the As a retaliation to our capturing Hajipur excellent rapport he had with the Prime 6th of September. So well-guarded was area in Kashmir, Pakistan had launched Minister in terms of general strategy for the secret that the surprise was total; a fulfledged armoured corps attack in the war. Pakistani thrust in Chhamb-Jurian Chhamb-Jurian sector. Geographically, Another interesting incident petered out and it was forced to take this was a difficult sector for us to occurred prior to the war. Against the a defensive role. As Yashwantraoji defend. By afternoon, many of our background of Pakistani infiltration in observed later “Two thousand years of forward pickets had fallen. I received Kashmir and the expected Pakistani Indian history was a history of invasions a call from Air Marshal Arjan Singh thrust in Chhamb sector, a high level on India which Indians tried to defend. at 4.00 pm for an emergency meeting with the Defence Minister. Both he and General Chaudhary were in my room in five minutes. The Defence Minister was holding a large meeting in his room and so, instead of calling them to his office, he came to my room and had discussion with them. Both pointed out that there was no way of repulsing Pakistani attack without using Air Force. After the 1965 and 1971 wars, use of Air Force looks natural today but it must be remembered that the sino-Indian war of 1962 was fought without use of air power. Escalation of war through air attacks on civil population was considered dangerous. After listening to the arguments of the Chiefs of Staff, Yashwantraoji agreed that Air Force must be used. He asked me to contact the In a meeting wth Prime Minister Pandit Nehru and Defence officers Prime Minister in the Parliament House on the special phone. Unfortunately, Lal meeting was held to decide on Indian On 8th Sept. 1965, India changed for Bahadurji was intervening in a debate strategy in the event of war. Gen. the first time from defence to counter- in Parliament and it would have taken Chaudhary recommended a counter- attack and took the initiative.” Thanks some time before he could be called attack on the Punjab front arguing to these bold tactics, India could out. Yashwantraoji asked the Chiefs that, on account of geographical defend its honour in 1965 in spite of of Staff how much time he had to take handicap, a counter-attack over the the more sophisticated armed forces of the decision. They replied that the Air cease-fire line in J & K would not Pakistan. Force, to be effective, must be used be effective. The Foreign Office did Yashwantraoji was very methodical before sun-set and considering the time not agree to the escalation over the in his work. As a Defence Minister, involved in communicating the decision international boundary (as different whenever he was in town, he would and scrambling the planes, the decision from the cease-fire line) and insisted start the day with his morning meeting had to be made within 5-10 minutes. that 48 hours ultimatum would be at 9.30 AM. This would be attended Yashwantraoji looked at them, paused necessary if counter-attack was to be by the three Services Chiefs, Defence and said, “order the Air Force to attack”. launched on the Punjab front. Any Secretary and other very senior officers. How the Pakistani attack was repulsed ultimatum would have removed the He would mention all the important is now a part of history. I accompanied element of surprise. Yashwantraoji points gathered by him the previous day Yashwantraoji to the Parliament House strongly supported General Chaudhary and which he had carefully recorded in

March 2012 65 Maharashtra Ahead

the small notebook always carried of another incident in April, 1967 by him. The officers would then when Yashwantraoji was Home brief him on the situation and this Minister. The Delhi Armed Police would be followed by discussions constabulary had gone on strike on important issues. The result was and had also carried their weapons that he was always well-informed with them. A mob of 1,000 Police of the situation and his officers men surrounded 1. Race Course were clear about his thinking and Road, the house of Shri Chavan directions on important issues. by 8.00 pm. Many had guns with Another advantage was that them. By 10.00 pm the situation the officers could concentrate had become very critical. There on their work for the rest of the Monitoring border with army officers was no police-man left in the day without being called by the barracks or, the Police stations Minister. He would reserve the whole by Pakistanis had taken place in Jammu who could be brought to deal with morning for official discussions and & Kashmir. However, it took more than the situation. (Incidentally, this night meetings with Governors, Ambassadors half an hour before the Defence Minister was later found to be one of the most and other important dignitaries. He of the country could speak to the Prime crime-free night in the capital). Army would return home for lunch at 2.00 Minister. The Air Force and the Army was called out who took their positions pm, take rest for an hour and then lines were down and even after booking in the house early in the morning. The start meetings with political workers the highest priority call which had to go whole situation could be controlled only and others which went on till 9.00 pm. via Madras, Bombay to Delhi, it took in the afternoon of the next day when After dinner, he would dispose of his considerable persuasion and shouting two Batallions of the Border Security files which consisted of 2 or 3 bags as to get the call through. The reason was Force arrived and literally grabbed the a Defence Minister but 5 or 6 as Home simple. Some senior officials at Madras Armed Policemen – three BSF men for Minister. He would go to bed only one Armed Police man. Fortunately after the last box was completed there was no blood-shed. However, and this might be 12 O’clock or Yashwantraoji was fast asleep by 2 O’ clock in the morning. Every 11.00 pm. He made it clear to the file that went to him the previous senior officers in the house that day was returned to the office handling of the law and order was next morning. With this speed of their job and he did not want to disposal by the Minister, Officers interfere in tactical matters. Both had to be quick in clearing their the incidents show his mental desks. discipline and capacity to relax at Yashwantraoji had extra- the right time so that he remained ordinary skills of man- fit and alert when his turn came. management. He made full My years with Yashwantraoji use of the strengths of the persons and Bombay were talking through the formed a unique experience. This was without complaining about his same priority booking and they had not only exhilarating action-packed deficiencies. The result was that his to be literally driven off the line by period but also a complete education team was far more effective than the explaining the urgency. After curtailing in management. If I am asked what is same team under any other leader. the visit, we took off for Delhi at 7.00 the most important quality in a leader, I He was a good judge of men and could pm. The Defence Minister was to attend would say, after watching Yashwantraoji make use of the advice of different the emergency Cabinet meeting at at close quarters, that it is his capacity persons by making proper allowance 11.00 pm. Yashwantraoji sat quiet, to make big man out of a small one. for their personal prejudices and thinking about the whole situation The magic of Yashwantraoji was to weaknesses. for about half an hour. Once that develop every follower into a significant Yashwantraoji’s capacity to remain was done, he stretched out on his bed person through strengthening his good calm and relaxed even in the most in the VIP cabin of the Air Force qualities and giving him confidence difficult circumstances was really plane and immediately went to sleep. in life. Finding a large number of unbelievable. In August, 1965 I He had to be awakened for fastening able persons among Yashwantraoji’s accompanied Yashwantraoji to a visit the seat belt when we approached followers is not an accident – it is the to Vishakhapatanam. As soon as we Delhi. But thanks to this rest, he was contribution made by the gifted leader landed, there was a message that the fit and alert for the Cabinet meeting to the country.  Prime Minister wanted to talk to him which incidentally went on till 3 O’ clock - S. M. Kelkar immediately. A large scale infiltration in the morning. I am also reminded (Reproduced from Yashwantrao Rashtriya Vyaktimatva)

66 March 2012 Swearing-In of Cabinet The first Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Y.B. Chavan, signing the oath of office at the swearing-in ceremony held in the Sachivalaya Quadrangle.

Sketch by M. R. Achrekar O.I.G.S. Presented by The Government of India Maharashtra Ahead

Digamber W. Palve Senior Assistant Director, Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, Maharashtra Government, Barrack No. 19, Free Press Journal Marg, Mumbai 400 021.

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