Vasantrao Naik Study Centre

About the Center

The Scheme of epoch-making social thinkers in India as envisaged by the 11th and 12th plan of UGC to be undertaken by the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar University, Aurangabad shall be known as Vasantrao Naik Vimukt Jati/Bhatkya Jamati Humanities Development Research and Training Center. Maharashtra is a land of saints and great personalities with a history of revolution through their words and deeds. In this State, every person has a vision of keenly observing things around them, and this is deeply rooted in the deeds of the senior leader of Maharashtra whose name was Vasantrao Naik. When we talk about Maharashtra, we always remember Chief Ministers like Yashwantrao Chavan, Manohar Joshi, and others. Vasantrao Naik’s name stands no less in this list.

Achievement:

Initiatives taken by him like Panchyat Raj, Rozgar Hami Yojana, Cotton Monopoly Scheme, Marketing Committee, Land Tenancy Reforms, Cultivators Land Scheme, irrigation projects, soil conservation inclusive of Green revolution. On seeing the aggression of VasantraoNaik for development towards Maharashtra as political, social, education, agricultural economics. He was elected thrice for enjoying the longest term as Chief Minister of Maharashtra till date. Most of the years in his tenure were challenging for establishing socialism for all.

About Vasantrao Naik:

Vasantrao Naik was an Indian politician who served as Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1963 until 1975. He was born in Gahuli, Pusad on 1st July 1913 into the Banjara Community, which was recognized as a criminal tribe according to the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871. The Act remained in existence until 1952, prohibiting this community from being a part of common living. Even today, the tribe faces many difficulties that need proper investigation. In Maharashtra, the projected population is around two crores, of which the Banjara Community constitutes 96 Lakh. Studying such governance requires in-depth research into the present position.

He was an eminent law practitioner in his early life and had a strong grasp of grassroots politics, which recognized him as a responsible legislator. He participated in the political field from 1951 to 1952 and possessed varying skills in political maneuvering, which were followed by many leaders.

In the beginning of his political career, he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly and subsequently became a Cabinet Minister. This marked the beginning of a backward class regime where a person from a rural background served as Chief Minister. He was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh during 1952–1957, of the then bilingual Bombay State during 1957–1960, and of Maharashtra from 1960 to 1977. In 1952, he was appointed Deputy Minister for Revenue in the Government of Madhya Pradesh. He served as Minister for Cooperation in 1957 and later as Minister for Agriculture in the government of Bombay State. He is considered the father of the Green Revolution in Maharashtra. From 1960 to 1963, he was the Minister for Revenue in the Government of Maharashtra and was a staunch supporter of Yashwantrao Chavan.

His work style: In his ministerial life, he developed Maharashtra in every field, often saying, "Maharashtra is my State." In his work, he never differentiated based on caste or creed. He strongly opposed untouchability and had an inter-caste marriage in his personal life.

He was a person of simple living and high thinking. He was concerned about farmers and their hardships. He believed that while the farmer owns the agriculture, they cannot decide the price of their goods, and no one ensures they receive a fair price. He felt something needed to be done in this regard for the progress of the downtrodden. He decided to establish cooperative societies, especially in the Vidarbha region, and promoted societies for running cooperative sugar factories, cotton mills, dairies, etc., such as the Pophali Industry setup and the Babasaheb Naik cotton mill at Pusad.

He traveled to underdeveloped areas in Maharashtra to gather people and support. He supported researchers in developing new varieties of Jowar, Sugarcane, and similar crops in Maharashtra. He sanctioned many dams that have become successful examples for irrigation. He introduced numerous laws and reforms in various sectors for the overall development of Maharashtra. His slogans were “Kasel Tyachi Jamin” (Land to the Tiller), Panchayat Raj, and Gram Smruddhi (Village Prosperity), and he enacted statutes for land sale transactions. He started the rural workers guarantee scheme. Recognizing cotton as the white gold of Vidarbha, the Government of Maharashtra decided to purchase farmers' cotton directly at levy prices. The outcome of the cooperative system in various establishments showed increased profit records at both individual and collective levels.

Their views on: He was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and worked with Vinoba Bhave for the Bhoodan movement to provide land to the landless. He introduced the State Transport Corporation in Maharashtra for accessible travel for weaker and deprived sections of society. Understanding the water scarcity in rural areas, he implemented various drinking water schemes for water-prone villages. The efficient implementation of the Indira Gandhi Awaas Yojana in Maharashtra was a significant achievement, providing shelter for the homeless. Exemplary schemes introduced by this eminent personality were followed in various States and at the Centre. Considering his positive approaches to development, there is a need for fieldwork and doctrinal research, as officially no comprehensive work is available in his name to date.

Taking into regard his wisdom towards agriculture, Marathwada University, Parbhani, has recently announced naming a center after this great thinker. If the measures suggested by this eminent personality had been followed, there might not have been farmer suicides and the exploitation of farmers by businessmen in this area. Considering the above scenario, many such intellectual inputs need to be investigated, which will bring fruitful results for future generations. More focus needs to be placed on the Cotton Monopoly Scheme, poverty elimination, industrial requirements, the cooperative movement, and overall rural development (Panchsutri).

HONOURABLE VASANTRAOJI NAIK AT A GLANCE

On 1st July 1913, born into a Farmer Family of the Banjara tribe in Gahuli in Pusad Taluka of Yavatmal district. In 1933, passed matriculation from Neelcity High School Nagpur.

In 1937, passed B.A. from Morris College (Presently Vasantrao Naik Social Institution Nagpur).

In 1940, passed LLB from Law College, Nagpur.

In 1941, Gahuli, his native place, became an ideal village through his untiring efforts and enthusiasm.

On July 06th 1941, married Vatsalatai Ghate, from a prestigious Brahmin Family. Since the marriage was inter-caste, it created upheaval in society, and they were banned from the society for some period.

In 1946, elected as the President of the municipal corporation of Pusad.

In 1950, worked as the president of “Pusad Free Lodging for Harijans” and “Digras National free Students’ hostel.”

In 1951, became a member of the Vidarbha Pradesh Congress Committee.

Elected as the Deputy Secretary for the revenue department in the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet from the first general elections of 1952.

In the year 1956, after state re-organization, he was appointed as the minister for co-operation, agriculture, and dairy departments in the old Mumbai State.

In 1958, became a member of the Indian Delegation of the International Rice Commission and visited Japan.

In 1959, started Fulsingh Naik College at Pusad and visited China on the invitation of the Farmers’ Association of China.

In 1960, after the state formation of Maharashtra, he was appointed as the Revenue Minister in the first ministry.

In 1962, elected for the third time from Pusad Constituency and took charge as the Revenue Ministry.

On 5th December 1963, became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the first time.

In 1965, completed the tour of 25 districts of Maharashtra for preaching new technology of hybridization for the increase in agricultural production.

In 1966, completed the tour of drought-affected districts of the State to encourage distressed farmers.

In 1967, elected for the fourth time in the assembly.

On 06 March 1967, elected as Chief Minister for the Second Time.

In 1970, on the invitation of the Govt of America, visited America and European Countries.

In 1972, elected as Member of Assembly for the 5th time.

On 14 March 1972, became Chief Minister for the third time.

On 20th February 1975, resigned from the Chief Minister’s designation after chairing the office for 11 consecutive Years.

On 12th March 1977, elected as a member of the Washim Loksabha Constituency.

Vasntrao Naik Saheb, popular leader, excellent Parliamentarian, farmers’ caretaker, pioneer of the green, industrial revolution of Maharashtra, died on 18th August 1979 at the age of 66.

On the eve of 100 years celebrations of Yashwantrao Chavan and Vasantrao Naik, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad has established Vasantrao Naik Research Centre and for efficient running of the same maximum possible grants be sanctioned.