Vasantrao Naik

Vasantrao Phulsingh Naik (1 July 1913 – 18 August 1979) was an Indian politician , Pioneer of Green Revolution, Social Reformer who longest served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1963 until 1975. Vasantrao Naik was a renowned agriculturalist and progressive farmer.

Vasantrao Naik
3rd Chief Minister of Maharashtra
In office 5 December 1963 – 20 February 1975
Preceded by	P. K. Sawant
Succeeded by	Shankarrao Chavan
Member of the Indian Parliament for Washim
In office 1977–1979
Preceded by	Constituency created
Succeeded by	Ghulam Nabi Azad
Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for Pusad
In office 1962–1977
Preceded by	Himself
Succeeded by	Sudhakarrao Naik
Member of the Bombay Legislative Assembly for Pusad
In office 1957–1962
Preceded by	Himself
Succeeded by	Himself
Member of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly for Pusad
In office 1952–1957
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Himself
Personal details
Born	(1913-07-01)1 July 1913 Gahuli, Central Provinces and Berar, British India
Died	18 August 1979(1979-08-18) (aged 66) Singapore
Political party	Indian National Congress
Spouse	Vatsala Vasantrao Naik
Children	2
Alma mater	Morris College, Nagpur Nagpur University

Naik was born on 1 July 1913 in a prosperous farming family in a small village called Gahuli near Pusad. Vasantrao Naik is considered the father of the Green Revolution, Panchayat Raj, White Revolution and Employment Guarantee Scheme.Vasantrao Naik gained fame across the country by reviving agricultural culture. He raised the profile of modern Indian agriculture and farmers. The famous writer and thinker Eknathrao Pawar has described Vasantrao Naik as the 'Agricultural Saint of Modern India'.^[1] During the severe drought in Maharashtra in 1972, he implemented far-reaching schemes to help farmers. Mahanayak Vasantrao Naik was not only aware of the problems of farmers, but also took far-reaching measures. His connection with agriculture and farmers was always strong. Naik did revolutionary work even in difficult times. Therefore, he is called the 'King of Farmers' and 'Green Warrior'. Former President, Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee, praised Naik with the words "Vasantrao Naik is a great son of Mother India."^[2] The great Vasantrao Naik is not a name but a people-oriented ideology of sustainable development.^[3]

Career

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 during 1960 to 1977. In 1952, he was appointed Deputy Minister for Revenue in the Government of Madhya Pradesh. He was made Minister for Cooperation in 1957 and, later, Minister for Agriculture in the Government of Bombay State. From 1960 to 1963, he was Minister for Revenue in the Government of Maharashtra.His Colleagues Balwantrao Naik, Harilal Naik Helped Him In His Career.

After the death of Marotrao Kannamwar, Naik was elected Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a post which he held for more than eleven years during 1963-1975. He is considered the father of the Green Revolution in Maharashtra. The industrialization of Maharashtra is largely the legacy of his progressive industrial policies. He was also elected to the 6th Lok Sabha from Washim in 1977.^[4]

Death

Vasantrao Phulsing Naik died in Singapore on 18 August 1979.^[5]

Legacy

The Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College in Yavatmal city of Maharashtra state and Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agriculture University Parbhani, Maharashtra state was named in his honour.

His nephew Sudhakarrao Naik also became Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Many journalists and experts of political studies attribute the rise of right wing party Shiv Sena in the 1970s to his policy of building up the Shiv Sena as a counterweight to the communist-led labour unions in Mumbai.

His birth anniversary is celebrated as Krushi Din (1st July Agricultural day) by Maharashtra Government.^[6]

The 2015 Marathi film Mahanayak Vasant Tu, starring Chinmay Mandlekar, is his biopic. A junction/ chowk/ bus stop in Tardeo, Mumbai is named after Vasantrao Naik.^[7]