Vasanthrao Lakangouda Patil( Kannada: ವಸಂತ್ ರಾವ್ ಲಕ್ಕನ್ ಗೌಡ ಪಾಟೀಲ್, ಅಬಾಜಿ) (25 March 1922 – 9 December 2012), widely known as 'Aabaji' (ಅಭಾಜಿ,ರಾಯಬಾಗ ಹುಲಿ,ಬಾಗಿ(ರಾಯಬಾಗ) ಗುಡ್ಡದ ಭಾರ್ಗವ, ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯ ಹರಿಕಾರ) was an Indian politician, industrialist, and freedom fighter.

Early life and education

Vasantrao Patil was born on 25 March 1922 to a Kuruba-Patil ( Dhangar) family in Byakud village,

Bombay state Bombay State was a large Indian state created at the time of India's Independence, with other regions being added to it in the succeeding years. Bombay Presidency (roughly equating to the present-day Indian state of Maharashtra, excluding Sou ...

. He was born to Shri Sidagouda and Smt. Anandibai Patil. Patil had an older sister and a younger brother, Hutatma Prataprao. His ancestors administered the surrounding region on behalf of Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur (Shahaji II). He began his higher education at Rajaram College, Kolhapur, but was unable to complete his degree due to his involvement in the freedom movement.

Freedom movement

Under influence of his teachers like Dr. M.R. Desai, Acharya Jawadekar, N.S. Hardikar and barrister Khardekar, Vasantrao was instilled the spirit of patriotism and social service. While in Kolhapur he came in contact with a radical freedom fighter by the name of

Nana Patil Nana Patil, popularly known as ''Krantisinh'' ( lit. 'revolutionary lion'), was an Indian independence activist (freedom fighter) and Member of Parliament for the Communist Party of India representing Beed District of Marathwada region. He was a ...

(Kranti Sinha), who further bolstered his decision to take part in the freedom struggle. Under Nana's guidance both Vasantrao and Prataprao became heavily involved in orchestrating skirmishes in the areas which are today known as Southern Maharashtra and North Karnataka. This led to the assassination of his younger brother Prataprao. Due to the grief of losing his only brother, Vasantrao left college in 1943 and became fully involved in the freedom struggle. As Vasantrao's reputation strengthened, he became one of the most wanted men in the region, leading to a 'shoot at sight' imposition by the British administration.

Political career

Patil first entered politics when he was elected M.L.A. from Chikodi Raibagh in 1952 as an

Independent candidate An independent or non-partisan politician is a politician not affiliated with any political party or bureaucratic association. There are numerous reasons why someone may stand for office as an independent. Some politicians have political views th ...

, and became the first elected representative for the area post independence. In 1957 he contested successfully once again as an

from Raibag, which was merged into the newly created State of Karnataka. He won the election with a significant majority and in addition to this, wielded considerable power across Bombay-Karnataka districts. These events stunned

Pandit Nehru Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (; ; ; 14 November 1889 – 27 May 1964) was an Indian anti-colonial nationalist, secular humanist, social democrat— * * * * and author who was a central figure in India during the middle of the 20t ...

, the Prime Minister of India at the time. This caused Nehru to invite Patil to Delhi because Nehru wanted to see the person who had shattered the 'Congress storm'. Nehru invited him to the

Congress Party The Indian National Congress (INC), colloquially the Congress Party but often simply the Congress, is a political party in India with widespread roots. Founded in 1885, it was the first modern nationalist movement to emerge in the British Em ...

but Patil rejected the offer, as he was a staunch opponent of Nehruvian Socialism (however, he later joined the

after requests from senior leaders at the time). Below are details of further positions held by Patil: * 1962–1967 Member of Parliament from

Chikkodi Chikkodi is a taluka and Town Municipal Council in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, India. It is a Subdivision of the district. Chikodi, Athani, Hukkeri, Raybag, Nipani and Kagwad are the taluks that come under Chikodi Subdivision. It is ...

(IND) * 1968–1971 M.L.A. from Raibag & Minister of Social Welfare under the

Veerendra Patil Veerendra Basappa Patil (Kannada: ವೀರೇಂದ್ರ ಪಾಟೀಲ್; 28 February 1924 – 14 March 1997) was a senior Indian politician and was twice, the List of Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Chief Minister of Karnataka. He becam ...

government (INC) * 1972–1977 M.L.A. from Raibag & Minister of Social Welfare and Horticulture under the

Devraj Urs Devaraj Devaraj Urs (20 August 1915 – 6 June 1982) was an Indian politician who served two terms as the eighth Chief Minister of Karnataka (1972–77, 1978–80), a state in southern India. He is also the longest serving Chief Minister of Ka ...

government (INC) * Between 1972 and 1977 he was member of Central Congress Working Committee and wielded great influence over the

in Karnataka. * 1983–1984 M.L.A. from Kagwad & Minister of Industries, Labour, Transportation and Revenue under the Ramakrishna Hegde government (JP) * 1985–1989 M.L.A. from Kagwad & Revenue Minister under the Ramakrishna Hegde and

S. R. Bommai Somappa Rayappa Bommai (6 June 1924 – 10 October 2007) was an Indian Politician who was the 11th Chief Minister of Karnataka. He was also the Human Resource Development Minister in the United Front government from 1996 to 1998. He is widely ...

government (JP) During his political years Patil is credited with implementing various irrigation schemes which turned barren lands into sugarcane belts:The Hindu Special Correspondent. (2012). V.L. Patil cremated at Bekkeri. Available: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/vl-patil-cremated-at-bekkeri/article4186528.ece. Last accessed 23 November 2013. for this he was referred to as ‘ನಡೆದಾಡುವ ದೇವರು’ (walking titan) and ‘ಹಸಿರು ಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯ ಹರಿಕಾರ’ (the forerunner of the Green Revolution) by farmers in the region. Patil's popularity was such that other politicians feared to contest elections against him, thus garnering the name ‘The Tiger of Raibag'. Among his many acquaintances,

B.R. Ambedkar Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader who headed the committee drafting the Constitution of India from the Constituent Assembly debates, served a ...

('the father of the Indian Constitution') was one of Patil's most revered friends. Patil actively supported

Ambedkar Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader who headed the committee drafting the Constitution of India from the Constituent Assembly of India, Constit ...

during his campaigns and would often seek his advice regarding politics and society.

Industry and social service

Patil established one of the first cooperative sugar factories in Karnataka, Raibag Sahakara Sakkare Karkhane. Additionally, he set up a trust fund called 'Hutatma Prataprao Trust' in the name of his slain brother to provide financial assistance to farmers and students. Adding on to the trust fund, Patil set up a chain of educational institutions under the name of Shikshan Prasarak Mandal Education Society Raibag, which operates 3 degree colleges, 7 junior colleges, 10 high schools, 4 D. ed. Colleges, 1 B. ed. College, and 1 DMC college in

Belgaum Belgaum (ISO 15919, ISO: ''Bēḷagāma''; also Belgaon and officially known as Belagavi) is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka located in its northern part along the Western Ghats. It is the administrative headquarters of the eponymous ...

, Karnataka. Patil was also involved in setting up educational institutions in Kolhapur. Shikshan Prasarak Mandal Kolhapur was set up by Patil, M.R. Desai and barrister Kharadekar. Patil was chairman of the Karnataka Health Institute in Ghataprabha, and was instrumental in modernising the rural hospital which provides medicines and treatments to the rural populace. A few years prior to his death, Patil established another private sugar factory, Bhagyashri Lagmawwa Sugars Ltd. in his hometown Bekkeri and had fully planned another factory in nearby Alagawadi. He was awarded the Indira Gandhi Sadbhavana National Award in 2008 for the various social endeavours in his life.

Personal life

Patil married Smt. Arunadevi and had four children: Prataprao, Prathibha, Vivekrao and Amarsinh. Prathibha, an active politician, died in 2003. Amarsinh is a

barrister A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation. Their tasks include taking cases in superior courts and tribunals, drafting legal pleadings, researching law and ...

(LLM, University of Cambridge) . He was the elected Member of Parliament (INC) from

(1999–2004) during the

NDA NDA may stand for: Military * National Defence Academy (India), a military academy in India * National Defence Act, legislation for organizing and funding Canada's military * National Defense Academy of Japan, a military academy in Japan * Nig ...

regime. Amarsinh now manages the Shikshan Prasarak (SP) Mandal Raibag, and Bhagyashri Lagmawwa Sugars after the death of Patil. Prataprao is another well known political leader in the area. Vivekrao is a recognised educationalist who runs the Mahakali Education Society, which manages a chain of schools and colleges in Belgaum District. He is the elected president of the Karnataka milk federation,Karnataka Milk Federation Available: http://www.heraldgoa.in/The-Sunday-Roundtable/nandini-milk-promotion/74338.html Belgaum District. V.L. Patil died on 9 December 2012 in Bangalore, India due to a long-standing illness. Patil was cremated in his home village Bekkeri, with full state honours.

References