Former Vasmat MLA Panditrao Deshmukh cremated; a veteran of education and public life is gone

Vasmat: Former Vasmat MLA Panditrao Deshmukh, secretary of the Hutatma Bahirji Smarak education society, was cremated at the Vaikunthdham crematorium in Vasmat on Friday afternoon, October 9. He died on Thursday night, October 8, while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nanded. Born on August 20, 1940, he hailed from Hatta in Vasmat taluka.

Deshmukh began his career as a teacher at the Bahirji primary school in Wapti and went on to serve as headmaster of the Bahirji Smarak school in Vasmat. After the Emergency, he was elected on a Janata Party ticket and represented Vasmat in the assembly from 1978 to 1980. He had been secretary of the Bahirji education society since 2004 and also served as a director of the Purna cooperative sugar factory.

He worked steadily to bring education within reach of rural children and was known for his simple ways and clean image. MLA Raju Navghare, former minister Jayprakash Dandegaonkar and leaders of various parties, teachers and students paid tribute to him; Navghare said his work as a teacher, a people's representative and an education society office-bearer would be remembered. He is survived by his wife, three sons and their families.

Sources: Pudhari; Saam TV; Sarkarnama; Esakal; Esakal