Fulsing Naik had two sons, the eldest was Rajusing alias Babasaheb and the youngest was Hajusingh alias Vasant. Rajusingh alias Babasaheb was born in 1911. His temperament was cordial, polite and couneous. He continued his father’s ideal of public, social and educational work, He had a lot of love for Vasantrao Naik. Vasantrao also had incredibie and magnificent faith in his elder brother. Both brothers were like Ram & Laman. Babasaheb had a lion’s share in shaging the personality of Vasantrao Naik. He spent a lot of money on education in encouraging Vasantrao Naik to get higher education. In political, social and family life of Vasantrao Naik, Babasaheb Naik coperated wholeheartedly and stubbornly. He made great sacrifices and carried great responsibilities to get Vasantrao Naik to a higher position. Vasantrao Naik’s personality was shaped through the rites and observance of Babasaheb Naik. Babasaheb Naik gained fame in Yavatmal district as an ideal father, brother and a dutiful leader.
Buhuaheb Naik had three sons, Sudhakarrao, Madhukarrao and Manoharrao and five daughters, Vasantrao Naik’s nephew. Sudhakamao Naik. became the rightful political successor of Vasantrao Naik.
Sudhakarrao Naik was an Indian politician from lindian National Congress party. He was born on 21 August 1934. He ws fhe member of legislative Assembly from 1978 to 22 February 1995. He later served as the Minister of various departments in Maharashtra. He was Member of Legislative Assembly for Maharasha Vidhan Sabha from Pusad (Vidhan Sabha Constituency) 5 times winning eiections of 1978, 1980, 1985. 1990 and 1999 elections. He was the Chief Minister during the Mumbai riots of 1992-9993. He was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 25 June 2991 ao 22 Fehruary 1993. He served as Governor of Himachal Pradesh from 39 July 1994 to 17 September 1995. In 1998, he was also clected as Menber of Parliament to the 12th Lok Sabha. Due to Panchayat Raj concept, he has a strenuous political journey from being the Sarpanch of Gahuli, the Chairman of the Pusad Panchayat Samiti for ten years to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra State. Like Vasantrao Naik, he was very fond of social and political works. He was the convener of the Pusad Taluka “Bharat Sevak Samaj”.
He was very popular among the youths. He was also an excellent organizer and was passionate in reading books. Sudhakarrao Naik had started Gramswarajya Weekly. He also used to write humorous articies under the title “Reshmi Chutke”. He was the receptionist of All India Marathi Sahitya Sammelan (Literary Meet) held in 1973. He is an important and inspiring personality of the Banjara community. He was a hearty, humorous personality, a shrewd politician, a studious parliamentarian, an excellent administrator, a skilled organizer and a capable minister. His tenure was notorious to control the Bombay riots. His tenure as Chief Minister was also noted for his attempt to destroy the clout of the Mumbai underworld and bring them under the aegis of the law. He arrested the well-known gangsters in Mumbai.
He set an example of social work throughout his life, Vasantrao Naik was his role model. He got his political education from his uncle, Vasantrao Naik. He seems to have created the backbone of the state’s development work by allowing private institutions to open engineering colleges to bring about revolutionary changes in the education sector in Maharashtra State. As the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sudhakarrao Naik became the most popular Chief Minister of Maharashtra by implementing various developmental policies in the state. He is also known as a leader who saved Maharashtra from desertification by creating an independent ‘Water Conservation Department.’ He gave the basic message that every drop of water falling on the earth should be stored in the ground without wasting it.
Sudhakarrao Naik was the first Chief Minister at the national level who formed the ‘Water Conservation Department.’ as signs of an impending water crisis began many years ago, so he continued to work tirelessly for water conservation until the end of his life. He died on 10 May 2001 at the age of 66. In addition, he had created a wave of reforms in the agricultural, educational, industrial, cooperative and social sectors for the development of entire Maharashtra. He was genuinely motivated by a desire to uplift and achieve development of Maharashtra at all levels. He is always remembered for his work in water conservation. Therefore he is called the father of water revolution as well as water conservation in Maharashtra State. In the end, it is really more meaningful and appropriate for us to say so… “Reverend, Sudhakarrao Naik Saheb, as an everlasting tribute we offer you, with the touching words from our hearts will continue to be realized your universal truth in ages to come.”
Compiled by-
Dr. Dinesh Sewa Rathod
Yavatmal, Maharashtra State
Cell- +91 9404372756
Reference:VASANTRAO NAIK: A Pioneer in politics and the father of agro-industrial revolution- Dr. Dinesh Sewa Rathod
ISBN- 9789390396214
