Changdevrao Holkar, Ex-NAFED Chairman, Passes Away At 95

Changdevrao Holkar, a veteran cooperative leader and former Chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), passed away on June 24, 2023, following a massive cardiac arrest. He was 95 years old.

Holkar was a prominent figure in Maharashtra's agricultural and cooperative sectors, and his demise is being widely mourned across the state. Born on June 24, 1934, Holkar dedicated over seven decades to the causes of farmers, cooperatives, and education.

He began his social and political journey at the age of 20 and went on to hold several key positions in NAFED, including Director, Vice Chairman, and Chairman. Holkar also founded the Western India Farmers Cooperative (WEFCO) in 1986 and served as its chairman for nearly 30 years.

In addition to his work in the cooperative sector, Holkar made significant contributions to education. He was a founding member of the K.K. Wagh Education Society and chaired the Nutan Vidya Prasarak Mandal in Lasalgaon.

Holkar's public service also extended to local governance, where he served as a member of the Lasalgaon Gram Panchayat for 15 years and as Sarpanch for five years. He also represented farmers on the Indian Railways Board and played a key role in establishing several industries, including Granoch Industries and Yashraj Ethanol Industries.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to agriculture, cooperatives, and social service, Holkar received the 'Best Citizen of India' National Award in 2010. He is survived by his wife Yashoda Holkar and four sons.

Holkar's passing has been met with widespread mourning across Maharashtra's agricultural and cooperative sectors, with many describing him as a visionary leader and a lifelong crusader for the development of Lasalgaon and the state's agricultural community.

His legacy will be remembered for his tireless advocacy for farmers' welfare and his contributions to the development of Maharashtra's cooperative movement.

The loss of Changdevrao Holkar is a significant blow to the agricultural and cooperative sectors in Maharashtra, and his contributions will be deeply missed.

As a scholar of the farmers' movement and a cooperative leader, Holkar's work has had a lasting impact on the state's agricultural community. His dedication to the causes of farmers, cooperatives, and education has inspired countless individuals, and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.

In the wake of his passing, it is clear that Changdevrao Holkar will be remembered as a true champion of the farmers' movement and a visionary leader in the cooperative sector.

His contributions to the development of Maharashtra's agricultural community will never be forgotten, and his legacy will continue to inspire and motivate future generations of farmers, cooperative leaders, and educators.

The state of Maharashtra has lost a truly remarkable individual, and his passing will be deeply felt across the agricultural and cooperative sectors.

However, his legacy will live on, and his contributions to the development of the state's agricultural community will continue to be celebrated and recognized for years to come.

As the news of his passing spreads, it is clear that Changdevrao Holkar will be deeply missed by all those who knew him and worked with him.

But even in death, his legacy will continue to inspire and motivate others to follow in his footsteps and work towards the development of Maharashtra's agricultural community.

The passing of Changdevrao Holkar is a significant loss, but it is also a reminder of the lasting impact that one individual can have on a community and a state.

It is a testament to the power of dedication, hard work, and a commitment to the causes of others.

And it is a reminder that even in death, the legacy of a true champion of the farmers' movement and a visionary leader in the cooperative sector will live on forever.

What it means for Mumbai and Maharashtra is that the state has lost a remarkable leader who dedicated his life to the welfare of farmers and the development of the cooperative sector. His passing will be deeply felt, but his legacy will continue to inspire and motivate others to work towards the development of the state's agricultural community.