Veteran politician and educationist Datta Raghobaji Meghe passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 89. He passed away at his residence at Pande Layout due to old age, bringing an end to a long and influential public life. He was widely respected for his contributions to politics, education, and social development, especially in the Vidarbha region. He leaves behind wife Shalinitai Meghe; sons Sagar, an entrepreneur and educationist and Sameer, Hingna MLA and a host of relatives to mourn the loss. His mortal remains will be kept at his Nagpur residence on Monday till 1 pm. Afterwards, it will be taken to Sawangi Meghe in Wardha in the premises of Datta Meghe Group of Institutions where people can pay respects between 2.30 pm and 4.30 pm.

 

Then the mortal remains will be carried with honour to Paonar in his farm where the last rites will be performed at 5 pm. Born in a modest family in 1936 at Paonar, Datta Meghe rose through the ranks with dedication and hard work. He began his political journey at the grassroots level and gradually became a prominent leader in State and national politics. Over the years, he was associated with major political parties, including the Indian National Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and later the Bharatiya Janata Party. Meghe was Minister in Maharashtra Cabinet twice and later he was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) four times. He was also elected as Member of Rajya Sabha once. Meghe represented the Wardha constituency in the Lok Sabha twice and played an active role in raising issues related to farmers, rural development and education.

 

His speeches and interventions in Parliament were known for their clarity and focus on public welfare. He was in Congress for long time and then joined Nationalist Congress Party. Later on, he joined Bharatiya Janata Party and contributed a lot as far as social aspects are concerned. During his political career, Datta Meghe also held important positions and was considered a strong voice from the Vidarbha region. He maintained close connections with people at the grassroots level and was known for addressing their concerns with sincerity. His leadership style was seen as calm, practical, and people-oriented. Apart from politics, Meghe made a lasting impact in the field of education. He founded several educational institutions under the Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research. These institutions provide education in medicine, engineering, management, and other fields, helping thousands of students build their careers. His efforts played a key role in improving access to quality education in rural and semi-urban areas. He was the recipient of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Jeevan Sadhana Puraskar given by RTMNU. Many leaders across party lines expressed grief over his passing and paid tribute to his contributions. They described him as a visionary leader who worked tirelessly for the development of society.

 

His demise is considered a major loss not only to Maharashtra but also to the country. Family members, supporters, and well-wishers gathered to pay their last respects. His legacy as a politician, educationist, and social worker will continue to inspire future generations. His work in politics and education has left a deep and lasting impact on society. Meghe also leaves behind daughters Smita Meghe-Dhadkar and Sangita Meghe-Grover; daughters-in-law Devika and Vrunda, and grandchildren to mourn the loss. Various leaders paid condolences to Datta Meghe after his passing.