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I
was born into a farmer's family of Nathra village, Tehsil Parali in
Beed district of Marathwada region in Maharashtra on December 12, 1949.
My father Pandurangrao and
mother Limbabai, struggled against heavy odds and did not spare any
efforts to provide education for me.
After the death of my father in 1969, my brothers took care of my
education. Their struggle against poverty and plight of people in the
perennially drought-stricken Beed district left an indelible mark on my
young mind. This was perhaps the time when I made up my mind to do some
thing to bring cheer to the suffering people.
My
primary education was in the village (population then 500, now about
1000) that did not have a school building. The "school" was held under
the shade of a tree. Later, the Zilla Parishad constructed a three-room
building, but I have pleasant memories of my school days.
I was an average student; not very bright, not a dullard either. I was,
however, determined to study even when I was not feeling well.
I remember having trodden a long stretch of 12 km to appear for the examination, even though my foot was badly swollen.
I moved on to tehsil town Parali for the secondary education in the
Zilla Parishad School. Arya Samaj Mandir in this little town gave me a
broader perspective of humanity and religion. I used to go to the
Mandir everyday to read newspapers and books and listen to discourses
given by men of wisdom.
After matriculation, I joined the college in Ambejogai for graduation
in Commerce. I did not have political background in my family, yet I
was drawn to the students' movement in the college. I became a
kingmaker of sorts, ensuring victory of members of my group though I
did not win an election even once during those four memorable years.
Our
family includes Sister Saraswati Karad. She is
followed by my elder brother Pandit Anna, who is actively involved
in social and political work. He supports me in my activities in my
assembly constituency, Renapur. I am the third child in the family. I am followed by younger brothers, Manikrao and Venkatrao . Both of them stay in Parali to take care of our farm.
My wife Pradnya a graduate, is a perfect housewife. We met during my
college days at Ambajogai. Her elder brother Pramod Mahajan
(Information and Broadcasting Minister in the Atal Behari Vajpayee government) was my senior in the college.
Our eldest daughter
Pankaja has passed out from Ruia College, Mumbai, in
1999. She took up Master's programme in Business Administration.
Pritam,
our second daughter. She had an ambition to become a doctor
and she is presently studying in a medical college.
Yashashri, the youngest daughter She is studying in Mumbai. Pradnya says all the three kids
are Daddy's Daughters who yearn for his love and affection all the
time.
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