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PUBLIC LIFE AND VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
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PUBLIC LIFE
A cadre of public-spirited and enlightened social workers and public men have helped the enrichment of the public life of Akola. In fact, ever since the beginning of the national freedom movement the district never lagged behind the main currents in the national life. The calls of the national leaders were always responded to by the rank and file in the district. The galaxy of public men who played an important role in shaping the public life in the district includes the late Brijalal Biyani, Dr. Khedkar, Punjabrao Deshmukh, Dadasaheb Khaparde, all of whom guided, inspired and reflected the aspirations and volitions of the people in the district. Besides these luminaries, the services rendered by other leaders of public opinion, such as, Shri S. K. Wankhede, Shri Madhusudan Vairale, and many others are of immense value. A special mention must be made of the late Gadge Maharaj who had a considerable following among the masses in Akola district. The late Gadge Maharaj inspired the establishment of a number of schools and other institutions for the emancipation of the down-trodden, and the protection of the cow which is so very sacred to the Hindus.
The work of the late Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh in the field of education could be rated as of a very high order. The Shivaji Education Society which established many schools and colleges in the Akola district is a fit monument to his valuable services. The appraisal of educational development in the district suggests the valuable work done by him as well as by Laxminarayan Toshniwal and many others who have helped the establishment of many educational institutions. These institutions have generated a sense of awakening in the urban as well as rural areas in the district which has had a salient effect on shaping the public life in general.
The trading community also has had a lion's share in the advancement of the course of education. Benevolent members
of the community have given considerable donations for the establishment of schools and colleges. In the political field too Akola has always retained an important position, and produced veteran politicians who earned an honoured position in the State politics. The district has been divided into one Parliamentary constituency, seven Assembly constituencies, and three Legislative council constituencies. In the 1967 General Elections the. district was represented in Parliament by a candidate belonging to the Congress Party, and in the State Assembly by five from the Congress party and one from the Republican Party. In the same General Election, the Akola and Buldhana districts were combinedly represented in the legislative council by one representative of the Congress Party.
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