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HISTORY
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POST-INDEPENDENCE PERIOD.
It may here be Pointed out that within two years after the Second World War independence dawned upon Candrapur with the rest of India, on 15th August 1947. Amidst great rejoicings the people of Candrapur celebrated the day. The tri-coloured national flag was hoisted by Belsare, the Parliamentary Secretary from Nagpur. In the evening a public meeting was held under the chairmanship of Belsare. Public gardens, chauks, streets, townhall, library and the market were renamed after the national leaders, in memory of the great day [RCl.pp. 299-351; And-The History of Freedom Movement in Madhya Pradesh
Nagpur, 1956.].
To return to the narrative: After Independence, in the Shukla ministry in Madhya Pradesh, Kannamwar was minister for health. He was originally a staunch supporter of separate Vidarbha, better known as Mahavidarbha or Nag-Vidarbha movement. Incidentally it may be noted here that with the Reorganisation of the States in 1956, Candrapur district was transferred from the Madhya Pradesh to the former Bombay State, and then to Maharastra with the bifurcation of the State in 1960. Shri Kannamwar willingly bowed to the decision taken by the Government of India. In this regard the late Bapuji Aney notes that when in 1956 he was taken ill at Poona, Kannamwar had been to see him. Bapuji's friend Brijlal Biyani who was then with him, told him that Kannamwar was a lead-ing Vidarbhavadi. But it seems that on this point finally Kannamwar had to yield to stronger forces from Western Maharastra.
Because of his life-long public service, hold over both the masses and elites, and wide practical experience he was made the Chief Minister of Maharastra in 1962, by the Congress Party. By his devotion to the party and hold over the masses he rose from humble beginnings to the position of a Chief Minister. By his organising skill, strong common sense and compromising nature he successfully led the ministry till he was unexpectedly snatched away by death in 1963 [T. N. Katkar-Karmavir Kannamwar.].
Among the social workers of Candrapur district, Babasaheb Amte of Waroda, by his Leprosy Asylum, has merited the attention of all the public, the Government and social workers from abroad.
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