The former Union Minister, Mohan Dharia, passed away at a hospital here on Monday morning. He was 88. He was accorded a state funeral. He was a fierce advocate of farmer rights. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2005.
Mr. Dharia was born on February 14, 1925 in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. A lawyer by profession, he was a part of the Praja Socialist Party during the Freedom struggle. He was a Minister of State in the Indira Gandhi government and fiercely opposed the Emergency. This earned him the title of ‘Young Turk.’
Later, as a member of the Janata Party, he was Union Commerce Minister.
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After retiring from active politics, Mr. Dharia led a movement for water conservation through his organisation, Vanrai.
Honest worker: Chavan
“Mohan Dharia’s contribution to politics and the environment as an honest worker is unforgettable,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said.
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Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, who attended the funeral, said: “He was a selfless warrior all throughout his life. He has been an inspiration to people of Maharashtra.”