Memorials in Nagpur & Wardha to honour legacy of Datta Meghe Union minister Nitin Gadkari and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Saturday that memorials will be constructed in Nagpur and Wardha to honor the legacy of former minister Datta Meghe, a revered leader known for his compassion and dedication to social upliftment. The announcement was made during a condolence meeting held at VCA Jamtha, where political leaders from various parties gathered to pay tribute to Meghe, affectionately called “Dattabhau.” The event brought together ministers, legislators, former public representatives, members of the Meghe family, including his sons MLA Sameer and Sagar, mayor Neeta Thakre, labour minister Akash Fundkar, and several other prominent figures. Gadkari, who described Meghe as “a rare personality in politics,” recounted the leader’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a pillar of support for thousands. He shared a personal story about a vegetable vendor’s son diagnosed with cancer, who could not afford treatment. After recovering, the boy sought education, and Meghe ensured his admission to an engineering program. Gadkari highlighted that the boy, now an MTech graduate and professor, exemplified Meghe’s generosity. “There are countless such stories that reflect his selflessness,” Gadkari said, emphasizing how Meghe’s actions transformed lives. Chief minister Fadnavis echoed Gadkari’s sentiments, calling Meghe “a true leader of the masses, especially the underprivileged.” He described Meg, who rose from a poor background through determination, as a symbol of perseverance and selfless service. Fadnavis noted that Meghe’s education was funded through hard-earned money, enabling him to build a strong political and social presence.#nitin_gadkari #devendra_fadnavis #datta_meghe #sameer_meghe #vca_jamtha
With Moist Eyes, Heartfelt Gratitude, City Bids Farewell To Datta Meghe Hundreds of political leaders, party workers, and citizens gathered in Nagpur on Monday to pay their final respects to Datta Meghe, a former MP, veteran politician, and educationist who passed away at the age of 89. His death marked the end of a public career spanning over five decades, leaving a profound void in Vidarbha’s political and institutional landscape. The funeral proceedings, held at his residence in Atrey Layour, drew a large crowd of mourners who stood in long queues for a final glimpse of the late leader. The atmosphere was somber, with many visibly emotional as they paid homage to Meghe, whose contributions to education, healthcare, and social welfare had deeply resonated with the people. Meghe, known for his unwavering commitment to public service, had built a vast support base across political, educational, and social spheres. His influence extended beyond Nagpur, with leaders from various parties and backgrounds attending his funeral. Among those present were Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar, former minister Satish Chaturvedi, and former MP Vilas Muttemwar. Other attendees included legislators, former ministers, administrative officials, and police personnel, reflecting the deep respect and connection he maintained with the community. The mortal remains of Meghe were displayed for public viewing until early afternoon before being transported to his village in Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, where his last rites were conducted with state honors in the evening. His passing is seen as the end of an era in Vidarbha, where he was widely regarded as a leader who seamlessly integrated politics with grassroots development.#nagpur #vidarbha #datta_meghe #sawangi_meghe #atrey_layour
Thousands gather at Sawangi for Meghe’s last rites Datta Meghe, a prominent political leader and educationist who played a pivotal role in shaping public life across Vidarbha for decades, was cremated with state honors on Sunday evening at his farm in Wardha. The event drew thousands of mourners and tributes from across political, educational, and social circles. Meghe, a former member of parliament, passed away in Nagpur on Sunday, and his body was brought to his residence in Sawangi (Meghe) on Monday. A steady stream of citizens, including people from political, educational, and social sectors, gathered to pay their respects, reflecting his deep influence in the region. The funeral procession began in the afternoon, moving from Sawangi (Meghe) to his residence, with crowds lining the route to catch a final glimpse. Floral tributes were placed at various points along the way, and chants of “Datta Meghe amar rahe” echoed as the procession passed. The last rites were conducted at his farm, in accordance with his wishes. His sons, ex-MLC Sagar Meghe and Hingna MLA Sameer Meghe, lit the funeral pyre in the presence of family members, marking an emotional ceremony. Prominent leaders attended the event to honor Meghe, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, State Minister Pankaj Bhoyar, and several legislators and former ministers. Senior administrative and police officials were also present. Meghe was widely regarded as a key figure in the Wardha-Nagpur region, having been elected to the Lok Sabha multiple times. Over the years, he worked across political parties, focusing on public welfare and regional development.#nitin_gadkari #devendra_fadnavis #datta_meghe #sawangi_meghe #chandrashekhar_bawankule
Datta Meghe, one of Vidarbha’s tallest politicians and education network builder, passes away at 89 Nagpur: Datta Meghe, one of Vidarbha’s most enduring political figures and the founder of one of Maharashtra’s largest private education networks, passed away on Sunday at the age of 89. His younger son Sameer Meghe, a BJP MLA from Hingna, said, “My father never refused to help anyone who came to him. That is how I want people to remember him.” Meghe’s passing marks the end of a public life that stretched across five decades, two houses of Parliament, the Maharashtra Legislative Council, and three national parties. Born on November 11, 1936, in Pawnar in Wardha district, Meghe graduated with a BA from Nagpur University in 1963 and worked briefly as a development officer with LIC before entering public life. Meghe entered the Maharashtra Legislative Council in 1978 and served three consecutive terms there until 1991, a run of over 13 years that gave him a firm grounding in state politics. During that stretch, he served as minister of state for housing and civil supplies and technical education, and later as cabinet minister for energy and forests. He also served as leader of opposition in the Legislative Council. Meghe entered the Parliament in 1991, when he won the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat on a Congress ticket with over 3.28 lakh votes. Meghe had later recalled he contested the election at the personal encouragement of Rajiv Gandhi, whose assassination had briefly delayed the polls. He was re-elected from Ramtek in 1996 and from Wardha in 1998, giving him three consecutive Lok Sabha terms. After a stint in the Rajya Sabha from 2002 to 2008, he returned to the Lok Sabha in 2009 from Wardha. His party affiliations tracked the shifting currents of Maharashtra politics across four decades.#devendra_fadnavis #datta_meghe #sameer_meghe #sagar_meghe #rajiv_gandhi
Datta Meghe, a prominent figure in Vidarbha politics and a key architect of Maharashtra's private education system, has passed away at the age of 89. His death marks the end of a career spanning over five decades, during which he held significant roles in state and national politics, as well as in the development of educational and healthcare infrastructure across rural Maharashtra. Born on November 11, 1936, in Pawnar, Wardha district, Meghe graduated with a BA from Nagpur University in 1963. After a brief stint as a development officer with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), he entered public life. His political journey began in 1978 when he was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council, where he served three consecutive terms until 1991. During this period, he held ministerial positions in state departments such as housing, civil supplies, technical education, energy, and forests. He also served as leader of opposition in the Legislative Council. Meghe's political career expanded in 1991 when he won the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat on a Congress ticket, securing over 3.28 lakh votes. He was re-elected from Ramtek in 1996 and Wardha in 1998, earning three consecutive Lok Sabha terms. After a stint in the Rajya Sabha from 2002 to 2008, he returned to the Lok Sabha in 2009 from Wardha. His party affiliations shifted over time, aligning with Congress in 1978, joining the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999 after Sharad Pawar's split, and returning to Congress in 2008. The break with Congress occurred in 2014 after his son Sagar lost the Wardha Lok Sabha seat, leading the family to feel sidelined. Meghe resigned from Congress, citing neglect of Vidarbha's interests, and along with his sons Sagar and Sameer, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in July 2014.#life_insurance_corporation_of_india #nationalist_congress_party #datta_meghe #maharashtra_legislative_council
