Former Mah Education Minister Sadanand Varde passes away

Mumbai, Jan 29 (UNI) Senior socialist leader and former Maharashtra Education Mnister Sadanand Varde died here today following a protracted illness.

He was 81. He is survived by wife Sudha, son Abhijit and daughter Jhelum Paranjapye, a noted Odissi dance exponent.

Family sources said the veteran Samajwadi Party leader was suffering from bone cancer. He passed away at his residence this morning. He had returned from hospital two days ago.

Born on November 6, 1925, Varde was a professor of Economics in Bandra's National College. A corporator in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for over a decade, he was elected as Samajwadi Party MLA from Bandra riding on the Janata wave in 1978.

He was sworn in as Education Minister in the Sharad Pawar-led Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) government in 1978.

Varde was closely associated with the 'Sadhana' weekly publication and Rashtra Seva Dal. He raised the 'Apna Ghar' housing complex for the survivors and orphans of the 1993 Latur Earthquake in Marathwada.

Varde served a jail sentence during the Quit India movement of 1942. He was jailed for 18 months during Emergency also.

Noted socialist leaders, including Mrinal Gore, visited the Bandra home of Varde and paid rich tributes to the departed soul. The funeral will take place at Shivaji Park electric crematorium later in the afternoon.

UNI