Memorial volume "Vasant Smriti" released on Vasant Sathe's birth centenary

A memorial volume titled "Vasant Smriti" has been prepared to mark the birth centenary of veteran leader Vasant Purushottam Sathe. The volume recalls his public life, parliamentary contributions, intellectual outlook, cultural interests, administrative leadership and his long association with Vidarbha and Nagpur.

The book includes memoirs, tributes, thoughts and messages from people who knew Sathe, worked with him or were inspired by him, including prominent public figures, jurists, members of Parliament, administrators, academics, journalists and social leaders. Its central aim is to remember a visionary, progressive, intellectually independent leader connected with the people, whose public life was tied to democratic values, national development, social concerns, cultural diplomacy and public service.

Vasant Purushottam Sathe was born on March 5, 1925, in Nashik, Maharashtra. He died on September 23, 2011. He studied at Bhonsala Military School, Nashik, and at Nagpur College and Morris College, Nagpur University, where he studied economics, political science and law. At the age of just 17, he took an active part in the Quit India Movement of 1942.

Sathe was a member of the Lok Sabha from 1972 to 1991, first from Akola and later from Wardha. In the Union cabinet, he held several key ministries including Information and Broadcasting, Chemicals and Fertilisers, Steel, Mines and Coal, and Energy and Communications. As Information and Broadcasting Minister, he was directly involved in the introduction of colour television broadcasting in India around the 1982 Asian Games. He also served as chairman of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and represented India at international forums including UNESCO. He was also associated with several social, cultural, sporting and development institutions in Vidarbha.

Sathe also left his mark as a thinker and writer. He authored books including "Towards Social Revolution", "National Government: Agenda for a New India" and "Memoirs of a Rationalist". His public life is remembered for forthright statements, intellectual independence, cultural diplomacy and engagement with major national issues. Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, in his condolence message, had recalled Sathe's intellect and his contribution to public life.

Among the prominent figures who sent messages for the memorial volume were Nitin Gadkari, Devendra Fadnavis, Sharad A. Bobde, Bhushan R. Gavai, Banwarilal Purohit and Dr. Vijay Darda. Contributors to the book included Prabhakar Dupare, Dr. Uday Bodhankar, Suniti Bodhankar, Sumitra Mahajan, Padma Bhushan Dr. Ramchandra Dattatraya Lele, Padma Bhushan Dr. M. Khaliullah, Justice Vikas Sirpurkar, Justice Kishore Rohi, Kumar Ketkar, Prof. Jogendra Kawade, Dr. Vedprakash Mishra, Dr. Deepak Tempe, advocate Shrihari Aney, Shaukat Qureshi, S.V. Jama, Ulhas Pawar, Dr. Girish Gandhi, Sudhir Gadgil, S.N. Vinod, Prakash Dubey, Shripad Aparajit, Shrikrishna Chandak, Pradeep Date, Dr. Shrikant Choragade, the late Prabhakar Pathak, advocate Asif Qureshi and Narendra Gajbhiye.

The volume's editorial and publishing team was led by Prabhakar Dupare as chief editorial in-charge, with Dr. Uday Bodhankar as editor and Suniti Bodhankar as co-editor. Dr. Shrikant Choragade handled the review. Printing was done by Monal Malji and publishing by Makarand Kulkarni.

"Vasant Smriti" is more than a centenary souvenir; it is a collective memory of an exceptional public figure. Through many voices and personal recollections, it presents Vasant Sathe as a national statesman, progressive thinker, parliamentarian, administrator, cultural envoy, Vidarbha leader and an inspiring individual. The volume aims to preserve his thoughts, ideals, public service and legacy for future generations, particularly young people who may draw inspiration from his dedication to public life.

The book's central message is: "Nation first, society above all, and humanity the highest value."