Hon. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil

Padmashri Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil, the great soul departed, but left behind glowing light and energy, with endless spirit and tremendous potential of development in his son Shri Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, Member of Parliament, Govt. of India., who broadened the base of Economic Revolution. Hon'ble Shri. E.V.alias Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, worthy son of Late Padmashri, a leader of reckoning in Maharashtra State, Member of Parliament for over two decades took upon himself the arduous task of translating the dreams of his father into concrete realities by meticulous, punctilious planning and by offering dynamic and pragmatic leadership to the Society.

He, however, realised that awareness among people was not fully ripened as yet. Peoples' participation was still slower. Though economic prosperity took off, with the establishment of Pravara Sugar Factory, social awareness amongst the small peasants was still a missing link, to complete the process of economic development, Educational Reforms were the solution.

If the already launched co-operative movement was to survive, both'awareness" and People's participation, among the rural small peasantry in general, and among rural poors in particular were to be raised considerably. He undertook various projects with peoples participation, with a view,to improve the quality of life of the Rural peasantry, majority of whom were economically backward.

SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION THROUGH EDUCATION: With this realisation, he adopted a strategy to raise awareness amongst the small peasants and the rural poor, through spread of technical and non-technical education.

The spread of 'Education Revolution' with full initial financial and infrastructural support from the Pravara Sugar Factory thus "took off", giving birth to several educational institutions of repute. The vast spread of network of educational institutions, which today are seen, as an 'excellent example', of imparting education in rural areas was not built in a day. This has been built, brick by brick, on the basis of realisation of acute need for education, in remote parts of the rural areas.

The seed laid by the Padmashri blossomed into a sylvan symphony with a large chain of educational institutions. Pravara Medical Trust , Pravra Rural Education Society, Padmashri Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Foundation , Pravara Institute of Research & Education In Natural and Social Sciences are the educational institutions of eminence,fully well equipped, with modern infrastructural facilities, supported by well qualified and competent faculty.

Mention must be made that all institutions are duly recognised by the concerned statutory bodies of State and Central Governments. Such institutions also provide opportunities to those, who otherwise can't afford higher education in big cities, due to higher cost of living.

The mission of Pravara Medical Trust established in 1972 by Padmashri Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil, was further strengthened by Balasaheb. Provision of state of the art Medical education to the people of this remote rural area, was added upon to the comprehensive quality health care model.