D Y Patil leaves behind legacy in education, health sports fields

Widely recognised in Maharashtra as Shikshanmaharshi, or visionary educationist, Patil held the additional charge of governor of West Bengal.

In 1983, he established the Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology (RAIT), the first engineering college in Navi Mumbai and in 1991, he was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri for his contributions to education and social service.

“My father, Padmashri Dr D Y Patil (Dada), passed away today at 11:08 am in Kolhapur at the age of 91. He was my biggest support. His entire life was devoted to social service. He took education to the lowest strata of society and lived a life full of values and principles. He was a man of principles and a true patriot for whom country came first,” his son Satej Patil said. The final rites will take place in Kolhapur on Wednesday, he said.

The Congress MLC said with his father’s departure, the sheltering banyan tree of their lives has fallen. “Our strongest pillar has fallen. Throughout his life, Dada connected with people, lit the lamp of education in the lives of millions of students, and made social service the goal of his life. He instilled in us the values of living as a good human being. His affectionate, loving hand, his reassuring words, and his teachings on living by values will forever remain our ultimate treasure… It is impossible to express these feelings in words,” he said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Dr D Y Patil helped revolutionise the education field. “He made invaluable contributions to revolutionising the education sector and bringing educational opportunities to ordinary and needy students in society. Starting from a small school, his journey is truly astounding. The reach of his work expanded to include around 200 institutions, diverse types of universities, and thousands of students, especially through the establishment of colleges offering diverse courses such as medical, engineering, pharmacy, and architecture, alongside modern facilities, he elevated not only his educational group but also the reputation of Maharashtra,” the CM said.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said, “News of the passing of former Governor, renowned educationist, and social worker Dr D Y Patil is extremely sad. His contribution to the fields of education and public service will always be remembered. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved family members, well-wishers, and supporters.”

Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said Dr Patil provided millions of students with the opportunity to gain knowledge. “Dr Patil carved out an inspiring journey, rising from a farming family to become an educationist, a Mayor, an MLA and Governor. He upheld the tradition of public service in his public life, while through the institutions he built in the education sector, he provided millions of students with the opportunity for knowledge.”  Throughout his life, Sapkal said, Dr Patil lived by the belief in action that education is the most effective tool for social transformation.

Dr Patil’s close associate and former Bombay High Court judge B G Kolse-Patil, said, “I have lost a close friend today. He was first in politics, served as an MLA. But later his financial condition deteriorated. He had no money in his pocket. Yet, he took the courageous decision to venture into education field.” Kolse-Patil said the then chief minister Vasantdada Patil wasted no time in helping Dr D Y Patil in the early ’80s.

“The Chief Minister said D Y Patil’s father had helped him when he was in a difficult situation financially. Therefore, he immediately sanctioned the proposals to set up medical and engineering colleges in Belapur. And from then on D Y Patil never looked back. He was a big-hearted person who did not flinch when it came to giving free education to poor children.”

D Y Patil’s family runs several deemed universities, private universities, and more than 180 educational institutions in cities such as Kolhapur, Mumbai, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad under the D Y Patil Group.

His sons Dr Sanjay D Y Patil, Satel Patil, Vijay D Y Patil, Dr Ajinkya D Y Patil, and daughter Dr Nandita Palshetkar, and other members are active in the education and healthcare sectors.

Educationists  poured their hearts out, with Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, chancellor of Symbiosis International University saying, “I have had the privilege of knowing and interacting with Dr Patil  over the years, and his contribution to the higher education landscape of Maharashtra and India will be remembered for generations. His passing is an immense loss to the education fraternity.”

Professor Mukund Kulkarni, vice chancellor Vishwakarma University, Pune, said, “D Y Patil played a pioneering role in transforming private education after the Government of Maharashtra encouraged private sector participation in the field. Known for his simplicity, courage, and dedication to knowledge, he made substantial contributions to both social development and education. As a visionary educationist, he recognised that producing skilled manpower was essential for improving societal well-being and national advancement, and he provided strategic leadership to the private education sector to achieve this goal.”

Vishwanath Karad, founder-president of MIT World Peace University, said, “For the past three or four decades, I shared a very close, familial bond with Dr D Y Patil. I regarded him as a visionary, a compassionate soul, and a friend akin to a brother. He was a pillar of strength for our institution. Dr D Y Patil empowered countless students from the Bahujan community by providing them with quality professional education through his numerous educational institutions. Maharashtra owes him an eternal debt of gratitude for this contribution.”

Satej Patil said the viewing of the mortal remains and the final rites will take place on August 5 in Kolhapur.