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My close relationship with Jayantrao Tilak,Lokmanya Tilaks grandson and the editor of Kesari at the time,ensured that I was in the thick of the action all through the movement of Sanyukta Maharashtra.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the formation of Maharashtra,a few senior citizens who experienced the same firsthand reminisce about the achievement of statehood half a century ago

V K Mehendale,92 years
My close relationship with Jayantrao Tilak,Lokmanya Tilaks grandson and the editor of Kesari at the time,ensured that I was in the thick of the action all through the movement of Sanyukta Maharashtra. Leaders like SM Joshi,Senapati Bapat and Shripad Amrit Dange conducted several agitations all over the city,many of which I attended. I was also part of the huge demonstration against Jawaharlal Nehru at Pratapgad,when he came to inaugurate a statue of Shivaji. About one lakh people took part in that agitation,and I feel proud to have been associated with the event that went a long way in the formation of our state. Several people lost their lives for the cause,and it was a long,hard battle. When Maharashtra finally became an independent state,the joy all around the city was infectious. Every nook and corner of the region erupted in celebration,and I too was ecstatic and swollen with pride.

Moreshwar Kher,86 years
I remember the atmosphere of severe unrest during the time of the agitation for a separate state of Maharashtra. There were many meetings held by various political leaders in Pune,and the agitations even got violent on several occasions. I was working in the Pune Municipal Corporation at the time,and my joy knew no bounds when the news of the formation of Maharashtra came in. Maharashtra has been one of the most progressive states in the past few decades,but with progress,several social evils such as injustice,inequality and corruption have become rampant. We must work hard to curb these drawbacks of society,and then only can the state of Maharashtra as well as the country move ahead on the path of development.

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Ramchandra Gaikwad,72 years
I was at Narayangaon,a small village outside of Pune,when Maharashtra became an independent state. I had just finished my degree college and had gone back to my hometown. Since it was a rural area there was not much agitation there,but I do remember nearby schools and colleges being closed for the protest against the Central Government. However,there was a lot of happiness and celebration all around when Maharashtra became independent,and I remember the enthusiasm,which spread throughout the state amongst all Marathi people.

Vijay Deshpande,70 years
I was studying in Vidharbha,where a major part of the movement took place. This ensured that I saw both sides of the movement,as there was a big chunk of the population in that region that wanted a separate state of Vidharbha. I witnessed many agitations led by great leaders like S M Joshi and S A Dange. Although the agitations were peaceful,the resolve and determination was evident. I hail from the Amravati district in Eastern Maharashtra,and was always supportive of the formation of a state of Marathi-speaking people. I was extremely happy when the government announced the creation of the state of Maharashtra on the May 1,1960.

Appa Ukarande,61 years
I was only in standard four or five when Maharashtra attained its independent status,but I vividly remember the initiative taken by my school to celebrate the occasion. We witnessed several cultural programs,songs and dances illuminating Marathi culture. Since all of us were just young students,we did not really know what was going on,but the joy and elation around us was infectious and made us realize the magnitude of the event that had occurred.

(As told to Rishi Iyengar)

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Turn the Page

My close relationship with Jayantrao Tilak,Lokmanya Tilaks grandson and the editor of Kesari at the time,ensured that I was in the thick of the action all through the movement of Sanyukta Maharashtra.

My close relationship with Jayantrao Tilak,Lokmanya Tilaks grandson and the editor of Kesari at the time,ensured that I was in the thick of the action all through the movement of Sanyukta Maharashtra.