| The dynamic, popular leader with long administrative experience, organisational skill, good oratary was born on May 26, 1945 at Babhalgaon in District Latur of Marathwada.
The socio-political career of Shri Deshmukh spans over 30 eventful years during which he rose from Sarpanch of his native place, Babhalgaon to the Chief Minister of the Progressive State of Maharashtra.
Shri Deshmukh, graduated in Science (B.Sc.), Arts ( B.A) and Law ( L.LB.), (Pune University) started social activities in his early youth. He took keen interest in drought relief work and helped the farmers.
He was elected as Director on Osmanabad District Central Cooperative Bank and also on Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank in 1979;
Political Career
He entered active politics and became member of the Babhalgaon Village Panchayat from 1974 to 1979 and its Sarpanch from 1974 to 1976;
He was a member of Osmanabad Zilla Parishad and Dy. Chairman of Latur Taluka Panchayat Samiti from 1974 to 1980.
As a President of Osmanabad District Youth Congress from 1975 to 1978, he worked for successful implementation of Five Point Programme of the Youth Congress. He made special efforts to organise the youth in Osmanabad district and became President of Taluka Indian National Congress.
He was Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 1980 to 1995. During this period, as the Minister of State and the Cabinet Minister, Shri Deshmukh looked after almost all departments like Home, General Administration, Cooperation, Public Works, Transport, Legislative Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development Fisheries, Industry, Rural Development, Education, Technical Education, Sports and Youth Welfare,
He was re-elected to the State Legislature from Latur Constituency in the elections held in September 1999.
He took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on October 18, 1999. He was Chief Minister till 17 January 2003.
He has been re-elected to the State Legislative Assembly from Latur Constituency in the Elections held in October 2004.
He took oath of Chief Ministership second time on November 1, 2004.
Foreign Tour
Shri Deshmukh had an opportunity to visit Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan and Hong Kong in 1980, to study Cooperative Movement and Agricultural Development.
He also visited West Germany, France, England, United States and Japan in 1981.
As the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, he led a official delegation in May 2000, to U.S.A. and UK and visited New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, Washington and London to interact with the investors to bring investment to Maharashtra.
Manjra Project
From April 1995 to October 17, 1999, when he was not in Government, he kept himself engaged in expansion of his dream project - The Manjara Co-op.Sugar Mill. The Mill is computerised and well equipped with wireless system. It established a world record in 1994-95 and in 1997-98 by crushing the highest quantity of sugarcane. It has bagged 34 awards on national and international level for excellence in production and management.
Educational Activities
Shri Deshmukh firmly believes that education is the key to progress. He, therefore, founded the Manjra Charitable Trust which is doing commendable work . The Trust runs three colleges in Latur area and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology and Sushiladevi Deshmukh Vidyalaya at Airoli, Navi Mumbai.
His hobbies include reading, classical music, volleyball and table tennis.
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