About Hon. Late Shri. Balasaheb Deoram Wagh (Bhau)
Ex-President, K K Wagh Education Society, Nashik
Balasaheb Deoram Wagh alias Bhau (1932-2022) was born in the legendary family of Padma Shri Karmaveer Kakasaheb Wagh and Geetai Wagh. His personality blossomed in the influential company of his able father’s reputable and progressive friends, associates and well-wishers notably Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh, Karmaveer Bhausaheb Hire, Vasantdada Patil, Karmaveer Dadasaheb Gaikwad, Krantisinh Nana Patil, Kavi Kusumagraj and grandfather Sayaji Wagh.
Balasaheb completed his graduation in agriculture and joined as an agricultural officer in Maharashtra Sugar Mills, Tilak Nagar, Shrirampur in the early 1960s. He served as a secretary at Sanjeevani Co-operative Sugar factory, Kopargaon. With his able management and people skills, Balasaheb soon climbed the ranks of Managing Director at Niphad Co- operative Sugar factory and Chairman at K. K. Wagh Co-operative Sugar Factory.
He was associated with and worked for the betterment of various industries notable Nashik District Central Co-operative Bank, Deccan Sugar Technologists Association, Deccan Sugar Institute (now VSI Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Pune), National Heavy Engineering Corporation Ltd., and Distillation Association of Maharashtra. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Niphad Taluka Grahak Mandal, Kakasaheb Nagar Grahak Sahakari Sanstha, Kakasaheb Nagar Fruits & Vegetables Association and Medical trust at his village. He was elected as Director for Nashik District Central Co-operative Bank (NDCC) for the period 1980-1985.
Balasaheb pioneered the construction of 250 irrigation weirs/ bunds in Niphad Taluka of Nashik as a community initiative with the support of natives through his tenure as President of Karmaveer Kakasaheb Wagh Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. This has proved to be a boon to farmers in the region and provided a new model for water management for irrigated agriculture. as a community initiative with the support of natives.
Considering his in-depth knowledge in the field of water resources, irrigation and the cooperative movement, the Government of Maharashtra and Hon. Chief Minister included the name of Balasaheb Wagh in this commission as a member. Balasaheb had been an active member of the irrigation committee commissioned by the then CM Shri Manohar Joshi and with water management experts such as Dr. Madhavrao Chitale.
Balasaheb had played a prime role in the establishment of the Association of managements of un-aided Engineering, Polytechnics and Agriculture & Agriculture allied Colleges in Maharashtra. Due to his work and commitment, he had been elected as an unopposed President of the Associations for 17 to 19 years. Due to his rich experience in agriculture and love for nature, all campuses of K K Wagh Education Society metamorphosed into lush greenery in the form of rare varieties of floral biodiversity.
Inspired by the teachings and guidance of late Padma Shri Karmaveer Kakasaheb Wagh, Balasaheb continued to establish and take educational institutions to new heights of reputation and integrity. While serving as a Trustee, Vice-President and President of K K Wagh Education Society since 1970, he established schools (CBSE & State Board) & colleges in the field of Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Fine Art, and Performing Art along with traditional Arts, Science, and Commerce and Computer Science. Being an alchemist, he strived for spreading the mark of K K Wagh across the globe from rural areas. Up to Academic Year 2000, only One College and Five Schools were established. Afterward, continuous development resulted in the establishment of 9 campuses and 30 different colleges and schools by 2022.
Babasaheb Wagh played a major role in the accreditation of Engineering College & Polytechnics. He continually sought to add quality & quantity by attracting efficient faculty and new branches & disciplines. With a motto of ‘simple living and high thinking’, Balasaheb, a true ‘Gandhian’ worked tirelessly for 50 years towards the welfare and establishment of farmers and society, through cooperative movement and education.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra felicitated and acclaimed Balasaheb as the ‘Sage’ and conferred the title as the ‘Torch-Bearer’ for lighting the lives of several thousand people through education. He was honoured with various prestigious awards like Krushi Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar, Jeevan Sadhana Gaurav Puraskar, Edupreneurs Award, Nashik Bhushan Puraskar, Samajratna and Pitru Puraskar for his valuable contribution to the social and educational field.
With his zeal and infinite energy, he tapped people’s hearts and inspired them to undertake global challenges. He planted the spirit of K.K. Wagh in each and every one he touched. Due to his generous approach and dedicated contribution, his memories will be cherished and remembered forever in the minds of several thousand stakeholders.
What the famous American poet Robert Frost noted applies to him completely:
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep
Promises I have to keep
Miles to go before I sleep
Miles to go before I sleep.”
