Kolhapur, Ashwini Khondre  

Padma Shri Dr. D. Y. Patil, eminent educationist, former Governor of Bihar, and a visionary who made significant contributions to the fields of education, healthcare, and social welfare, was cremated with full state honours in Kolhapur on Wednesday. He was 90.

Thousands of mourners, along with prominent political leaders, industrialists, artists, and dignitaries from across the country, gathered to pay their final respects. Dr. Patil's mortal remains were kept at his residence in Kasba Bawda for public homage before the funeral procession began at around 4 p.m.

Among those who paid their respects were Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, several senior ministers from the Maharashtra Cabinet, Members of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, along with leaders from various political parties.

The funeral procession, which commenced from Kasba Bawda, witnessed an overwhelming public response, with lakhs of people joining to bid farewell to the veteran educationist.

As a mark of respect, shops across Kasba Bawda remained closed since Tuesday. Residents paid heartfelt tribute to the man who shared a lifelong bond with the locality and was widely regarded as one of its most respected personalities.

Earlier in the day, Union and state leaders, legislators, and eminent personalities from various fields visited the residence to offer condolences. Those present included Industries Minister Uday Samant, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, retired Justice B. G. Kolse Patil, actor Bharat Jadhav, former MP Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, MLAs Amit Deshmukh, Jayant Patil, Amal Mahadik, and Shivajirao Patil. Congress MP Shahu Maharaj Chhatrapati, a close associate of Dr. Patil, shared emotional memories while paying tribute.

Several other political leaders and dignitaries, including Chhagan Bhujbal, Pankaja Munde, Prakash Abitkar, Chandradeep Narke, Sanjay Mandlik, Ravindra Mane, actor Sayaji Shinde, industrialist Sanjay Ghodawat, Rahul Pramod Mahajan, Harshwardhan Sakpal, Chandrakant Patil, Vijay Wadettiwar, Sachin Sawant, Balasaheb Thorat, Yashomati Thakur, Sunil Kedar, Balasaheb Patil, Vishwajeet Kadam, Mansingrao Naik, Hemant Ogale, Harshwardhan Patil, Vikram Sawant, and many others also attended the funeral and offered floral tributes.

Dr. D. Y. Patil dedicated his life to making quality higher education accessible to the common people. He established numerous educational institutions, medical colleges, engineering colleges, universities, and hospitals across India, creating opportunities for thousands of students and significantly strengthening the country's educational and healthcare infrastructure.

Born in Kolhapur, Dr. Patil rose to national prominence through his exemplary work in education and public service. He also served with distinction as the Governor of Bihar. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to education, the Government of India honoured him with the prestigious Padma Shri award.

Following the news of his demise, condolences poured in from across the country. Leaders from all walks of life remembered him as a visionary educationist, philanthropist, and institution builder whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.