Hon. Late Shri. Balasaheb Deoram Wagh (Bhau)

Ex-President,

Association of the Managements of Un-aided Professional Colleges (Mah.)

A symbol of DETERMINATION-DEVOTION – DILIGENCE

Balasaheb Devram Wagh alias Bhau (1932-2022) was born in the legendary family of Padmashri 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 grand father 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 notably 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 GrahakMandal, Kakasaheb Nagar Grahak SahakariSanstha, Kakasaheb Nagar Fruits & Vegetables Association and Medical trust at his village. He was also 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 cooperative initiative through his tenure as Trustee, Vice President & 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.

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 the irrigation 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.

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 Padmashree Karmaveer Kakasaheb Wagh, Balasaheb continued to establish and take the educational institutions to new heights of reputation and integrity. As 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 to spread the mark of K K Wagh across the globe from rural areas. Up to Academic Year 2000, only one Engineering College, Two Polytechnics and two Schools were established. Afterward, continuous development resulted in the establishment of 9 campuses and 30 different colleges/ Polytechnic 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.

Hon. Late Balasaheb was honored with various prestigious awards like Krushi Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar, Jeevan Sadhana Gaurav Puraskar, Edupreneurs Award, Nashik Bhushan Puraskar, Samaj Ratna 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 KWagh 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.

Balasaheb had played a prime role in the establishment of the Association of managements of unaided 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 since its inception from 2003 till his demise in 2022. He was instrumental in highlighting and solving various issues of the Association member institutes. He represented the constituent colleges in meetings with the government agencies such as Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), AICTE, Fee Regulating Authority (FRA) as well as various Government departments and got the problems solved in an amicable manner.