President to open Chavan centenary celebrations

Mumbai -  President Pratibha Patil will inaugurate the year-long celebrations of the birth centenary of Maharashtra’s first chief minister Y.B. Chavan from March 12.

The inaugural ceremonies will be held at the Gateway of India to commemorate the contribution of the late Chavan, who became the country’s fifth deputy prime minister, said Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

“After the inauguration, on the 12th of every month, major initiatives, including welfare schemes, seminars, discussions and other programs shall be carried out across the state,” he said.

Y.B. held important portfolios in the central government before becoming the deputy prime minister between July 1979 and January 1980.