Dilip Walse-Patil

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Dilip Walse-Patil is an Indian politician, known to be close to Mr. Sharad Pawar, the Agriculture Minister in the central cabinet. Patil heads the ministries of Energy (excluding non-conventional energy), Higher & Technical Education and Medical Education, for the Government of Maharashtra. He belongs to NCP and leads the AMBEGAON (Manchar) constituency in Pune district.

With his father being an active politician, leadership has been instilled in this Maharashtra's beloved son since childhood. He learnt his early lessons in active politics as a PA to Sharad Pawar, the Maratha strongman and still is one of Pawar's highly trusted lieutenants. He took on Kisanrao Bankhele in Ambegaon in 1990 to become an MLA for the first time and is currently serving the people of Maharashtra for a fourth consecutive term.

In spite of his painstaking efforts, he has continuously been in the line of fire for the recent power crisis in Maharashtra. His efforts are slowly showing fruit since there have been significant improvements in power generation. He has been instrumental in streamling the working of MSEB, the power company in Maharashtra. However, the evergrowing demand still continues to be the major roadblock in the path of Maharastra becoming a power surplus state.

Apart from Power, which seems to take away all the limelight, Patil has made some significant contributions to education in Maharashtra. He has implemented some vital changes to make the admission procedure for medical seats, more transparent. His initiative in encouraging the setup of new engineering colleges and in their smooth approval process, has created an atmosphere conducive to education.

Leaders like Patil keep the hope for a better Maharashtra, alive.