Shiwajirao Nalawade

Shiwajirao Vishnu Nalawade
Born	Shiwajirao Vishnu Nalawade June 1, 1954 Mumbai

Shiwajirao Vishnu Nalawade (born June 1, 1954) is the president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sahakar Sena, which is affiliated to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena,^[1] founded by Hon. Rajsaheb Thackeray. Nalawade was also the founder President of Mumbai North East District Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and thereafter, Vice-President of NCP, Mumbai Region.

Early life

Shiwajirao Vishnu Nalawade was born on June 1, 1954 to Vishnu Genuji Nalawade and Vithabai Vishnu Nalawade. His father's name is Shri. Vishnu Genuji Nalawade, who was an employer of Modi Firestone in Mumbai. His mother Smt.Vithabai, on the other hand, looked after the family farm at Dholwad, Taluka, Junnar District, in Pune.

Nalawade completed his school from Shivneri Vidyalay Dholwad. He, then, pursued his university studies at the Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala Night College, Major in Arts, in Ghatkopar-West, Mumbai. Since young, he was already very active in student politics.

Career

Leadership at trade union

In 1972, Nalawade started his career in Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Powai, Mumbai as a clerk helper. There, he got involved with trade union activities as a leader. He started from a shop committee member to the joint secretary. He finally reached the post of the general secretary, over more than 7000 workers, under the flag of "Bharatiya Kamgar Sena Union" until 1981. Thereafter, he formed his own workers' union by the name "Kamgar Kranti Sanghatan Union", which was mainly operational in un-organized labour sector.

Leadership in co-operatives

In 1993, he was elected as the director at Mumbai District Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., also known as Mumbai Bank. Representing the Urban Co-operative Credit Societies Constituency, Mumbai Bank has a turnover of Rs. 55 billion. During this tenure, he was elected as a Chairman of the bank three times. In fact, he has been leading Brihanmumbai Nagari Sahakari Patsanstha Federation Limited, Mumbai as a chairman since 30 March 2003 to channelize the co-operative movement through Urban Co-operative Credit Societies. He also started a monthly magazine named Patsanstha Pariwar on 13 November 2000, the same date as the birthday of Co-operative Leader and Ex-Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sahakar Maharshi, late Shri. Vasantdada Patil. The magazine, which covers all types of important information about the latest updates and developments in co-operative movement, is established to raise the voice of co-operative workers in Maharashtra, and is available all across Maharashtra.

Free "Mediclaim" policy project for citizens

He was very keen in making healthcare facilities available to citizens of Maharashtra. In the year 2008, he introduced a healthcare plan to the Ministers of Maharashtra State by implementing a "Group Mediclaim" policy to all the families in Maharashtra State. After getting a negative response from them, he himself implemented his proposal for the needy 22,450 families in Ghatkopar. His project covered 100,000 people, having a sum assured of Rs. 50,000/- per family, through Oriental Insurance Company. In fact, hundreds of families took benefit of this "Group Mediclaim" Policy amounting to Rs 3.2 million.

First ever generic medical shop

After joining MNS, he was once again in search of the right healthcare facilities to be provided to the citizens. With the information he gathered, he opened the first ever generic medicine shop named Janadhar Medical and General Stores in Ghatkpop West, Maharashtra, which is run and managed under his flagship NGO Janadhar Pratishthan. The shop was inaugurated by Hon. Rajsaheb Thackeray on 14 January 2013. People become enthusiastic since Janadhar Medical and General Stores is selling most of the common generic medicines manufactured by well known companies like Cipla, Lupin, and Dr. Reddy's among others. More importantly, the items are up to 85% less compared to other medical shops. He said that the secret behind this drastic cost reduction lies in honestly, passing the purchase cost to the customers after only adding the management cost of the shop.

Political career and achievements

• Nalawade started his political career in 1977.
• He was a Secretary of Mumbai Pradesh Youth Congress Committee(s).
• He worked as a general secretary for Mumbai North East Congress Committee.
• A first grand meeting and rally was organised by Nalawade on 23 May 1999 at Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan, Mumbai, to support the establishment of Nationalist Congress Party on 10 June 1999.
• He was the President of Mumbai North East District Nationalist Congress Party for 3 years from the establishment of NCP.
• It was in his command that the highest ever 10 corporations were elected from Mumbai North East District, whereas only 14 corporations were elected all over Mumbai.
• He played the main role in election campaigns of MP and MLA candidates of his erstwhile party since 1985.

Achievement in social field

Personal life

He is married to Sarita Nalawade with three children. Their elder daughter, Varsha, is a doctor and the elder son, Raja is a banker. Whereas the youngest son, Avinash, is a sous chef turned hotelier.

References