Book collates struggle of Panshet flood victims

PUNE: Kahani Panshet Purgrasthanchi, a book authored by Mangesh Kharate, has highlighted the lengthy rehabilitation process of those who suffered after Panshet dam breached its walls 55 years ago.
Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, who released the book at a function held on Tuesday, said Kharate along with Panshet Purgrastha Samiti, had fought a hard battle in the rehabilitation process.
"Kharate did not hold any agitations. Instead, this common man, fought the battle by meeting every official, be it at the district level or in Mantralay, MLAs, and several ministers. He studied the rehabilitation rules, and pursued the issues of the 4,000-odd people affected by the floods," he said. Hundreds of people lost their lives during the floods which occurred on July 12, 1961, he added.
MLA Medha Kulkarni, former rehabilitation minister Patangrao Kadam, deputy mayor Mukari Algude, Pune city Congress chief Ramesh Bagwe, former minister Balasaheb Shivarkar, and former MLC Mohan Joshi were present.