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Ahmedabad, Oct 21 (IANS) Veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Yogendra Makwana passed away on Tuesday, leaving behind a legacy of decades of public service.
Born on October 23, 1933 in Sojitra village in Anand district of Gujarat, Makwana was a highly educated politician, holding BA, LLB and PhD degrees.
Makwana came from a family dedicated to public service.
His wife, Shantaben Makwana, was elected to the first Gujarat Legislative Assembly in 1962 and served as a minister holding the health and water resources portfolios.
His daughter, Anuradha Mall, served as an IAS officer and retired as Additional Chief Secretary of Gujarat, while his son Bharat Makwana served as an MLA from Sojitra Assembly constituency and contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Ahmedabad (West).
Makwana held key portfolios including Home Affairs, Planning, Communications, Steel and Mines, Health and Agriculture in the Union Cabinet under former Prime Ministers late Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi between 1980 and 1988.
His tenure was marked by efforts to strengthen national governance and promote inclusive growth.
Makwana’s political career began as general secretary of the Kheda District Praja Samajwadi Party before joining the Congress on the invitation of Indira Gandhi.
Throughout his life, he remained a staunch supporter of the upliftment of the Scheduled Castes and other marginalized communities.
Makwana was widely respected not only for his administrative skills but also for his ability to connect with people across social and political divisions.
Known for his pragmatic approach towards policy making, the veteran Congress leader worked tirelessly to ensure that development schemes reached the most marginalized communities.
In 2006, he was appointed Chairman of the Scheduled Castes Department of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), where he supported welfare schemes, including the Social Component Scheme, aimed at improving the lives of underprivileged communities.
Notably, he played a key role in resolving the Assam Movement, associating with the All Assam Students Union and the Assam Gana Parishad, and facilitating the political integration that led to the emergence of Prafulla Mahanta as the Chief Minister of Assam.
–IANS
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