– Ronita Torcato

From a Rs. 200 salary to a Rs. 135 crore legacy, this is the extraordinary journey of Ramsheth Thakur, a former member of parliament whose life serves as a masterclass on how true grit can transform an average individual into an inspirational figure.

At an event in the Ulwe suburb of Navi Mumbai, attended by the “who’s who” of Indian politics, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis celebrated Thakur’s saga and likened it to Eklavya, legendary figure from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, who is renowned as a symbol of ultimate devotion.

During the inauguration of the new Ramsheth Thakur Public School building, a new venture of the Janardan Bhagat Shikshan Prasarak Sanstha founded by Thakur, Fadnavis applauded the former MP as “an inspiration for the common man.”

The chief minister highlighted Thakur’s massive contribution of over Rs 135 crore to the organisation that shaped him, describing the gesture as a profound “Gurudakshina” and lauding him as the “Eklavya of the modern era.”

The programme saw high-profile attendees, notably Union minister for road transport & highways Nitin Gadkari, member of parliament and former defence minister Sharad Pawar, various state ministers including Ganesh Naik (forest minister), Ashish Shelar (IT & cultural affairs), and Aditi Tatkare (women & child development), among others.

The event highlighted Thakur’s integrity and legacy in a journey of “tenacity” from a humble teacher to a visionary leader who spent his life’s capital on educating society and establishing quality educational institutions for the development of Navi Mumbai and Raigad.

CM Fadnavis traced Thakur’s journey from a teacher earning a meagre salary of Rs 200 to a highly successful entrepreneur who built his legacy through sheer tenacity—starting his first business contract by mortgaging family jewelry. He also praised Thakur’s rare “political disinterest,” noting his decision to retire from electoral politics at the age of 52.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari extolled Thakur for his service and philanthropy and shared historical context, revealing that major infrastructure projects like the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and several flyovers which were left unfinished by contractors in 1995 were completed only with Thakur’s vital support.

Gadkari also noted Thakur’s relentless struggle to secure employment for people affected by JNPT and CIDCO projects (Including a 374-hectare Integrated Logistics Park and a 6-lane coastal road )

To mark Thakur’s 75th year, his biography “Ram Parva” was released, chronicling his transition from manual labour to political leadership.

Indeed, Ramsheth Thakur’s story is one of remarkable resilience. In an emotional address, Thakur reflected on his long odyssey, stating his commitment to serving the “sons of the soil” for years to come.

“In my 75-year journey, I have gone from carrying soil on a donkey to serving in the halls of power. This success belongs to the people,” Thakur said during his speech.

Expressing gratitude, Thakur said that he had “experienced many ups and downs” which he overcame only through “the tremendous support of political leaders and the great love of the people who give me energy for social work. ”

Referred to as Loknete by his followers, Thakur was elected to the Lok Sabha, from Kolaba, Maharashtra as a member of the Peasants and Workers Party of India. He later joined the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Also read: RSS opens branch at JU, vows to end Maoism on campus