First NU Pro-VC Yoganand Kale passes away at 85

Nagpur: Yoganand Kale, the first Pro-Vice Chancellor of Nagpur University and former principal of Dharampeth Arts and Commerce College, passed away on Saturday morning. He was 85. His funeral procession will depart from his residence at Nelco Society, opposite Viveka Hospital, Subhash Nagar, and the last rites will be performed at Sahakar Nagar Ghat on Sunday at 6pm. He is survived by a son, a daughter, and a large extended family.

Kale served as the first Pro-VC of NU from August 22, 1995, to April 24, 1997, and again from July 7, 1997, to July 19, 1999. He was also the principal of MP Deo Smriti Dharampeth College from 1990 to 1995. A renowned economist and scholar of Indian economics, he travelled globally to present his work. He was a thinker for the economic wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party and had expertise in the economic empowerment of Vidarbha region.

Born in 1940 in Sakarkheda, Buldhana district, Kale hailed from a family with six brothers, two sisters, and parents. His journey from primary education in a village to becoming the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University was marked by hard work and perseverance. He earned degrees such as MCom, MPhil, and DBM, and served as a professor for about 11 years, then as vice-principal for about 14 years, and finally as Principal at the same college.

In August 1995, he was appointed as the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University.

Kale was known as an influential speaker, dedicated educator, skilled administrator, and a professor loved by students. His research thesis on the ‘Economic Backlog of Vidarbha' gained significant recognition and is now considered a valuable reference. He wrote extensively on contemporary economic issues in local periodicals and authored textbooks for students. He also served as a recognised guide for PhD candidates in commerce and was a member of the executive board of the prestigious Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis condoled Kale's death in a post on ‘X'. "He had a long-term reflection on Indian culture and history through Swadeshi Jagran Manch. He himself wrote books on the subject of ‘Swadeshi' and donated the proceeds to the Swadeshi Jagran Manch movement. He also wrote extensively on the development of Vidarbha and the country's economic policies. He had devoted himself to national work since the Jana Sangh era. His death has caused a loss to the social and educational circle of Nagpur. I pay my heartfelt tribute to him. We share the grief of his family and relatives," his post read.