While taking oath on Friday, first-time minister Vinod Tawde introduced himself as Vinod Shreedhar Vijaya Tawde.
For his 75-year-old mother Vijaya, who was present at the ceremony, there could have been no greater tribute.
She says Vinod’s dedication is responsible for his success. “We had no one in our family involved in politics. His father initially was an RSS member but had no inclination towards mainstream politics. It was his college days with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) that got him interested in politics and with his dedication he has achieved so much,” Vijaya says.
Vinod’s wife Varsha, an active social worker, was also an ABVP member. She fondly recalls his ABVP days. “He was considered a role model and visionary by fellow students,” she says.
Their 14-year-old daughter Anvee says that while she avoided using the ‘lal batti’ car Vinod was entitled to as leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, she is very proud of her father’s achievements.
“After the month-long election campaign, I have started taking a slight interest in politics. He really worked hard and deserves his success,”
says Anvee.
“After the month-long election campaign, I have started taking a slight interest in politics. He really worked hard and deserves his success,”
says Anvee.
Vinod’s new job profile comes with an even busier work schedule. But his wife and daughter joke that by nature, he is incapable of sitting idle and always finds party work to do. Even on holidays, he meets party workers,
they say.