Autobiography of state’s first CM to be released in English

The English translation of ‘Krishnakath’ (Banks of River Krishna), the autobiography of Maharashtra’s first chief minister, Yashwantrao Chavan, will be released on Sunday at 5.30pm at Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan, Mumbai.

The English translation of ‘Krishnakath’ (Banks of River Krishna), the autobiography of Maharashtra’s first chief minister, Yashwantrao Chavan, will be released on Sunday at 5.30pm at Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan, Mumbai.

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Chavan’s sole written work, regarded as a classic in Marathi literature, depicts his childhood and early political life. The book, published by Pune-based Rohan Prakashan, is being released as part of celebrations of his birth centenary. “The English version of such a great book will have nationwide reach. Today’s youth, who are largely conversant with English will be able to read it,” said Pradeep Champanerkar, publisher.

The book was translated by Gayatri Pagdi, former journalist and writer. “It is the journey of a young mind with almost no family background that could directly influence his personality — academically, politically or from the point of view of cultural enrichment through good literature or music,” said Pagdi, who is the granddaughter of late Setu Madhavrao Pagdi, a culture expert, linguist and historian. She said it took her four months to complete the translation.