Pawar's first 'speech' was as a second standard student

NCP chief Sharad Pawar, among the most prolific public speakers in Maharashtra, first gave a public speech as a student in second standard.
At an event here, the former Union minister revealed how his public speaking career began. The event was held to commemorate his 50 year career in state legislature and Parliament.
Pawar narrated the incident, which happened while he was a primary school student at Katewadi.
"I was in second standard. There was an elocution competition and I participated in it. Our teachers said, there will be a time limit of six minutes (for each speaker)," Pawar said, at an essay competition at school and college levels, organised by 'Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan' to celebrate his 50 years in active politics.

"I started speaking. The bell rang twice or thrice. I did not understand why the bell was ringing. After 10 minutes, the 'guruji' (teacher) pulled my shirt. It was then I realised that I had to stop (end my speech)," the NCP chief said.
Pawar, who turned 76 on December 12, will complete 50 years of active politics on February 22, the day he was announced winner of Assembly elections in 1967.

NCP and the institutions managed by him are planning a grand show to commemorate his five-decade career as a politician.
Pawar was sworn in as an MLA in Maharashtra Assembly on March 13, 1967. At 38, he was the youngest chief minister of state and held the chair four times.

'Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan' has chalked out programmes which will go on for a few months.
The essay writing and elocution competition held across the state for school and college students culminated yesterday, where Pawar interacted with the finalists here.
Workshops and conferences are being organised to mark the milestone. Also on cards is a political conference in which parliamentarians, scholars and political analysts will speak.