Education Pioneer, Padma Shri Dr D Y Patil passes away at 90
Mumbai: Renowned educationist, Padma Shri awardee and founder of the D Y Patil Group, Dr Dnyandeo Yashwantrao Patil, passed away in Kolhapur on Tuesday at the age of 90. A former Governor of Tripura and Bihar, he was widely recognised for building one of India's largest private education networks, including several medical colleges, hospitals and universities.
Dr Patil served as the Governor of Tripura from 2009 to 2013 and as the Governor of Bihar from 2013 to 2014. In 2014, he also briefly held additional charge as the Governor of West Bengal. Before assuming gubernatorial responsibilities, he served as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and remained actively involved in public life.
Born on October 22, 1935, in Kolhapur, Dr Patil began his political career as a municipal councillor before being elected as an MLA from the Panhala constituency. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1991 for his contributions to education and social welfare.
Through the D Y Patil Group, Dr Patil established a vast network that today runs more than 150 educational institutions, including deemed universities in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune and Kolhapur. The group also runs several medical colleges, teaching hospitals and healthcare institutions, making it one of the prominent names in medical and higher education.
Condolences poured in from political leaders and members of the academic community following Dr Patil's demise. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the news as "extremely heartbreaking" and said Dr Patil's contributions to education and public service would always be remembered. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha paid tribute, calling him a visionary institution builder whose work left a lasting impact on education, healthcare and public service.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over Dr D Y Patil's demise, describing him as a leader who dedicated his life to philanthropy and education. “Shri DY Patil Ji was at the forefront of serving society through philanthropy and education in particular. He always worked to improve the lives of others, especially the poor. Pained by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti,” PM Modi said in a post on 'X'.
Announcing his demise on social media, his son, Satej Patil, described him as a guiding force who dedicated his life to education, social service and uplifting society through learning. “The pillar of support is gone..!” his son Satej Patil wrote on X. “My father, Padma Shri Dr D Y Patil (Dada), passed away this morning at 11:08 AM on August 4 at the age of 91.”
