Aurangabad, April 14:
Raosaheb Ramrao Khedkar (age 80) president of the Aurangabad Zilla Chemist and Druggist Association died at midnight on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital. He was the president of the organization for the last 37 years. He was also the vice president of the Maharashtra State Chemists Association and an executive member of the All India Chemists Association.
Khedkar was the person who thought of building the Aushadhi Bhavan. It was through his initiative that the first Aushadhi Bhavan in India was inaugurated in 1991 in Aurangabad. Such Aushadhi Bhavans were then set up all over the country. He raised various issues of pharmacists and consistently pursued the government to get the demands accepted. He also supported the agitation called by the Zilah Vyapari Mahasangh against VAT and LBT. Khedkar had played an important role in setting up chemists and druggists association in every district of Marathwada. He had taken the initiative to provide free medicine for the annual free plastic surgery camps organized by the Lions Club, as well as by adopting some villages through the organization during the drought to supply water to those villages by tankers. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, daughter-in-law and son-in-law.
Shops remained closed till noon
News of Khedkar's death spread in the district on Wednesday. All the medicine stores were closed till noon to pay homage to him.
Lost strong leadership
Raosaheb Khedkar, president of Aurangabad District Chemist Druggist Association, was a calm and restrained person. He had led the District Chemist Druggist Association for the last 35 years. He was also the vice president of the Maharashtra Chemists Association and an executive member of the All India Chemists Association. He always had affection for the Lokmat family, said Rajendra Darda, Editor in Chief, Lokmat Group of newspapers.