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Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards 2026: Maharashtra’s Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare, Prakash Abitkar, was honored in the Politics (Influential) category at the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards 2026 ceremony held at the Gateway of India in Mumbai on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Abitkar was recognized for his contributions to public service and his growing influence in Maharashtra’s political landscape, particularly through development initiatives in Kolhapur district.The prestigious Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards ceremony is regarded as one of Maharashtra’s most prominent public recognition events. The function was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and leading figures from entertainment and public life, including actors Aamir Khan and Vicky Kaushal. During the ceremony, Abitkar received the award from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for his impactful political leadership and public service.A prominent leader from Kolhapur district, Abitkar currently serves as the district’s guardian minister. His journey in public life began in Gargoti, where he organized youth groups and worked at the grassroots level to address local issues. During his early years, he also established social institutions such as milk cooperatives, credit societies and libraries, laying a strong foundation for community development.Abitkar formally entered electoral politics in 1991 when he contested the Panchayat Samiti elections as an independent candidate and was elected as a member. He later served as deputy chairman between 1991 and 1998, gaining administrative experience through work in local self-governance bodies. His political career progressed further when he entered the Zilla Parishad, where he served from 2002 to 2007 and later made a mark as chairman of the standing committee in 2008.A significant milestone in his political journey came in the Radhanagari Assembly constituency. Although he lost his first Assembly election in 2009, he returned stronger and won the seat in 2014 on a Shiv Sena ticket. Since then, he has secured three consecutive terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, leading several development initiatives between 2014 and 2024 that significantly transformed the constituency.Under his leadership, major improvements were made in sectors such as healthcare, tourism, transport and education in the region. These efforts helped reduce the long-standing perception of the constituency as a remote and underdeveloped area by improving infrastructure and connectivity.On Dec. 16, 2024, Abitkar was inducted into the Maharashtra cabinet as the Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare and was also entrusted with the responsibility of guardian minister of Kolhapur district. Representing a geographically large and remote constituency, he became the first leader to be elected three consecutive times from the region. He is also the first minister from this area since the formation of Maharashtra state.Abitkar is widely known as a “water-focused” legislator due to his efforts to build several small and medium irrigation projects in the Radhanagari region. These initiatives helped bring thousands of acres of dry farmland under irrigation. Along with water projects, he also worked to expand roads, electricity supply and healthcare services to remote villages, improving access to basic facilities for many residents for the first time since independence.The Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards, organized annually by the Lokmat Group, recognizes individuals from Maharashtra who have excelled in various fields including politics, sports, business, culture, education and public service.

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