growth for farmers in the region. Desai worked closely with leading cooperative leaders in Maharashtra such as: Yashwantrao Chavan, Vasantdada Patil, Gulabrao Patil among others. Shivaji University, Kolhapur Desai was an educational minister in the first cabinet of Maharashtra government in 1960. He was instrumental in establishing Shivaji University in Kolhapur in 1962. He also established Balasaheb Desai College of Arts and Science in 1969 at Patan. References External links स्व.लोकनेते बाळासाहेब देसाई. (in Marathi) Balasaheb Desai College The Samyukta Maharashtra Movemnet (1946-1960) India Who's Who 1969 1910 births 1983 deaths Bombay State politicians Maharashtra MLAs 1960–1962 Maharashtra MLAs 1972–1978 Marathi politicians People from Kolhapur People from Maharashtra Shivaji University Speakers of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Bombay State MLAs 1957–1960 Bombay State MLAs 1952–1957