President Pratibha Patil released Commemorative Postage Stamp on Vitthal Sakharam

The President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil on 21 July 2011 released a commemorative postage stamp on Vitthal Sakharam Page. The postage stamp was released in recognition of Page’s illustrious contribution in the field of social service, culture, education & literature, economics, philosophy etc.

Vitthal Sakharam Page was born on 21 July 1910 at Bagani in Satara District of Maharashtra. Page completed his LL.B degree from Mumbai University.

His integrated Area Development Scheme, popularly known as Page Scheme for the integrated development of village areas and the amelioration of small land holders, traditional artisans and agricultural labourers was widely recognized in the field of social service.

He campaigned for employment guarantee as a fundamental right beginning with an article Rojgaracha Hakk (Right to Employment) in 1949. His persuasion to the Maharashtra Government to implement Employment Guarantee Scheme on a pilot basis in 1969 finally led to enactment of Employment Guarantee Act in the Maharashtra in 1977. His mission in life was to see that this scheme is implemented in the entire nation.

As Chairman of the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board, he implemented the Employment Guarantee Scheme for rejuvenating the age-old traditional village industries and to provide employment to the unemployed village artisans.

He was elected to the Bombay Legislative Council successively in 1952 and 1954 and to the Maharashtra Legislative Council in 1960, 1966 and 1972 and was its chairman from 1960 to 1978. He had also served as the Joint President of the Maharashtra Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. He had visited U.K., USA, Canada, Japan, USSR representing the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Maharashtra Branch.

He was honoured with Dalit Mitra and Nyayaratha Ramshastri Prabhune Puraskark and regarded as Father of Emoployment Guarantee Scheme. Page was a deeply religious and spiritual person. He authored books in Marathi and English mainly on philosophical and religious subjects.