Pratapsingh Rane is the first Chief Minister of the state of Goa and its longest-serving CM. As a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), he holds a formidable record of winning 11 consecutive elections and never losing a single election in 50 years as a legislator, a record matched only by very few in post-Independence India.
Maker of Modern Goa: The Untold Story of Pratapsingh Rane is a dynamic and engaging biography that reveals how he brought in stability and sane, reasoned governance to Goa’s volatile and unstable politics every time he became CM. In this lucid analysis of Rane’s life, Vijayadevi Rane draws a new portrait of Goa’s most successful CM. She highlights his contributions during his decade in power from 1980 to 1990 – often called Goa’s Golden Age.
The book shares anecdotes of the changing political landscape of the state and provides glimpses into Rane’s style of governance.
He built all-weather roads, dams, bridges, schools, colleges and hospitals on a war footing. He established the Goa University, started Goa’s first public bus transport service, built the iconic Kala Academy and began the process of planned development in the state. Today’s Goa owes an enormous debt to Rane’s tireless efforts. Returning as the CM in the 1990s and early 2000s, he kept up with his development drive.
The 236-page book was released at Rane’s 85th birthday celebration in the presence of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Suresh Prabhu, former Union Minister. The Rane family comprising of Pratapsingh Rane, his minister son Vishwajit and his MLA daughter-in-law Deviya along with the author, Vijayadevi, were present for the event which was attended by over 30,000 people at Bhumika Ground, Keri, Sattari.
Dr Sawant highlighted various roles played by Rane during his stint as Chief Minister. He said that Rane played a pivotal role in passing the Official Language Act while Goa also attained Statehood during his tenure.
Dr Sawant said that Rane is the only person in the State to complete 50 years as a legislator by winning Assembly elections 11 times and besides serving as the Chief Minister, he also acted as Leader of the Opposition and Assembly Speaker and did justice to his positions. He said that rulings given by Rane during his stint as Speaker are still either used or referred to by Speakers of various Legislative Assemblies.
Dr Sawant said that Rane was instrumental in starting the State-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTCL) and laid the foundation stone for various projects. “We have a lot to learn from him,” Sawant said.
Vijayadevi recalls how after weighing the option of retiring from the politics, Rane finally, in the year 2022, decided not to contest the Assembly elections, choosing to retire from public life. “There comes a time when we must step back and let other younger people take over. There comes a time when a man requires rest and time to look after himself…,” the book has quoted Rane.
About the Author
Vijayadevi Rane née Ghorpade was born on 5 February 1947 into the Sandur royal family to Raja Yeshwantrao and Rani Sushiladevi Ghorpade. She married Pratapsingh Rane in 1969. She took the opportunity to work with her husband for the betterment of the downtrodden, women and children with disabilities, as well as for the all-round development of children. At the behest of her husband, she founded the Sanjay School for Special Education and also launched the Bal Bhavan movement in Goa, which helped scores of children discover their talents
