Athalye Guruji from Pune passes away

The death of Shashishekhar Kashinath Athalye aka Athalye Guruji (99) in Pune on November 29, marked the end of an era in Indian politics.

A freedom fighter, Athalye, was known for honesty and integrity. In fact, he did not own a piece of land in his name at the time of his death, and his relatives had to scramble for money to pay the hospital bills. He was discharged a week before his demise.

Athalye had won legislative assembly elections from Lanjha taluka near Ratnagiri district in 1957, 1962 and 1967. He is survived by wife Vandana, son Avinash, who works as a mechanic with the state transport utility, and three daughters Smita, Charuta and Sangata. He is the only MLA to have lived up to the age of 99 years.

Charuta told DNA that Athalye was being treated for chronic cough at Bharati Vidyapeeth Hospital. “He was treated for a week and the bill amounted to Rs40,000. There was a little improvement and we decided to bring him home. He passed away at home,” she said.