Sunetra Ajit Pawar, also known as Vahini, is poised to take on a new role as the NCP legislature party leader and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, succeeding her late husband Ajit Pawar, who tragically passed away in a plane crash in Baramati. She will make history as the state’s first female deputy chief minister and is scheduled to be sworn in on Saturday evening.
Despite not currently holding a seat in the state assembly or council, Sunetra Pawar, who was elected unopposed as a Rajya Sabha member on June 18, 2024, is expected to contest and secure the Baramati assembly seat in an upcoming by-election necessitated by her husband’s untimely demise in November 2024.
Known for her work in sustainable development, environmental conservation, and rural empowerment, Sunetra Pawar has been a driving force behind various initiatives promoting inclusive and sustainable progress in India. She founded a non-governmental organization in 2010 dedicated to raising environmental awareness and fostering eco-conscious communities, pioneering the eco-village model in India to integrate ecological practices into rural development successfully.
Recognized for her environmental advocacy, Sunetra Pawar has spearheaded grassroots campaigns focusing on biodiversity conservation, protection of endangered species, water resource management, and drought mitigation. Her contributions were acknowledged with the prestigious “Green Warrior Award.” Additionally, she plays a significant role in education as a trustee of Vidya Pratishthan, an institution dedicated to quality learning and rural academic excellence.
Sunetra Pawar’s global involvement extends to her membership in the World Entrepreneurship Forum’s Think Tank since 2011, representing India in international dialogues on sustainability and social innovation. Hailing from an agriculturist family, she has established herself as a social and business entrepreneur, dedicated to community empowerment and sustainable living practices.
