Sharad Pawar (born 1940)

 Sharad Pawar is an Indian politician who 

has been a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics for several decades. He was born on December 12, 1940, in Baramati, a small town in the Pune district of Maharashtra. Pawar's father, Govindrao Pawar, was a farmer, and his mother, Shardabai Pawar, was a homemaker.

Pawar received his education from Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce in Pune. After completing his education, he entered politics and joined the Indian National Congress. In 1967, he was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Baramati. He was just 27 years old at the time and was the youngest member of the assembly.

In 1978, Pawar became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the first time. He held the position for two years before being ousted by his own party. In 1985, he again became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and held the position until 1991. During his tenure as Chief Minister, Pawar initiated several development projects in the state, including the construction of roads, bridges, and dams.

In 1991, Pawar left the Indian National Congress and formed his own party, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The formation of the NCP was a significant development in Maharashtra politics, as it challenged the dominance of the Congress in the state.

In 1999, Pawar became the Defence Minister of India under the government of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He held the position until 2004 when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power.

In 2004, Pawar was instrumental in bringing together the Congress and the NCP to form the UPA government. The UPA government was in power from 2004 to 2014, with Pawar playing a key role in its functioning.

Pawar has held several important positions in Indian politics over the years. He has been a member of the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) and the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament). He has also been a member of several important parliamentary committees, including the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Agriculture, and the Committee on Public Accounts.

In addition to his political career, Pawar has also been involved in several social and cultural organizations. He has been the President of the Maharashtra Cricket Association and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He has also been associated with several educational institutions, including the Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce and the National Defence Academy.

Pawar has been the recipient of several awards and honors for his contributions to Indian politics and society. He has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India. He has also been honored with the Maharashtra Bhushan Award, the highest civilian award in the state of Maharashtra.

Despite his achievements, Pawar has been a controversial figure in Indian politics. He has been accused of corruption and has faced several investigations over the years. However, he has always maintained his innocence and has never been convicted of any wrongdoing.

In conclusion, 

Sharad Pawar is a prominent politician who has played a significant role in Maharashtra politics for several decades. He has held several important positions in Indian politics and has been associated with several social and cultural organizations. Despite his controversies, he remains a respected figure in Indian politics and society.