He has never been heard to refer to people as Marathis, Gujaratis or Bengalis. To him they are people, and he accepts them as such without the regional trimmings. Nor has the word "minorities " weighed with him, as he believes it is a very inept term to describe citizens of Bombay. He has struck a balance between sentiment and pragmatism. While moving with the masses he has found no voice too small or insignificant to be brushed aside or ignored. There is room in his scheme of things for every man. None has been left out.
It is the feeling of " oneness " among the people of Bombay and the absence of artificial barriers which have obliterated all signs of bitterness. It is the sinking of all differences and the nurturing of a sense of brotherhood that have retained the distinctive character of Bombay. It is the engagement in a co-operative effort for progress and prosperity that has preserved the greatness of Bombay.
At the time of bifurcation of Bombay State there were many who said that noticeable changes would take place, particularly in Bombay city. Extremists even envisaged an exodus of non-Maharashtrians, chiefly Gujaratis, from the city and the State. Mr. Chavan had, however, all along argued against the possibility of such eventualities. That he was right is as much a credit to his astute judgement as to his Government's policy and sincerity. It is also a testament to Mr. Chavan's fair-mindedness, not only in implementing the guarantees he gave at that time, but to the spirit in which those guarantees have been implemented. It is not that Mr. Chavan is above making mistakes. He would be the first to disagree with such a view. But he has developed that invaluable spirit of accommodation, which is an inherent quality of a citizen of Bombay. It is just- this spirit which has helped Mr. Chavan to elevate himself to his present position, and enabled him to play an important role in the city and the State.
