Social Life

In appearance Chavan is rustic but impressive. Rather fat—a tendency of which more than him his wife Venutai is worried—he is of medium height, with dark busky eyebrows, thick features, round nose and penetrating eyes. In social life Chavan is cosmopolitan; has few inhibitions, still fewer prejudices and despite the fact that he has never been abroad is surprisingly broadminded. He enjoys good food—particularly rice despite his fattening tendency—and relishes the non-vegetarian variety. He is in the habit of sleeping late. A delightful conversationalist he is also a good listener, though like Nehru, his mind often wanders in the midst of a conversation. He may be ambitious but rarely gives the impression of being one. He meets people with an endearing glance, talks to them affectionately, occasionally putting on even a deliberate smile. He makes both friends and strangers at ease and has a knack of winning friends and influencing people. He likes to meet intellectuals and is fond of reading the latest books. He has a vast circle of friends but there are only a few with whom he really relaxes. Chavan may have a temper, but there are few occasions when he has lost it and there are still fewer men who have been victims of it. By and large, he is considerate to people with whom he deals and has an amazing capacity to tolerate all sorts of people. In the Legislature despite the worst provocation he never gives up his equilibrium; he remains calm and unperturbed. He meets bitter arguments by sweet arguments. He tries to win over opponents instead of putting them in their places. In this he makes no distinc­tion between one set of people and another. He is, for instance, as friendly with his old colleague in the freedom movement, Mr. S. M. Joshi, as he is with his new comrade in the Legislative field, Mr. Datta Deshmukh. The fact that the former is a Socialist and the latter is a Communist makes little difference to Chavan's attitude. They are a part of the political set-up and he treats them accordingly with that deep humanism with which he so richly endowed.

Attitude to Officials

Towards his officials his attitude is equally generous. He dislikes to give them the impression that he is their boss. He is happy if they look upon him as a friend. He interests himself in their personal problems by enquiring after their families and children. Likewise in tackling the grievances of the people Chavan has a sympathetic and humane approach. He listens to all kinds of talk and tries to oblige people as best as he can. However, where principles are concerned he would not give in. The manner in which he fought the Planning Commission on the question of exemption to the Sugar Factories in the Land Ceiling Bill is a classical example of his stead­fastness.