Social work & Cooperative moment

After Indian independence, Patil worked on solving agriculture problems in Western Maharashtra. He established a number of Co-operative societies in nearby palaces of Sangli. In 1951,he was first elected as a member of local council, followed by Mayor of Sangli city in 1954-55. As a mayor, he undertook many development initiatives for the city, including the installment of the Hirabagh water pipeline for the entire Sangli city. He was Secretary of District Planning Committee of newly formed Sangli District in 1960.

In the 1960s, Gulabrao got inspired by the work of Vaikunthbhai Mehta & Dhananjayrao Gadgil, both great leaders of Indian Cooperative movement. Patil believed that 'Sahakar' i.e. Cooperative Movement is main source of upliftment for the society & economic growth. Later he dedicated his entire life for strengthening Cooperative Movement in Post Independence era of India. He worked along with leaders such as Barrister G.D.Patil, Vasantdada Patil, Anandrao Chavan, Rajarambapu Patil, Aabasaheb Shinde-Maisalkar, Yashwantrao Mohite, Tataysaheb Kore, V. T. Patil and many more.

Cooperative banks and education

Patil was instrumental in establishing & developing Sangli District Central Cooperative Bank (SDCC) where he served as a Chairman & Director for over two decades. During his tenure he took many brave decisions for economical development of farmers. As the SDCC Chairman, he financially supported many Cooperative Sugar Factories in the region. He was first Chairman of SDCC Bank to promote and disburse agricultural loans to farmers for growing Sugarcane & Seedless Grapes in Sangli district. Today, Sangli District is one of the leading Sugarcane & Grapes Producing regions in India. In 1965, he started Sangli District Cooperative Board for basic education & training. Now named Gulabrao Patil Cooperative Training Center,it is located at Sahakar Bhavan, Market Yard, in Sangli city. He made valuable efforts to increase irrigation scheme for agriculture via Co-operative societies in Sangli district. In 1980, Patil was elected as Chairman of Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank, Mumbai-an apex organisation of Co-operative banks in Maharashtra. During his tenure as Chairmanship, MSC Bank was leading Cooperative Bank in the country. Patil also served as Chairman of Maharashtra State Cooperative Union in Pune. He was also General Secretary of National Cooperative Union of India- an apex body of Indian Cooperatives. Made valuable contribution in promoting and strengthening the Co-operative education and training in Maharashtra state.

Also, Patil had set up Cooperative Housing Societies in Pune and Sangli cities known as Gulabnagar Coop Housing Society, Dhanakawadi and Gulab Colony, Near Chandni Chowk Sangli respectively.

Legacy

In memory of Patil two social trusts are established in Sangli and Miraj cities. Gulabrao Patil Memorial Trust(GPMT),Sangli-Miraj was established in 1991 and Gulabrao Patil Lokseva Vishvastha Nidhi, Sangli was established in 1981. The main objective of setting up these trusts are to, perpetuate memory of Mr. Patil by acknowledging his rich, outstanding and valuable contribution in cooperative movement and social development of Maharashtra and to undertake social activities and education programmes particularly for the elevation of common man. On behalf of these charitable trusts number of social & cultural activities are undertaken in Sangli & Miraj regions. Also, every year on his birthday, the Gulabrao Patil Sahakar Gaurav Puraskar (Award) is given for outstanding work in Cooperative field. This award was 1st awarded to the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh in 2001.