Who was the first person from Maharashtra to receive Bharat Ratna Award?

Dhondo Keshav Karve was the first person from Maharashtra to receive Bharat Ratna Award. Karve was a pioneer in promoting widow's education. He founded the first women's university in India - SNDT Women's University. The Government of India awarded him with the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1958, the year of his 100^th birthday.