Padmashree Dr Manibhai Desai, Founder of Mahatma Gandhi Sarvodaya Sangh. Pioneer of ‘White Revolution’ in India. He founded this organization in 1950.
Padmashree Dr Manibhai Desai
27th April 1920 – 14th November 1993
Uruli Kanchan is renowned for its pioneering achievements in the ‘White Revolution’ that has transformed India’s Agricultural Sector. It is the ‘Karma bhoomi’ of Dr. Manibhai Desai, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhiji. Uruli Kanchan is blessed by midas touch of Gandhiji, Manibhaiji and Sharad Pawar saheb.
Manibhaiji established ‘Mahatma Gandhi Sarvodaya Sangh’ to serve in the field of education in 1950. Now this educational hub has grown into a Banyan Tree of education.
Manibhaiji received many awards, some of them are –
- Padmashree for rural upliftment and community development (1968);
- Ramon Magsaysay Award for public service (1982);
- G.J. Watumull Memorial Award for dedicated devotion to Gandhian principles in rural development (1982);
- Jamnalal Bajaj Award for application of science and technology (1983);
- Vasantrao Naik Award for Rural Development (1988); *
- Vishwa Gurjari National Award for rural upliftment (1989);
- National Citizen Award for rural development (1991),
- Pune’s Pride – Life Time Achievement (posthumously) by Residency Club, Pune (1995).