DR. MANIBHAI DESAI
Dr. Manibhai Desai, an associate of Mahatma Gandhi, participated in the national movement, courted jail and subsequently, he was motivated by the mission of Mahatma Gandhi to transform the lives of thousands of families living below the poverty line, ensuring food security and sustainable livelihood, taking cue from their traditional wisdom and affinity to nature.
Today, it is because of the vision of Manibhaiji that 4 million families spread over 1 lakh villages in 15 states are enjoying better quality of life and have come out of poverty through dairy husbandry, water resources development, agri-horti-forestry on degraded lands, women empowerment and community health.
- Padmashree for rural upliftment and community development (1968)
- D.Sc. (Honoris Causa) by the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra (1977)
- Ramon Magsaysay Award for public service (1982)
- Jamnalal Bajaj Award for application of science and technology (1983)
- Vishwa Gurjari National Award for rural upliftment (1989)
Our founder
DR. MANIBHAI DESAI (1920-1993)