Manibhai Desai

Manibhai Desai

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Category: Social Work

Manibhai Desai Profile

  • Name:
  • Manibhai Desai
  • Born:
  • April 27, 1920
  • Born / Home Town:
  • Surat

Manibhai Desai Biography

Dr. Manibhai Bhimbhai Desai, shortly called Manibhai Desai was a social activist and associate of Mahatma Gandhi, best known for his efforts towards rural development. He played a magnificent role in improving Milk production in India, and is fondly called "the father of white revolution." Manibhai was presented with the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1982. Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri in 1968. He was also a recipient of Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Gandhian values and principles in the year 1983. He passed away in 1993. He has also set up numerous institutes during his life time.

 

Manibhai Bhimbhai Desai was born on April 27, 1920 in the village of Kosmada, Surat District, present-day Gujarat state. Ramiben and Bhimbhai Desai were his parents, and had 4 siblings including one sister. He belonged to a farmer’s family and his father was a reputed leader among farmers. Manibhai was very young when his father passed away, and his eldest brother took charge of the ancestral farm while the next two brothers joined textile and gold medal spinning industries respectively. Manibhai was a brilliant student in academics, and was also good in sports and a leader in the Boy Scouts.

 

During his younger days, he got influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s freedom struggle movement and joined civil disobedience against British rule. He also participated in Salt Satyagraha, organized at his native village, and during graduation years, participated in Quit India Movement too. He completed schooling from Surat and later studied Physics and Mathematics. Gandhi nominated Manibhai as the manager of the newly established Nature therapy Ashram at Urali. Later Manibhai opened a school at the same village.

 

Though he worked for Gandhian principles, he believed that the rural people can benefit from scientific advances, and started the NGO, Bharatiya Agro-Industries Foundation in 1967. He travelled extensively across the world to study about cattle breeding, and through his NGO, played a great role in improving milk production in India.

 

Published: October 30, 2018

Updated: October 30, 2018

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