Manibhai Bhimbhai Desai was an Indian social activist, associate of Mahatma Gandhi, and a pioneer of rural development.
12 Facts About Manibhai Desai
2.
Manibhai Desai was born to Ramiben and Bhimbhai Desai, on April 27,1920, in the village of Kosmada, Surat District, Bombay presidency, British India.
3.
Manibhai Desai's father, Bhimbhai, was a well-to-do farmer and respected leader among the farmers of the 10 or 15 villages in the area.
4.
At the time of his father's death Manibhai was in first grade at the elementary school in his native village.
5.
Manibhai Desai credited an incident that happened when he was ten that influenced his future life.
6.
Manibhai Desai chose young Manibhai to carry out the task.
7.
Deeply moved by the sight of villagers bowing down as they ate the salt, Manibhai Desai felt at age 10 the call of Mahatma Gandhi.
8.
The young Manibhai Desai gave a pledge to Mahatma Gandhi to devote his life to uplifting of Uruli.
9.
Manibhai Desai followed this by opening a high school in Uruli.
10.
Later Manibhai Desai expanded the scope of activities for BAIF to include animal health, nutrition, afforestation wasteland development, and tribal development.
11.
Manibhai Desai served on the board of Yeshwant sahakari sakhar karkhana at nearby village of Theur for many years.
12.
In 1982, Manibhai Desai accepted the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service.