on december 10 , 2000, about one million people gathered on the banks of the Narmada, near Shukalteerath in Bharuch, Gujarat, to express gratitude towards the man who changed their lives, Pandurang Shastri Athavale, or Dada (elder brother), as he is fondly called, who turned 80.

Athavale founded the social movement called Swadhyay (which literally means self realisation) and was awarded the Magsaysay for this. He has been instrumental in introducing a realistic social change in India's rural communities and believes that selfless service, without expecting returns, is the mantra that can bring humanity together.

Preparations were in true Swadhyay style. No government help was taken