Padmashree Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil

Padmashree Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil was one such visionary. Born in the drought prone district of Ahmednagar in Maharashtra (Western India) in an ordinary peasant family, he was deeply moved by the pathetic condition of the rural masses. But he was also aware of the immense storage of resources hidden within the humble rural people. which could be tapped to combat poverty, illiteracy, disease and inertia among the rural masses. He had made a decision. He had decided to take the lead.  His lack of formal education did not deter him from his chosen path. With his untiring efforts and the unfliching support from stalwarts like Shri. Vaikunthbhai Mehta as well as Shri.D.R.Gadgil, the first industrial co-operative venture in Asia - Pravara Sugar Factory (1949) was started.  What started as a small step, soon developed into an approach that has since been widely recognised as The Pravara Model of Integrated Rural Development.  The spectrum of this movement is being carried ahead on the strong shoulders of Padmashree's worthy son - Shri Eknathrao Vikhe Patil, fondly known as Balasaheb.