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The news, that Pandurangshastri Athavale, alias Dadaji, has been
awarded the Templeton prize for 1997, has been greeted with joy by
his followers here.
" I am very happy to hear that Dadaji has been honoured. For us,
his teachings, which help us in our everyday life, are more
Important than some award. Yet, recognition of his work from abroad
is most welcome," said follower and city resident Shanti Patel.
Pandurang Vaijanath Athavale, who is currently touring the United
States of America, was named on Wednesday as winner of the 1997
Templeton prize for progress in religion. The prize is estimated
to be more than $ 1.2 million (approximately Rs 4.32 crore.). Mr
Athavale who is expected to return by mid-March, according to a
spokesperson at his office in Prarthana Samaj, is the third Indian
to win this award. Mother Teresa and Dr S. Radhakrishnan are the
two other Indian winners of this prestigious award.
The award was established in 1972 by the Tennessee-born investment
fund founder Sir John Templeton to honour those who advance the
world's understanding of religion and spirituality. This year's
award will be presented by Prince Philip at a ceremony in
Westminster Abbey on May 6, marking the 25th anniversary of the
award.
Dadaji, as Mr Athavale is fondly called, is the head of the
Swadhyaya Parivar, a movement propagating self-study. His
teachings are based on the Bhagvad Gita. As he himself once
explained, "The Gita encompasses within itself a philosophy which
is applicable to mankind as a whole."
Dadaji's teachings, though based on religious discourses, are not
aimed at promoting any one religion. "He has taken the best from
all religions. He mixes philosophy with facets of everyday life,"
explained a follower.
Winner of the 1996 Magsaysay award, Dadaji has a large following in
Maharashtra and Gujarat, especially among farmers and fishermen.
various activities and schemes for his followers include the
Yogeshwar Krishi, Matsyagandha, Vruksha Mandir, Amrutalayam,
Pathshala, Tatyadnyana Vidyapeeth and others.
Mr Athavale's birthday is celebrated as 'human dignity day' every
year by his followers. Last year, lakhs of them gathered at Girgaum
Chowpatty from various parts of India and also from abroad to
celebrate the day and to listen to him.
"Although I can hardly see him because of the huge crowds, what is
Important is that I can hear him. That is why I am here," a
disciple from a remote village in Gujarat had stated.
Dadaji's teachings have had a great impact on the lives of lakhs of
people, many of whom have been able to successfully battle
alcoholism. Among his schemes is a plan for water conservation in
the drylands of Kutch. Fishermen and farmers, along with his other
followers, which include people from all walks of life, set aside a
day's wage every month to be distributed among the needy. His
philosophy does not ask one to renounce the luxuries of life, -
instead it urges people to share the comforts with those who cannot
have them, a follower noted proudly.
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