Amit Shah confers Maharashtra Bhushan award to social activist Appasaheb Dharmadhikari

Описание: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday conferred the Maharashtra Bhushan Award on spiritual leader and social activist Dattatreya Narayan alias Appasaheb Dharmadhikari and said it was very rare to see the tradition of social service being passed from one generation to another. Lakhs of followers of Dharmadhikari attended the grand function held on a sprawling 306-acre ground in Kharghar area of Raigad district. Flower petals were showered from a helicopter on the activist, dignitaries present on the dais and others who were part of the gathering. Dharmadhikari has a massive following in the state due to his tree plantation drives, blood donation and medical camps as well as de-addiction work in tribal areas. The Maharashtra Bhushan award was instituted when the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance came to power in 1995. It was initially given to personalities in the fields of literature, sports and science, before being expanded to include those from social work, journalism, public administration and health services. Shah conferred the award to Dharmadhikari and presented him a shawl, a citation and memento and a cheque of Rs 25 lakh, besides a 10-feet garland of roses. Dharmadhikari said the Rs 25 lakh given to him will be donated to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Kapil Patil were present on the occasion. Amit Shah was welcomed by CM Shinde and his deputy Fadnavis and presented a garland, a shawl and an idol of Lord Ram. The work of Dharmadhikari's organisation has found a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records, Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis noted.

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