Shah felicitated the 76-year-old by presenting a shawl, a citation, memento and a cheque of Rs 25 lakh. The social worker, in turn, donated the cheque towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Addressing the gathering Shah said, “I have known families excelling in academics and business which is passed down from one generation to another. But here in front of us is a family, Dharmadhikaris, whose commitment to social service runs three generations from Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari to Appasaheb Dharmadhikari and his son Sachin Dharmadhikari.”

Appasaheb Dharmadhikari’s selfless service and commitment is reflected in the huge following he has and the change it has brought in society, he observed.

According to Shah, “Maharashtra has always seen three streams. The sacred land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has seen great warriors who have sacrificed their lives for the motherland. From Veer Shivaji to Veer Savarkar, the Chapekar brothers to Lokmanya Tilak, they played an important role in India’s freedom movement. They inculcated the spirit of nationalism and commitment to the motherland.”

Another stream was of great saints and spiritual giants, he emphasised. “The bhakti movement saw Saint Ramdas, Tukaram, Namdeo saw Maharashtra leading the country.” Whereas, the third stream was of social reformers “where the role of Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar ushered great social transformation giving individuals the right to dignity and equality.”

Speaking on the occasion, Dharmadhikari said, “I will continue my social work till my last breath… I had inherited it from my father Nanasaheb… and now my sons (Sachin, Umesh and Rahul) will carry it forward…” Exhorting people to strive towards self-reliance and selfless work, he added, “Mankind is in the only caste. Service to humanity the only purpose. Why should there be any conflict and differences when there is oneness?”

Describing himself as a follower of Dharmadhikari, CM Shinde said, “The life and works of Appasaheb Dharmadhikari has played an important role in shaping my personal life… Appasaheb has proved a solace and given a direction in life to those struck by tragedy. His social work is vast and beyond India.”

Deputy chief minister Fadnavis said Appasaheb has chosen the highest ideal to dedicate his own life for the upliftment of mankind through relentless work in diverse fields. “Whether it relates to tree plantation, blood donation, medical camps, road maintenance, desilting ponds, water conservation works…with help of more than 20 lakh followers…Their work is no longer restricted to Maharashtra or India. They have taken up social services in foreign countries too,” he said.

Cultural Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar too lauded his contributions. “It is a great honour to bestow the coveted award to Appasaheb Dharmadhikari who has devoted himself to the service of mankind.”