Two eminent personalities of Vidarbha region, one the city based industrialist Satyanarayan Nuwal, and the other, General Secretary, Akhil Bharatiya Gurudev Sewa Mandal, Gurukunj, Mozari, in Amravati District, Janardan Bothe, were awarded Padma Shri. Ministry of Home Affairs announced the names of personalities shortlisted for civilian awards on the eve of Republic Day. Satyanarayan Nuwal championing Satyanarayan Nuwal has carved out a name for himself by anchoring the Solar Group, one of the top manufacturers of advanced weaponry for the Indian Armed forces. Also well-known for philanthropic activities, Nuwal carved out a niche for the region through pioneering efforts that put forth Solar Explosive Limited and its subsidiaries at the forefront of Atmanirbhar Bharat push in weapons manufacturing in the country in Trade and Industry category. Headquartered in city, Solar Group today represents the true spirit of innovation and advancement into highly sophisticated weapon system, shaping country’s role in the precise harnessing of technology. And the award is recognition of Nuwal’s endeavour to cut down reliance on imports of weapons and also put India as one of the leading exporters in the field. His is the rags to riches story, but also that of grit and hard work, saw Nuwal overcome the early challenges to establish Solar Group as an anchor in advanced weapons programme.

 

Recently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Solar’s facility in Bazargaon and was visibly impressed by the standards of manufacturing. Nuwal’s foray in industry sector began with setting up of an ink manufacturing unit when he was just 18 years old in 1970. From that time onwards, there was no looking back, as the industrialist in making set his sight on the highly sophisticated weapon system, but before that carved out a niche in explosive sector. He diversification into manufacturing industrial explosives, and today the Solar Group accounts for lion’s share in the market. The Group now specialises in manufacture of ammunition, rockets, loitering munitions, anti-drone systems, UAVs and also the Nagastra drone. These weapons system came to aid of armed forces in the Operation Sindoor and demonstrated its effectiveness by destroying Pakistan’s positions. The company is now focussed on Bhargavastra, a hard-kill system using micro-missiles. Also, Solar Group is concentrating on manufacturing landmines, universal air-bombs, weaponised drones as force multipliers, warheads and also missiles. The Group is now foraying into aerospace, a highly advanced system, and for the same it has purchased 223 acres in MIHAN where it plans an investment of Rs 12,780 crore.

 

 

The journey of Janardan Bothe showcases the deep influence of Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj on his entire life and work. Now spearheading the affairs of Akhil Bharatiya Gurudev Sewa Mandal, Bothe started his association with Tukdoji Maharaj from childhood and later became the photographer. The award to Bothe is in recognition of Mandal’s work in respect of upliftment of lives of people in rural parts of the country, by preaching the teachings of Tukdoji Maharaj. As a close aide of Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj, Bothe played a crucial role in spreading the message of Gramoddhar through de-addiction campaigns, village cleanliness drives, and mass prayers. Having dedicated nearly eight decades to this sacred mission, Bothe is known as Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj’s trusted aide, official photographer and a pillar of strength of the Gurukunj Mozari Ashram. At a time when technology was still in its infancy, Maharaj himself entrusted Bothe with the responsibility of documenting his national and international activities. The photographs captured under Maharaj’s guidance have today become priceless historical assets preserved at Gurukunj Mozari. Bothe Guruji exemplified the true spirit of selfless service by remaining constantly by Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj’s side like a shadow, setting a living example of sevadharma.

 

His contribution to transforming Gurukunj Mozari, Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj’s Karmabhoomi into a socially engaged and vibrant centre is widely acknowledged. Bothe Guruji is a social reformer who has dedicated more than five decades of his life to translating the ideals of Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj into meaningful action. Through education, rural development, de-addiction initiatives, and health care services, his work has left a lasting impact from the remote tribal regions of Melghat to major urban centres. Bothe Guruji came into close association with Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj in 1954 under the ‘Earn and Learn’ scheme. Between 1960 and 1964, he served as Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj’s Personal Secretary, shouldering key responsibilities during a crucial period. Whether it was the historic Kisan Rail Yatra or the devotional teams sent to the NEFA border during the 1962 war to boost the morale of Indian soldiers, Bothe Guruji remained by Maharaj’s side like a shadow. Even after Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj’s nirvan, Bothe Guruji played a vital role in modernising the Gurukunj Ashram while carefully preserving its spiritual essence, ensuring continuity of Maharaj’s values in a changing world. In 1972, he founded the Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Education Society, under which 11 residential schools and hostels were established in tribal and remote areas.

 

Through these institutions, thousands of underprivileged students were brought into the mainstream of education. His contribution extends well beyond education. He played a significant role in transforming 65 villages into ‘Model Villages’. More than 850 women’s groups have been formed to promote self-reliance and social participation among women. Echoing his Guru’s vision, Janardan Bothe firmly believes that Gram Geeta remains the most effective path toward India’s bright and sustainable future. He authored Gram Geeta as a blueprint for social transformation, emphasising that true national progress begins in villages through awareness and cleanliness.