'Serve society but don't expect fruits'

NAGPUR: Marotrao Gadkari, who dedicated his life to propagate the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave, was conferred 'Smruti Samaj Prabodhan' award by union transport minister Nitin Gadkari at a function held at Sai Sabhagruha on Sunday.
The award, instituted by Marwari Foundation, is given on the death anniversary of social reformer Prabodhankar Thackeray every year and carries a prize of Rs1 lakh, to a person for social service.Nitesh Bhangdia and Girish Gandhi of Marwari Foundation and senior journalist Madhukar Bhave were presen t.
Nitin Gadkari said, "People who work for the society hold a distinct place from politicians today. Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were social workers first and politicians later. Today, there is a need to promote the thoughts of great leaders in a form which the next generation can identify with."
Replying to the felicitation, Marotrao Gadkari, who started his speech with a bhajan 'Nitya ho aaradhana', said that "Since childhood, I was intrigued by the thoughts of great people like Nehru and Baba Amte. I have a strong feeling of patriotism but the sense of serving the society is above it. I feel that the most important thing to remember is that while giving, one should not expect anything in return. When one serves without expectations, it becomes invaluable. In fact, for giving something to society, one should readily labour and sacrifice the fruits of that labour," he said.