Thane - The Swadhyay Parivar which has been engaged in social reformation for several decades, lost Nirmalatai Athavale (90), wife of late Pandurang Shastri Athavale on 30 January 2017 around 5 pm at her residence.
Her body will be cremated and final rites will be done around 5 pm on Wednesday.
Nirmala Tai was born on 3 August 1926 at Rajapur district. After marrying Pandurang Shastri Athavale she helped and supported Swadhyay Parivar. After Athavale (dada) passed away, she started residing at Tatvagyan Vidyapeeth residence and started preaching women followers.
Swadhyay Parivar was founded by Pandurang Shastri Athavale (1920-2003) and catered to an estimated 6,000,000 followers and has 50,000 kendra locations.
The Parivar promotes a particular interpretation and reading of the Vedic scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, Vedas and the Upanishads. His followers are still active with the work of the organisation. For his efforts, Athavale was awarded the Templeton Prize in 1997, the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership and India's second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.