Dada Gadre, ?Swayamsevak? of a Prabhat Shakha of Kothrud in Pune, breathed his last on September 11, 2007. He was 87 years of age. In many ways he led a life of ?Agresar? (leader), role-model, ?Udyami? (entrepreneur) and visionary.
He did his masters degree in Physics from Fergusson College, Pune. After couple of years of service with Shri Athavale, the father of Indian instrumentation industry, he started his own venture, Adept Laboratories, in Pune. He supplied his products to research laboratories of state and central governments, universities and colleges. He manufactured seismometers, optical motors and standard batteries with microvolt accuracy. Adept Laboratories supplied instruments to ISRO'sThumba Unit and National Physical Laboratory of Ahmedabad. He did research for MIG aircraft instruments and established his mark on international field of instrumentation.
Dada was very soft-spoken, yet had very firm views, was focused and through relentless efforts and persistence, made Adept Laboratories a pilgrimage for innumerable science-loving entrepreneurs. He was a trend-setter in his chosen field. He retired at age sixty; he planned his retirement for eight years during which he molded his successors for a smooth changeover. He ensured that the business he founded would continue to grow even after his retirement.
After retirement he devoted his time for philosophy, socio-oriented research and educational field. He held Shri Guruji, the then RSS leader, in highest regard. After Guruji passed away, Dada expressed his desire to award outstanding individuals and institutions every year in Guruji'smemory. Towards this, he pledged a large amount out of his personal savings single-handedly. He was felicitated by Prof Rajendra Sinhji (Rajju Bhaiya), then RSS chief, in a grand function.
Dada was always a man of action. His donations to individuals and institutes were many the extent of which may perhaps never be fully known. He devoted many years of his life away from Pune, in the small town of Miraj, only to serve his ailing and aged father till his last breath. He attended social and family functions, mixing freely with younger generations. When he sensed his failing health, he requested his near and dear ones not to perform any religious rituals after his expiry. Truly, Dada Gadre was not just a master in his chosen professional field but also a true disciple of Indian cultural values.
