MADHU PANDIT DASA

Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation 

Chairman, The India Heritage Foundation

Chairman, Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir

Chairman, Krishna Lila Park Foundation, Vrindavan, U.P

Chairman, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Lila Park Foundation, W.B 

President, ISKCON-Bangalore

A passionate student of science, Madhu Pandit Dasa was selected by the highly reputed National Talent Search program of the country during his pre-degree. He completed his B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT-Mumbai in the year 1981. Having found the path that answered his quest for the Absolute Truth, right after his days in IIT-Bombay, Madhu Pandit Dasa dedicated his life to serving the mission of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He has nearly three decades of self less work behind him.

“Madhu Pandit Dasa’s power to spread the message of spiritualism is very important. Particularly giving food through the Akshaya Patra program is really a very important mission and I greet Akshaya Patra for what they have done.”

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Former President of India, 2003

“The Akshaya Patra movement conceived by Sri. Madhu Pandit Dasa of ISKCON- Bangalore is the realization of a long cherished dream.”

Justice M N Venkatachaliah

Constitution Redraft Committee, Former Chief Justice of India, 2002

A VISIONARY ORGANIZATIONAL LEADER

Madhu Pandit Dasa has demonstrated ability in building organizations of excellence in the non-profit sector and is held in high esteem for his contribution to the society in humanitarian, cultural and spiritual spheres. He has been instrumental in conceiving and implementing many social initiatives that impact million of people in this country, giving them a better quality of life. Besides his achievements in the social sector, he has evolved innovative ideas in presenting the ancient cultural ethos of India in a modern scientific and technological context.

The first few years after leaving IIT was dedicated to the challenges of his internal spiritual self-development guided by the teachings of Bhagavad Gita As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.  In the year 1990 he took up the challenge of building one of today’s most popular cultural and spiritual centers, a landmark destination in Bangalore: The ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple.  Starting with practically nothing, from a fledging two room rented premises, he built and led a team of selfless volunteers in what can be considered as one of India’s largest fundraising efforts of those days, to set up this cultural monument at a cost of over Rs. 40 crores on a seven acres plot in the heart of Bangalore City. It was inaugurated in 1997 by the then President of India. The successful completion of this project was due his applying his training in IIT on a foundation of spiritual maturity for a selfless cause.  www.iskconbangalore.org

Time line

1956 - Birth in Nagercoil, Tamilnadu, India

1980 - He completed his B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT-Mumbai. He came across books of Srila Prabhupada and got inspired to practice Krishna Consciousness.

1981 - Studying his M.Tech course in IIT-Mumbai, he decided to dedicate himself to the service of Lord Krishna by becoming a full-time missionary member of ISKCON

1983 - He became involved in overseeing the activities of ISKCON, Bangalore along with his responsibilities as the president of Trivandrum temple

1988 - The Government of Karnataka allotted 6.5 acres of a rocky abandoned hillock in the city to set up a cultural complex

1988 - 1997 - The hillock, now called the Hare Krishna Hill saw a lot of developments: the design and construction of a colossal cultural complex, mobilization of support, and fund raising to a tune of Rs. 38 crores (Rs.380 million or $ 9.5 million) and recruiting and training nearly 100 full-time dedicated members of ISKCON.

1994 - He initiated an integrated social development project for the benefit of the rural people of Mysore and Mandya districts. A model, prototype organic farm based on natural and earth-friendly farming methods along with an internationally accredited farmer-training center has been setup in the 110-acre land on the banks of river Kaveri in Srirangapatam.

1997 - Inauguration of the monumental cultural complex by the then President of India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma

2000 - He initiated the Akshaya Patra program to provide mid-day meals to underprivileged children in the Government schools of Bangalore Rural District

Suryadatta Lifetime achievement award 2010 received by Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chairman of Akshaya Patra Foundation Bangalore.

Rotary Club of Bangalore central presents award to  Madhu Pandit Dasa 

Rotary International District 3190 – Excellence in Community Service Award Presented to Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa

Madhu Pandit Dasa, formerly named Madhusudan S, was born in 1956 in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India. A spiritual leader of the Hare Krishna Movement, he also initiated the Akshaya Patra Foundation, which is today the largest school meal program in the world. Awards received by Madhu Pandit Dasa.

• Rotary Bangalore City center RI Dist 3190: Man of the Year – 1997
• Rotary Bangalore Brigades: Plaque of Honor - 13/07/2001
• Governor’s Award 26/01/2002
• Rajyotsava Award, Govt. of Karnataka: Nov-03
• Kannada Koota, New York, Inc.: Humanitarian Award, 2003
• Karnataka Sahitya Parishat: Karnatakashree - 21/12/2003
• Rotary International Dist 3190: Excellence in Community
• Service Award – 2003-04 (Jan 2004)
• Independence Day Award, 2006 Govt. of Rajasthan
• Rotary Bangalore Orchards: Vocational Excellence Award - 2008
• CNBC India Business Leader Award 2008 under Social Enterprise category
• Distinguished Alumnus Award 2010, IIT Mumbai Sri. Madhu Pandit Dasa said, “I am very humbled and honored on being conferred the Distinguished Alumnus Award on the 51st Foundation Day of IIT Mumbai. This recognition is considered by me to be the blessings my Worship able Lord Sri Krishna and the blessings of the millions of children we feed in Akshaya Patra.” IIT Bombay celebrated its 51st Foundation Day with Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Director, Prof M Barma, as Chief Guest.