Ajit Diwadkar, a multi-faceted personality, known in food industry through Ajit Bakery; theatre personality and social worker, passed away on Tuesday. He was 80. He leaves behind wife Neelima, son Vikram, daughter Avanti, son-in-law Abhiram Deshmukh, daughter-in-law Meera and a host of relatives to mourn the loss. The funeral procession will begin from his residence 50, Navjeevan Colony, near Madhav Netralaya, Wardha Road at 9.30 am. Last rites will be performed at Ambazari ghat. Ajit Diwadkar steered Ajit Bakery established by his father Prabhakar Diwadkar in 1955, as a side business in a small tin-shed at Sitabuldi, to a respectable height. Due to strict quality control, policy to adjust recipes of products according to customers’ taste, it soon started getting overwhelming response. In the year 1990, State Government of Maharashtra adjudged the unit as District’s Best Unit and presented an award. Ajit Diwadkar was honoured by ‘Jagatik Marathi Chamber Of Commerce’, a world body of business tycoons for the contribution in industrial entrepreneurship.

 

A student of G S College, Nagpur Diwadkar represented his college in cricket in an inter-collegiate tournament. While pursuing graduation in Commerce from Dhanwate National College, Diwadkar kept participating in dramas too. He pursued his hobbies but not at the cost of education and domestic business. He kept raising his own performance and kept updating himself for the business. He did one-and-a-half year course in Bakery Technology at Food Crafts Institute, Polytechnic College, Nagpur. Since childhood, Ajit Diwadkar played roles in dramas under the direction of his father Prabhakar Diwadkar. Dhanwate Rang Mandir, then was the cultural glory of Nagpur where Diwadkars used to run the canteen. While handling the business, the theatre journey of Ajit Diwadkar continued to grow. His roles in ‘Meru Mandar Dhakute’, ‘Rudra Varsha’, ‘Vedanecha Ved Zala’, ‘Hoti Ek Sharada’, ‘Buddha Viram’, ‘Barrister’ were well appreciated by one and the all.

 

Ajit Diwadkar had participated in the theatre activity regularly, as well as on All India Radio. He was awarded ‘Best Acting Medals’ 4 times, while participating in Maharashtra State Drama Festivals. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in his condolence message, said, “Ajit Diwadkar had taken Ajit Bakery to a new height and created an identity of Nagpur. Ajit Bakery has become a place of attraction for the foodies. The credit should be given to the hard work of Ajit Diwadkar. He was an industrialist, theatre artist and a sportsman. His loss is irreparable.” Union Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed grief over the death of Ajit Diwadkar. In his tweet, Gadkari said, “The demise of Diwadkar has created a void that can’t be filled. His personality was versatile. He was not only an industrialist but was a fantastic artist, a player, and a very good human being. I pay my respects to him.”