An enterprising Sarpanch, he brought water, prosperity and respect to his village Hiware Bazar, in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. With the support of the village youth, Pawar transformed his village from a ‘punishment zone’ to the one that got Maharashtra its first National Productivity Award for the Best Watershed Work. He is an ardent follower of Anna Hazare and believes that the development process needs both the state and the society to work together. However, the society should always be on the driver’s seat and work responsibly.