Mumbai: Ranjitsinh Disale, the school teacher from Maharashtra who won a global award worth $1 million in prize money, tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, a family member said.
After winning the coveted Global Teacher Award last week, Disale, a resident of Solapur district, had met several prominent personalities, including Maharashtra’s chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
He started feeling unwell a few days ago and visited Barshi rural hospital in Solapur district, where he and his wife tested positive.
“None of his other family members have tested positive for the coronavirus infection”, said the family member.
“Both Disale and his wife have mild symptoms and they have isolated themselves at (sic) their home,” he shared.
Disale, who teaches at a state government school in rural Solapur, had made headlines when he won the $1 million international award (around Rs 7 crore).
Also read: Maharashtra Teacher Wins ‘Global Teacher Prize’ for Educating Girls From Tribal Communities
He had met the governor of Maharashtra on Tuesday and the Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray along with MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Monday, in Mumbai.
Last week, BJP leader Pravin Darekar had visited Disale’s home to felicitate him for his achievement.
This Zilla Parishad primary school teacher from Paritewadi, a village with less than 2,000 people, was recognised for his efforts to promote girls’ education.
Disale has said that he will share 50% of the prize money with his fellow finalists.