Zeenews Bureau
Chandrapur (Maharashtra), Feb 09: Renowned social reformer Murlidhar Devidas Amte alias Baba Amte passed away at his 'Anandwan' ashram here on Saturday. He was 94. Despite being surrounded by wealth, he willingly sacrificed his life to the cause of the hapless lepers. He was a highly learned man who honoured his own education by practically matching its expectations.
He has left behind two sons.
Baba Amte was born in Hinganghat in Wardha District on December 26, 1914. He was from a wealthy family of jagirdars. Trained in law, Baba Amte started a lucrative practice at Warora but he was so shaken by the poverty he saw around him that he decided to dedicate himself to social justice despite certain hurdles.
His community development project at ‘Anandwan’ (Forest of Bliss) is recognised around the world and has done much to dispel prejudice against leprosy victims.
He also launched the ‘Bharat Jodo’ movements from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 1985 and Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh in 1988, with the mission of establishing peace and raising environmental consciousness. He was also a vocal advocate of the Narmada Bachao Andolan along with social activist Medha Patkar.
Baba was honoured by a string of awards during his lifetime including the famous Ramon Magsaysay Award and the Gandhi Peace Prize. Baba Amte had devoted his life to the care and rehabilitation of leprosy patients.
He had a habit of collecting quotations in his diary. One of them was, "When you give roses to others, the perfume is bound to linger on your hands!" His life proved to be that rose whose fragrance lingers on even after his death.
First Published: Saturday, February 09, 2008, 00:00