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India is home to some of the greatest minds that have ever lived. Baba Amte was one such figure whose contributions reformed society and instilled a sense of community within it. Propagating the teachings of resilience, compassion and self-reliance, Baba Amte built a community that strived to help the less fortunate and educate the people on the importance of sharing and sustainable development.
Who was Baba Amte?
Murilidhar Devidas Amte was one of India’s greatest social reformers who dedicated his entire life to taking care of leprosy patients. Fondly known as Baba Amte (As his parents used to call him), he was one of the pre-independence Brahmins who empathized with the plight of the underprivileged and worked towards empowering and rehabilitating them. He was also a well-known environmental activist who sought to protect the environment and spread knowledge on sustainable development.
Early Life of Baba Amte
Born on 26th December 1914, to a Deshastha Brahmin family, Baba Amte was the eldest of 8 children in his family. Born in the city of Hinganghat in Maharashtra, Baba Amte belonged to an extremely wealthy family of landowners. His father worked for the district administration and revenue collection departments.
Education and Early Career
While growing up Baba Amte has all the comforts of life. He used to hunt and drive motor vehicles. Some would call it a dream life, especially pre-independence. But this did not blind him from the harsh realities of life. Baba Amte was a very well-educated lawyer who understood the problems within Indian society, may it be in terms of illiteracy, corruption within the caste system, poverty or the unavailable infrastructure to empower and rehabilitate the less fortunate.
Influences that Shaped His Ideology
Even though Baba Amte always wanted to become a doctor, his father forced him to pursue law as it would help him manage the family estate. Baba Amte was heavily influenced by the works and activities of Mahatma Gandhi and soon became one of his greatest disciples. His induction into the Indian Independence Movement made him the official lawyer for many high profile freedom fighters thus protecting and fighting for many incarcerated leaders of that time.
His life of social activism began when he met Tulshiram, a man suffering from leprosy. His experience of caring for this individual left him in shambles after which he dove into the journey of rehabilitation and empowerment.
Baba Amte’s Ideology
Baba Amte was heavily influenced by people like Rabindranath Tagore, Gandhi and Sane Guruji. His ideology that “Where there is fear, there is no love, and where there is no love, there is no God”, is completely aligned with his actions. His undying, undiminished love for his people and his country is a testament to his greatness.
Baba Amte’s Contribution to the Society
Baba Amte spent his entire life serving the country and its people by setting up establishments that would rehabilitate and empower the underprivileged and protect the people suffering from leprosy.
Founding Anandwan
In the year 1949, Baba Amte established the Anandwan ashram, a place which solely focused on the betterment of leprosy patients. Even though it was initially started as a space for the rehabilitation of leprosy patients, it soon introduced programs to serve disabled individuals.
Rehabilitation programs also included subjects like agriculture, small-scale industry, healthcare and environmental conservation. The Anandwan Ashram is currently a 250-acre property that has 2 hospitals, an orphanage, a university and schools for blind people and individuals with other disabilities.
Work with Leprosy Patients
Baba Amte’s journey into rehabilitation of leprosy patients began with his encounter with Tulshiram. After this, he dedicated his life and resources to helping leprosy patients from across the country and reintroducing them into society as competent individuals.
Baba Amte completed his course on Leprosy from the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine and set up multiple clinics and ashrams with the help of his wife and children to take care of the people suffering from this disease. He spent his days attending to patients personally trying to alleviate their pain.
Environmental and Social Activism
Baba Amte was also known for his fight against environmental degradation and for protecting the interests of local tribes and groups who would suffer the aftermath of displacement through development initiatives taken by the government. Baba Amte was a propagator of religious tolerance and also fought for the empowerment and equality of women in Indian society.
Narmada Bachao Andolan with Medha Patkar
The Narmada Bachao Andolan was founded by Medha Patkar in 1985, to protect the environment and stop the displacement of locals which would result from the construction of a dam on the river Narmada. Baba Amte joined the Andolan in the year 1990 which fought against the hydroelectric project and suggested a more sustainable approach through which better irrigation systems could be implemented. This included improving technologies in the field of dry farming, development of smaller dams and watersheds, etc.
Other Contributions
Baba Amte was a great lawyer whose contributions to the Indian Independence Movement were immeasurable as he represented many incarcerated leaders and protected their interests even when they were in prison. Other contributions have been briefly mentioned below:
- Maharogi Seva Samiti was an NGO set up to help and rehabilitate disadvantaged groups of people.
- Lok Biradri Prakalp was a project that set up hospitals for indigenous tribes in India.
- Bharat Jodo March was an endeavour that looked to preach religious tolerance, peace and unity within the country.
Death Of Baba Amte
Baba Amte died on February 9, 2008, from Leukemia. He passed away at the Anandwan Ashram and was at the Anandwan burial ground.
Awards and Recognitions
The great Baba Amte was acknowledged with a myriad of awards throughout his lifetime. His contributions to India are extremely significant and inspire people till date. Some of his recognitions have been mentioned below:
- Ambedkar International Award in 1999.
- Padmashri in 1971.
- Padma Vibhushan in 1986.
- United Nations Human Rights Award, AD 1998.
- United Nations Roll of Honour For Environment Work, c.1991.
- Damien Dutton Award, AD 1983. This is the highest award achievable for leprosy relief.
- Raja Ram Mohan Rai Award 1987.
- Adivasi Sevak Award of Maharashtra, E.S. 1991
- Right to Livelihood Award, Sweden, E.S. 1991
- Ramon Magsaysay Award
- Disability Welfare Award, E.S. 1986
- Gandhi Peace Award 1999
- Savitribai Phule Award 1998
These are just some of the many major awards and recognitions received by Baba Amte.
Baba Amte’s Legacy
Baba Amte’s immeasurable contribution to Indian society continues as his legacy is being taken forward by his sons. Prakash and Vikas Amte are both doctors and they continue to provide healthcare and assistance to the underprivileged in the Anandwan Ashram. The ashram also participates in many charitable and philanthropic activities looking to better the condition and rehabilitate the less fortunate.
Dedicated Works of Family Members
Baba Amte was also a known writer. He managed to publish some of his works which have been mentioned below:
- “Vote for the soil that will awaken”
- An anthology of poems called “Flames and Flowers”.
Vikas Amte and his wife Bharati are currently working at the Anandwan ashram. Together they run the hospitals and coordinate with other operations that help run the orphanage and the university.
FAQs about Baba Amte
Q1. What personal challenges did Baba Amte face in his work?
Baba Amte was from a very affluent Brahmin family and even though he wanted to be a doctor, he was forced by his father to become a lawyer. His understanding of the existing injustice within our country gave him the spirit to fight against it but in the process gave rise to many challenges such as:
- Encounter with Tulshiram and taking care of him through leprosy.
- Fighting off British officers to protect the integrity of a lady.
- Fighting for the freedom and rights of reprimanded leaders of the independence movement.
- Learning about leprosy and how to rehabilitate the image of lepers in society.
- Empathizing with the sad conditions of people.
Q2. What was Baba Amte’s role in the Narmada Bachao Andolan?
Baba Amte’s support helped the Narmada Bachao Andolan to a great extent. First of all his presence attracted a lot of support from the local population. His fight against the displacement of local tribes and setting up a more sustainable approach to increase water supply for agriculture was of utmost importance.
Q3. How is Anandwan funded and sustained?
Initially, the Anandwan Ashram was established by Baba Amte with the help of this ancestral wealth and is now sustained based on donations from the public.
Q4. Did Baba Amte’s family continue his work?
Yes, his sons Vikas and Prakash are both doctors and are running the Anandwan Ashram.
Q5. How did Baba Amte help reduce the stigma associated with leprosy?
By spreading the word and educating people about the disease. Baba Amte was a propagator of peace and love. His contributions are an example for the entire world as he inspires the youth and spreads the word of God.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Baba Amte’s contribution towards India and its people is a phenomenon in itself. He is truly a gem that sets an example for all Indians across the globe to spread love and help those in need.
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