A legendary social activist, who sided with marginalised and disabled individuals, and who chose to live according to principles of sustainable development, passed away on 9^th February 2008.

Despite surgery on his spine for cervical spondylitis in 1964, which left him unable to sit ever again, Muralidhar Devidas Amte, inspired many young people to adopt a more humanitarian approach to life and to become political activists. Baba, as his family fondly called him, had strong social inclinations from an early age. He defied convention and his family’s Brahmin status by playing and eating with children of servants and low castes. After gaining a law degree he took on cases. He was disgusted by guilty defendants, who expected that he would obtain their acquittal. Influenced by Gandhi’s ideals of simplicity and truth and fight against injustice, in the early 1930s Baba left the successful law practice he had set up and worked with untouchable sweepers and night soil carriers.

One rainy day, whilst he was scavenging, he met a leprosy patient lying by a pile of soil. In Baba’s own words, this patient had neither feet nor hands to help him. Baba took Tulshiram home with him and looked for every kind of help for his new friend. Assistance was hard to find.

After Tulshiram’s death, Baba was given a plot of thick jungle in a remote area of Maharashtra in Central India. He gathered many people affected by leprosy there and together they transformed this area, from one of inhospitality into one that is tranquil and aesthetically appealing. Appropriately, Baba named it Anandwan, literally “Forest of Joy”. This model of self-reliance, self-confidence and co-operation, is all the more inspiring since many of those who helped construct its buildings and planted the trees, flowers and vegetables are missing limbs.

Baba read extensively about leprosy and attended a certificate course in leprosy in 1950 at the School of Tropical Medicine in Calcutta. In 1951 he began training leprosy patients in nearby villages and formed weekly clinics. Baba cultivated roses that leprosy affected persons could enjoy.

One of Baba’s campaigns was a movement to promote peace and harmony between castes and religions and to protect the environment. He was opposed to destructive development and is credited with stopping a number of large dam projects.

His burial at Anandwan was watched by thousands. Maharashtra state gave him full honours and police fired a 21-gun salute. The Dalai Lama was among many who sent a tribute.

The world has lost a great humanitarian, who was sensitive to his fellow human beings and his environment and prepared to challenge injustice and intolerance. 

Baba Amte, born 26 December 1914, died 9^th February 2008.

Some of the national and international awards presented in honour of Baba Amte:

• 1999     International Gandhi Peace Prize
• 1990     Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion (USA)
• 1988     United Nations Human Rights Prize
• 1986     Padma Vibhushan
• 1985     Magsaysay Award for Public Service (The Philippines)
• 1983     Damien Dutton Award (highest international award in leprosy)
• 1971     Padma Shree 

Category: News and Notes