Renowned social activist and noted Gandhian Baba Amte passed away on February 9, 2008. Baba Amte breathed his last at 4:15 am at Anandvan Ashram, the abode for leprosy patients, in Warora taluka of Chandrapur district in Maharashtra. He was 94. Throughout his life Baba Amte fought against the prevailing injustice and discrimination in the society on the basis of birth, caste and creed. Amongst various other social causes, Baba Amte devoted his entire life for the emancipation of leprosy patients.

 

Baba Amte was born in Hinganghat area of Wardha district of Maharashtra in a family of wealth landlords on December 26, 1914. His full name Murlidhar Devidas Amte. He came to be popularly known as Baba Aamte because his parents addressed him by that name. He was a trained lawyer and participated in the freedom struggle against the British Empire. Baba Amte was a devoted follower of Mahatama Gandhi. He spent time at Gandhi Ashram in Sevagram and was greatly influenced by Vinoba Bhave, and Rabindranath Tagore.

 

Baba Amte was a crusader against the prevailing injustice in the society. After completing his education in Law, he decided to disown his paternal property to devote his energy on emancipation of leprosy patients. Baba Amte, did a leprosy orientation course at the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine and started the Anandwan commune for leprosy patients along with his wife Sadhana. His ashram Anandwan became the nerve-centre of crusade against leprosy.

 

Baba Aamte was associated with many other social causes. In 1985, he launched Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to check communal violence and promote national integration. In 1990, Baba Amte left Anadwan to fight injustice against the people affected by the construction of Sardar Darovar dam on the river Narmada. He was spearheading the Narmada Bachao Andolan.

 

 

Baba Amte was honoured with Padmashree in 1971. In 1983, he got the Damien-Dutton Award, the highest international award in the field of leprosy. In 1985, Baba Amte was honored with the Magsaysay Award for his outstanding commitment to public service. He was honored with Padma Vibushan in 1986. In 1988, Baba was honored with G D Birla International Award and UN Human Rights Award.

 

The list of other awards is as follows: