The Beginning

Half a century ago a man was moved to the core by the unbearable
miseries, agony and social ostracism being suffered by victims of
leprosy. It was sufficient to help him realize what his life's mission
ought to be. He wanted to be faithful to his conscience. He
relinquished his luxurious life style, his lucrative profession and
voluntarily embraced poverty to identify himself with the deprived and
the depressed. The rest of his life was a saga of struggle, a struggle
against the infirmities of the mind of man, a struggle against the
cruelties of the world. The rest of his life was a poem in action; a
beautiful poem of self-less service, of creative compassion, of
unflinching faith, of determination, love and peace. Yes, the reference
here is to none else than the great humanitarian Baba Amte, who has
been honoured with several prestigious awards including international
ones such as The Templeton Prize (popularly know as the Nobel Prize
for Religion) and The Right Livelihood Award (popularly known as the
Alternative Nobel Prize). But for such a great person as Baba who says:
"I want no Nobel Prize. I have ever sought but a noble enterprise; the
smile of a man who is oppressed or a child who is suffering is what I
covet more than any award." What are these awards? What prize can
equal his service and sacrifice? What words can describe his vision and
mission? No doubt, no awards and recognitions can ever do full justice
to him. He is simply well beyond them all. He is simply unaffected by
bouquets and brickbats.

The Philosophy

I sought my soul, my soul I could not see;

I sought my God, my God eluded me;
I sought my brother and found all three.

This realization of a poet found its fullest expression in the life and
work of Baba Amte. He sought not God in the sanctum sanctorum of a
temple but found him even in the heart of a disfigured and
decomposed leper. He worshipped not by the chanting of mantras, by
the offering of flowers, but by the worship of work, by lighting lamps of
hope in hearts grown with despair, by serving wounded souls with love
and care.

His Anandwan (forest of joy) is not a rehabilitation center where

thousands of lepers and other disabled men find food and shelter but it
is a school from where they learn lessons of self-help, self respect and
selfless service. It is a school from where they learn lessons of co-
operation and peaceful co-existence. "Work Builds; Charity Destroys" is
his sublime philosophy. His is a philosophy in action. He would say,
"Give them a Chance not Charity." And that's what he precisely did. He
created for the leprosy-stricken and the disabled ample opportunities
to let them stand on their own feet. His motivating approach towards
leprosy has ever been, "You can live without fingers but not without
self-respect." His Anandwan is a self-made, self-sustaining, modern,
model village. It is a miniature India where unity and harmony, joy and
love reign supreme. He is a Magician who transforms self-pity into
Ability; a Mechanic who mends the minds of men; a Messenger who
leaves everywhere messages of love and peace.

As a Source of Inspiration

Baba said: "The modern young generation is but a spectator's

generation! They want politics without commitment and power without
performance. But let me warn you that nothing worth achieving has
ever been achieved without involvement with purpose. Instead of
begging for signatures of others, the young should stamp his signature
on times and events!" But still Baba had reposed boundless confidence
in youth and has ever been a great source of inspiration to many
young men and women of our times. He said: "Friends, you must now
gird up your loins for constructive work which, like the roots of a tree,
draws substance unto itself. Then alone will you be able to face the
challenging task of nation building. I urge you, before you make a
start, to study and understand this secret of the seed becoming one
with the soil." He has infused inspiration and strength in many a youth
across the globe. What is heartening to note is that, unlike many other
greats including Mahatma Gandhi, he along with his great wife, Smt.
Sadhana Amte, has also been able to gift to mankind an entire family
of committed social workers-children, their spouses, grandchildren etc.
They are all now engaged in carrying forward his vision and mission
with equal zest and an uncompromising determination