I recall a Day at IIT, Delhi some 23-24 years ago. I was told that Baba Amte on his way to Bharat Jodo yatra would be visiting. A handful of people not more than 100 were awaiting him. Arun Shourie was amongst us. A very non-descript type, stern faced man in a hand stiched khadi half-pant and baniyan appeared on the scene half an hour later alongwith some workers and activists. To me it was very un-impressive show of a Bharat Yatra. Suddenly I noticed Arun Shorie, the then chief editor of Indian Express in Baba's feet. This was the time when the news paper and it's editor were confronting the 'darling dreaming young Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi'. I followed Shorie in the flow and touched the feet of 'the Saint of untouchable leprosy patients'. I have never seen Gandhiji. Through Baba Amte, I could know what Gandhiji was.
RE:ARUN SHORIE touching BABA AMTE'S FEET
by priyvrat kohar on Feb 09, 2008 01:13 PM Permalink
that is touching! i heard a lot about this man as i worked for a social organisation but never got the opportunity to meet him. now i realise what i have missed?
Shri Baba Amte lived on the Gandhian philosophy. His contribution towards upliftment of leaprosy patients was unforgetable. A 'true saint' as described by our President and Prime Minister is no more but his work will remain immoral in the form of Anandvan. Instead of fighting on the shud Atalji or else shud be given the Bharatratna, all political parties shud think of Baba Amte for this highest civilian honour.
It is a sad moment for me personally to learn about the demise of Dr Baba Amte.
I am one of the few fortunate individuals having spent most of my childhood in his presence. I am geatly inspired by his selfless attitude and the social upliftment of the leprosy patients and physically challenged individuals. The legacy continued through his his two sons (Dr Vikas Amte and Dr Prakash Amte) and two adopted daughters (Renuka and Bijlee).
Dr Baba Amte also set up Anand Niketan College for undergratuates in Science, Arts, Commerce college in 1964 and Agricultural college in the following year. The college churned out some of the brilliant students and went for great careers in the professional and scientific worlds.
My Father Mr Gopinath Roy was the founder Principal of the college and served the institution for 26 years. I was also an alumni of the same college before moving on to pursuing my career in Engineering.
I remember the remarks of Dr Baba Amte when my father expired in 2004, "Tuze wadil ek yogi hote (your dad was a saint). A saintly person only can talk about others which such such a respect and humility.
Pray for his soul to rest in peace. Anandwan 91-7176-282034
RE:BABA - UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
by Shivaraj Menon on Feb 09, 2008 12:09 PM Permalink
Dear Shantanu Roy,
You really was very lucky that u had ur childhood in the Anandwan ambience coz childhood memories are the most nostalgic cherishing n missing one too. I was there for only two years just after ur clearing the terms in merit position. U r more lucky you had Roy Sir as ur father. When I was there though no personal aquaintance bt even then Roy Sir used to take care about me specially. But unfortunately I cudn't be as successpful he desired. He too was really a saint figure whose misty eyes always depicted a feeling of calmness n solace to me. I came to know very late abt his demise and for some moments and that day I really felt sad of missing something.. as if the ambience of that college has lost something.
Baba is such a great soul that I cannot say anything about him.
RE:BABA - UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
by Anish Forge on Feb 09, 2008 11:19 AM Permalink
Dear Roy you are very luck to have studied in the institute that Baba has started and spend your childhood with Baba We pray the almighty to rest his soul in peace.
RE:Deserves Bharat Ratna in a true sense
by Harish Iyer on Feb 09, 2008 11:49 AM Permalink
Well he is not a Political person like Atalji or Mulayamji or Karunanidhiji. His work speaks for itself. Let us not degrade Baba Amte by honoring him with the Bharat Ratna. He doesn't need it because he was the only true 'BHARAT RATNA'we had. I would say that he was a 'VISHWA RATNA' for a man like him comes only once in a lifetime.
Baba was real ICON of India. A true role model for younger generations to look at. May his soul rest in peace,pray LORD for his soul to be lead into heaven.
It is a great loss for the destitutes and needy people. Heart felt condolences.
Our media have time to discuss the unwanted issues like the marriage between Kareena and Saif Ali Khan and such things. Why don't them bring out and highlight the great work done great people like Baba Amte. That will inspire the young generation. Otherwise our young people will only be interested in getting married at the age of 18 and have sex before that. My earnest request to media is to inspire young people with human value based education.
RE:Great Loss
by Hindustan Zindabad on Feb 09, 2008 10:41 AM Permalink
Very true ... but we will never see that happen .. most of the people will just ignore this article or will never know what all he did .. and obviously media gives more importance to the ring on Karina's hand !!!
What he did can not be described in words and measured by any scale. He devoted his entire life for the cause where people do not want to look at even today. Salute to true son of soil.
