About this stamp
A Life Dedicated to Compassion and Social Justice
Early Life and Education
Muralidhar Devidas Amte, fondly known as Baba Amte, was born on 26 December 1914 in Hinganghat, Maharashtra. After completing his law degree in 1936, he began his career as an advocate in Warora. However, his sharp legal mind was soon overshadowed by a deeper calling—serving the oppressed and marginalized.
Awakening to Social Service
Deeply moved by the suffering of farmers and rural communities, Baba Amte organized farmers’ cooperatives and volunteered in calamities such as the Quetta earthquake (1935) and the Bengal famine (1940s). Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi, he took part in the freedom struggle, even facing imprisonment for mobilizing lawyers in support of nationalist leaders.
His compassion was further shaped by Sane Guruji, the renowned social reformer from Maharashtra. Renouncing his property and legal career, Baba Amte—along with his wife Sadhana—established a Shram Ashram (Hermitage of Labour) to uplift India’s most neglected communities.
Turning Point: The Fight Against Leprosy
A life-changing moment arrived when he encountered a man in the advanced stages of leprosy. The experience transformed him deeply, leading him to dedicate his life to the care, dignity, and rehabilitation of leprosy patients.
In 1949, he completed specialized training at the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine and began treating leprosy patients across 60 villages—travelling entirely on foot. The same year, he founded the Maharogi Seva Samiti, a charitable trust that became the backbone of his humanitarian mission.
Anandwan – The ‘Forest of Joy’
With his wife, two sons, and six leprosy patients, Baba Amte established Anandwan, meaning “Forest of Joy.” What began as a small commune soon evolved into a self-reliant, thriving community that empowered people once considered outcasts.
Anandwan grew to include:
- A hospital with specialized wards
- A school for the visually impaired
- A school for the hearing and speech impaired
- A college of agriculture
- An orphanage
- Farmlands cultivated by residents, ensuring total self-sufficiency
Anandwan became a symbol of dignity, resilience, and human potential.
Champion of National Unity and Tribal Welfare
Beyond his work with leprosy patients, Baba Amte championed tribal health and rights. In 1985, he led the historic Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Jammu, urging national unity and discouraging communal violence, linguistic disputes, and regional divisions.
He also played a crucial role in environmental and human rights movements, including protests against the displacement caused by the Narmada Dam Project.
Awards and Recognition
Baba Amte’s tireless service earned him some of the nation’s and world’s highest honors, including:
- Padma Shri (1971)
- Damien-Dutton Award (1983)
- Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service (1985)
- Padma Vibhushan (1986)
- Welfare of the Disabled Award (1986)
- Gandhi Peace Prize (1999)
These accolades reflect his lifelong commitment to humanity, equality, and justice.
Legacy and Commemorative Stamp
Baba Amte continued his humanitarian work until his passing on 9 February 2008. To honor this towering figure of compassion and social reform, a commemorative postage stamp on Baba Amte was issued, celebrating his unwavering dedication to serving society’s most marginalized.
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