Murlidhar Devidas (Baba) Amte
Hero
- Peacemaker - Role Model
26-Dec-1914
INDIA [map]
Maharashtra
Hinganghat
Murlidhar Devidas Amte, or Baba Amte, as he is fondly known, was born in Hinganghat located in Wardha District of Maharashtra state of India. He was from a wealthy family of jagirdars.
Male
1900-Present
Trained in law, Baba Amte started a lucrative practice at Warora but, moved by the poverty he saw around him, he decided to dedicate himself to social justice.
One of India's most revered social and moral leaders, Baba Amte has devoted his life to the care and rehabilitation of leprosy patients, even allowing his body to be used for experiments to grow leprosy germs. His community development project at Anandwan (Forest of Bliss) near Nagpur in Maharashtra, India, is recognised and respected around the world and has done much to dispel prejudice against leprosy victims.
Baba Amte also launched the Bharat Jodo (Unite India) movements from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 1985 and Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh in 1988, with the mission of establishing peace and raising environmental consciousness.
In 1990, Baba Amte left Anandwan to live along the Narmada river to fight against social injustice to local inhabitants. Although he continues to support the movement for rehabilitation of tribals affected by the construction of large dams on the Narmada, he has recently returned to Anandwan for health reasons.
RLA 1991
Heroic
Characteristics of Murlidhar Devidas (Baba) Amte
Strong character and belief system
Personal power thru example and deeds
Advocate of Human Rights
Promote nonviolence
/ Oppose violence
Support justice / Confront Injustice
Advocate Freedom & Democracy
/ Oppose Oppression
Lead others / Teach others / Become involved
Manage conflict by building relationships
Manage conflict by solving problems
