Baba Amte: A Paradigm Shift from Privilege to Humanitarian Service

An Article by Poojan Patel

I don’t want to be a leader. I want to be one who goes around with a little oil can and offers help when I see a breakdown.

Baba Amte, born Murlidhar Devidas Amte on December 26, 1914, in Hinganghat, Wardha, was a prominent social activist and humanitarian in India. Coming from an affluent Hindu Brahmin family, Baba Amte initially enjoyed a life of privilege. However, his encounter with a blind beggar during Diwali left a profound impact on him, igniting a deep sense of empathy and a desire to address social injustice.  

Despite his family’s expectations for him to become a lawyer and manage the family estate, Baba Amte harbored a dream of becoming a doctor. His early years were marked by a conflict between the opulence of his family’s lifestyle and his inner calling to serve a greater purpose.

Influenced by figures like Tagore, Gandhi, and Sane Guruji, Baba Amte became involved in the freedom struggle. He also worked as a waste carrier to understand the hardships faced by the marginalized. However, his life took a transformative turn when he encountered a man in the final stages of leprosy, a sight that terrified him and shattered his self-image of fearlessness.

This experience prompted Baba Amte to confront his own fears and prejudices. Overcoming a six-month internal crisis, he decided to dedicate his life to serving leprosy patients, recognizing the need to bridge the gap between the privileged and the downtrodden. He viewed societal apathy towards leprosy patients as ‘Mental Leprosy,’ emphasizing the importance of cultivating kindness and compassion for all human beings.

I sought my soul, but

my soul I could not

see, I sought my god,

but my god eluded

me; And then I

sought my sisters

and my brothers, and

in them I found all three.

Baba Amte’s commitment led him to establish Anandwan, a self-sufficient community for leprosy patients, where they could live with dignity and contribute to society. His work earned him numerous accolades, and he became known as a fearless seeker of truth, embodying the values of love, compassion, and service to humanity. Baba Amte’s life and legacy continue to inspire individuals globally to work towards a more compassionate and inclusive society.