Sadhana Amte, social worker and widow of Gandhian Baba Amte died from a prolonged illness on Saturday around 5 pm at Anandwan, their home for the leprosy-affected at Warora in Chandrapur district. She was 86 years old.
Family sources said that she was not keeping well since Baba’s death but her health deteriorated in the last month. She is survived by two sons, Vikas and Prakash and two adopted daughters, Renuka and Bijlee.
She was born on May 5, 1926. She got married to Baba Amte on December 18, 1946. In 1949, Baba set up Anandwan, a home for leprosy patients and other disabled people. Fondly called Sadhanatai, she actively worked with her husband and dedicated her life in the service of leprosy affected people. She even joined her husband on the banks of Narmada in the support of Medha Patkar’s Narmada Bachao Andolan.
In her autobiography ‘Samittu’, she described how she and Baba carried out their mission fighting the difficulties they faced. ‘I had to become a mountain of ice to balance out the volcano called Baba Amte,’ Sadhanatai wrote in her book.
She has also mentioned in the book about her marriage and how Baba fought with the thieves and was covered with bandages on their wedding day.
Her autobiography has been translated in English and several Indian languages as it received tremendous response from readers all over the world.
Following their parents footsteps, Sons Vikas and Prakash are engaged in social service. Like his father, Prakash Amte and his wife Madakini Amte have received Magsaysay Award.
Honouring Sadhanatai’s wish, she would be buried in the same grave of her husband, who passed away in February, 2008. She had even selected the sari to be put on her for the last rites.
(Baba Amte with Sadhana Amte in an undated photo)
Her last rites will be performed at Anandwan on Sunday morning.
No comments:
Post a Comment