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{{Short description|Indian social worker, reformer and activist (1914–2008)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}

{{Infobox person
| name               = Baba Amte
| honorific_prefix   = ''Abhayasadhak''
| honorific_suffix   = 
| image              = Baba Amte 2014 stamp of India.jpg
| image_size         = 245px
| caption            = Baba Amte on a 2014 stamp of India
| birth_date         = {{birth date|df=yes|1914|12|26}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Amte-the-great-social-reformer/articleshow/2768984.cms|title=Amte, the great social reformer|work=India Times|date=9 February 2008|access-date=19 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119222324/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Amte-the-great-social-reformer/articleshow/2768984.cms|archive-date=19 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| birth_place        = [[Hinganghat]], [[Central Provinces and Berar]], [[British Raj|British India]] <br/>(present-day [[Maharashtra]], [[India]])
| death_date         = {{death date and age|df=yes|2008|2|9|1914|12|26}}
| death_place        = [[Anandwan]], [[Chandrapur district]], Maharashtra, India
| nationality        = • {{flag|British India}} (1914-1947)<br/> • {{flag|India}} (1947-2008)
| education          = [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] [[LL.B.]]
| spouse             = Sadhana Amte
| children           = [[Prakash Amte]]<br />Vikas Amte
| awards             = [[Padma Shri]] (1971),<br />[[Ramon Magsaysay Award]] (1985),<br />[[Padma Vibhushan]] (1986),<br />[[United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights]] (1988),<br /> Dr. Ambedkar International Award (1999),<br /> [[Gandhi Peace Prize]](1999),<br />[[Templeton Prize]] (1990),<br/> [[Right Livelihood Award]] (1991),<br/> [[Maharashtra Bhushan]] (2004)
| signature          = BabaAmte Autograph(Eng).jpg
}}
'''Murlidhar Devidas Amte''' ({{Pronunciation|Baba Amte.wav|help=no}}), popularly known as '''Baba Amte''',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923173534/http://www.anandwan.in/about-anandwan/baba-amte.html Baba Amte]. anandwan.in</ref>  (26 December 1914 – 9 February 2008) was an [[Indian people|Indian]] [[social worker]] and [[social activist]] known particularly for his work for the rehabilitation and empowerment of people suffering from [[leprosy]].<ref name="Amte Reference2">{{cite news |title=On his birth anniversary, remembering social reformer Baba Amte |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/on-his-birth-anniversary-remembering-social-reformer-baba-amte-6185408/ |access-date=5 March 2021 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=26 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Amte Reference1" /> He has received numerous awards and prizes including the [[Padma Vibhushan]], the Dr. Ambedkar International Award, the [[Gandhi Peace Prize]], the [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]], the [[Templeton Prize]] and the [[Jamnalal Bajaj Award]]. He is also known as the modern Gandhi of India.<ref name="Amte Reference1" />

== Early life ==
Murlidhar Devidas "Baba" [[Amte]] was born in an affluent [[Deshastha Brahmin]] family<ref>{{cite news|title=Death Anniversary: What Made Baba Amte Dedicate Himself to Rid Society of Leprosy Scourge|url=https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/death-anniversary-what-made-baba-amte-dedicate-himself-to-rid-society-of-leprosy-scourge-4752485.html|publisher=News18|date=9 February 2022|quote=Baba Amte’s full name was Murlidhar Devidas Amte. He was born in a Deshastha Brahmin family in Hinganghat village of Wardha, Maharashtra on 26 December 1914. His father was Devidas Harbaji Amte. His childhood went in royalty as his father was the landlord.}}</ref><ref name="Amte Reference1">{{cite news |last1=Pandey |first1=Kirti |title=Family tree of Baba Amte: Sons Prakash and Vikas Amte; who was Sheetal Amte and her role at Anandwan |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/family-tree-of-baba-amte-sons-prakash-and-vikas-amte-who-was-sheetal-amte-and-her-role-at-anandwan/689042 |access-date=5 March 2021 |publisher=www.timesnownews.com |date=1 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref> on 26 December 1914 in the city of [[Hinganghat]] in [[Maharashtra]].<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> His father, Devidas Amte, was a colonial government officer working  for the  district administration and revenue collection departments.<ref name="Amte Reference2" /><ref name=rmaf>{{cite web|url=http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Biography/BiographyAmteMur.htm|title=BIOGRAPHY of Murlidhar Devidas Amte|publisher=rmaf.org.ph|access-date=17 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060717003010/http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Biography/BiographyAmteMur.htm|archive-date=17 July 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> Murlidhar Amte acquired the nickname ''Baba'' in his childhood.<ref name="Chand Coff">{{cite web|url=http://chanda.nic.in/htmldocs/anandwan.html |title=Maharashtra Bhushan Baba Amte |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224221145/http://chanda.nic.in/htmldocs/anandwan.html |archive-date=24 February 2009 }}</ref><ref name="rediff1">{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/freedom/amte3.htm |title=The Miracle Worker |work=Rediff |access-date=9 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214181554/http://www.rediff.com/freedom/amte3.htm |archive-date=14 February 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="mot_mad">{{citation |url=http://baba.niya.org/index.php?page=mother_maddness |title=Wisdom song: My Mother's Madness |access-date=7 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727124249/http://baba.niya.org/index.php?page=mother_maddness |archive-date=27 July 2011 |url-status=dead |publisher=baba.niya.org}}</ref> His wife, Sadhanatai Amte, explains that he came to be known as Baba not because "he was regarded as a saint or a holy person, but because his parents addressed him by that name."<ref name="Amte Reference2" />{{Request quotation|date=February 2019}}

Amte was the eldest of eight children.<ref name="Amte Reference1" /> As the eldest son of a wealthy land owner, he had an idyllic childhood, filled with hunting and sports.<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> By the time he was fourteen, he owned his own gun and hunted bear and deer.<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> When he was old enough to drive, he was given a Singer Sports car with cushions covered with panther skin. Though he was born in a wealthy family he was always aware of the class inequality that prevailed in Indian society. "There is a certain callousness in families like my family," he used to say. "They put up strong barriers so as to avoid seeing the misery in the outside world and I rebelled against it."

== Dedicated works ==
Trained in law,<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> he developed a successful legal practice in Wardha.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mss.niya.org/people/baba1_amte.php|title=Baba Amte|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011053137/http://mss.niya.org/people/baba1_amte.php|archive-date=11 October 2011|access-date=20 October 2011}}</ref> He soon became involved in the [[Indian independence movement]]<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> and, in 1942, began working as a defense lawyer for Indian leaders imprisoned by the colonial government for their involvement in the [[Quit India movement]]. He spent some time at [[Sevagram]], at the ashram started by [[Mahatma Gandhi]] and became a follower of [[Gandhism]].<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> He practiced Gandhism by engaging in yarn spinning using a [[Spinning wheel#Charkha|charkha]] and wearing [[khadi]]. When Gandhi came to know that Dr. Amte had defended a girl from the lewd taunts of some British soldiers, Gandhi gave him the name – ''Abhay Sadhak'' (Fearless Seeker of Truth).<ref name="Amte Reference2" /><ref>{{cite book|last=MacFarquhar|first=Larissa|title=Strangers Drowning|url=https://archive.org/details/strangersdrownin0000macf|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/strangersdrownin0000macf/page/123 123]|publisher=[[Penguin Press]]|year=2015|isbn=978-1-59420-433-3}}</ref>

However, one day his encounter with a [[leprosy]] patient Tulshiram, who was a veritable living corpse, filled him with fear.<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> Amte, who had until that point never feared anything and had bravely fought British soldiers to save the honour of a girl, quivered with fright at Tulshiram's plight.<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> Thereafter, Amte strove to establish the thought that leprosy patients could only be truly helped when the society is freed of "Leprosy of the mind" - the fear of the disease, and wrong interpretations thereof.<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> To dispel this entrenched fear, he once injected himself with bacilli from a leprosy patient, to prove that the ailment was not highly contagious as was the belief prevailing at the time.<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> In those days, people with leprosy suffered a social stigma and the Indian society disowned these people.<ref name="Rediff2">{{cite web| url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/09amte2.htm?zcc=rl| title=Amte was The last follower of Mahatma Gandhi| work=Rediff| date=9 February 2008| access-date=10 February 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108145247/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/09amte2.htm?zcc=rl| archive-date=8 November 2011| url-status=live}}</ref> But Baba Amte and his wife used to prioritise the care and treatment and mainstreaming those affected by the dreaded disease of leprosy and lived amongst the affected and ensured that they got exemplary medical care which ended the scourge of the disease for them.<ref name="Amte Reference1" /> For the rehabilitated and cured patients he arranged vocational training and small-scale manufacturing of handicrafts and got things crafted by them.<ref name="Amte Reference1" /> He struggled and tried to remove the stigma and ignorance surrounding the treatment of leprosy as a disease.<ref name="Amte Reference1" />

Amte founded three [[ashram]]s for treatment and rehabilitation of leprosy patients, disabled people and people from marginalised sections of general society in Maharashtra. On 15 August 1949, he and his wife Sadhna Amte started a leprosy hospital in Anandvan <ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Anandwan |url=https://anandwan.in/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=anandwan.in |archive-date=20 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120090751/https://anandwan.in/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> under a tree.<ref name="Amte Reference1" /> The leprosy patients were provided with medical care and a life of dignity engaged in agriculture and various small and medium industries like handicrafts.<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> In 1973, Amte founded the [[Lok Biradari Prakalp]] to work for the [[Madia Gond]] tribal people of [[Gadchiroli District]]. Baba Amte also involved in other social cause initiatives like, in year 1985 he launched the first Knit India Mission for peace-at 72 years he walked from [[Kanyakumari]] to Kashmir, a distance of more than 3000 miles, to inspire unity among Indian people and organised second march three years later travelling over 1800 miles from Assam to Gujarat.<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> He also participated in [[Narmada Bachao Andolan]] in year 1990, leaving Anandwan and lived on banks of [[Narmada River|Narmada]] for seven years.<ref name="Amte Reference2" />

Amte devoted his life to many other social causes, most notably the Quit India movement and attempting to raise public awareness on the importance of ecological balance, wildlife preservation and the [[Narmada Bachao Andolan]].<ref name="Amte Reference2" /> The [[government of India|Indian Government]] awarded Baba Amte with a Padma Shri in 1971.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ministry of Home Affairs - Padma Awards listing by year |url=https://dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in/?Year=1971-1971&Award=Padma%20Shri |access-date=April 7, 2023 |website=Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India}}</ref>

== Dedicated works of family members ==
Amte married Indu Ghuleshastri (later called Sadhanatai Amte).<ref name=chand_coff>{{cite web|url=http://chanda.nic.in/htmldocs/anandwan.html |title=Maharashtra Bhushan Baba Amte |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224221145/http://chanda.nic.in/htmldocs/anandwan.html |archive-date=24 February 2009 }}</ref> She participated in her husband's social work with equal dedication. Their two sons, [[Vikas Amte]] and [[Prakash Amte]], and daughters-in-law, [[Mandakini Amte|Mandakini]] and Bharati, are doctors. All four dedicated their lives to social work and causes similar to those of the senior Amte. Prakash and his wife Mandakini run a school and a hospital at [[Hemalkasa]] village in the underprivileged district of [[Gadchiroli]] in Maharashtra among the Madia Gond tribe, as well as an orphanage for injured wild animals, including a lion and some leopards. She left her governmental medical  and moved to Hemalkasa to start the projects after they married. Their two sons, Dr. Digant and Aniket also dedicated their lives to the same causes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ashanet.org/nycnj/?id=79|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417214443/http://www.ashanet.org/nycnj/?id=79|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-04-17|title=Social workers Drs. Prakash and Manda Amte inspire listeners at Asha NYC/NJ|work=Ashanet}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mastek.com/content/mastekpapers/23June2006.asp |title=Dr Prakash Amte and Dr Mandatai Amte have won the Spirit of Mastek Award for their selfless service for the Gonds of Gadchiroli in Maharashtra|work=Mastek|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509164349/http://www.mastek.com/content/mastekpapers/23June2006.asp |archive-date=9 May 2008 }}</ref> In 2008, Prakash and Mandakini received the [[Magsaysay Award]] for Community Leadership.<ref name=Magsaysay>{{cite web|url=http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Citation/CitationAmtes.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080812201701/http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Citation/CitationAmtes.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 August 2008| title=The 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership. Citation for Prakash Amte and Mandakini Amte|publisher=Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation|date=31 August 2008}}</ref>

Amte's elder son Vikas and his wife Bharati run the hospital at [[Anandwan]] and co-ordinate operations with satellite projects.<ref name="mss">{{cite web| url=http://mss.niya.org/people/amte.php| title=Amte Family| access-date=9 February 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213133627/http://mss.niya.org/people/amte.php| archive-date=13 February 2008|url-status = dead| df=dmy-all|publisher=niya.org}}</ref> [[Anandwan]] has a university, an orphanage, and schools for the blind and the deaf. The Anandwan ashram is self-sufficient and has over 5,000 residents.<ref name="rediff1" /> Amte later founded "Somnath" and "Ashokwan" ashrams for people suffering from leprosy.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

== Gandhism ==
Amte followed [[Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhi]]'s way of life and led a spartan life.<ref name="Amte Reference1" /> He wore [[khadi]] clothes made from the looms at [[Anandwan]].<ref name="Amte Reference1" /> He believed in Gandhi's concept of a self-sufficient village industry that empowers seemingly helpless people, and successfully brought his ideas into practice at [[Anandwan]]. Using [[Nonviolence|non-violent]] means, he played an important role in the struggle for the independence of India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/09amte4.htm|title=Baba Amte: The Gandhi after that Gandhi|work=Rediff|date=9 February 2008|access-date=17 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212180358/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/09amte4.htm|archive-date=12 February 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Amte also used Gandhi's  principles to fight against corruption, mismanagement, and poor, shortsighted planning in the government. However, Amte never disowned God. He used to say that if there are hundred thousands of universes then God must be very busy. Let us do our work on our own.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/obituary/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10757984|title=Baba Amte Obituary|newspaper=The Economist|date=28 February 2008|access-date=8 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304165414/http://www.economist.com/obituary/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10757984|archive-date=4 March 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Narmada Bachao Andolan with Medha Patkar ==
In 1990, Amte left [[Anandwan]] for a while to live along the [[Narmada River]] and joined ''[[Narmada Bachao Andolan]]'' ("Save Narmada") movement one of whose popular leaders was [[Medha Patkar]], which fought against both unjust displacement of local inhabitants and damage to the environment due to the construction of the [[Narmada dam|Sardar Sarovar]] dam on the Narmada river.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rightlivelihood.org/narmada.html |title=Right Livelihood Award: 1991 – Medha Patkar &Baba Amte / Narmada Bachao Andolan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113140421/http://www.rightlivelihood.org/narmada.html |archive-date=13 November 2007|publisher=rightlivelihood.org }}</ref><ref>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/president-pm-condole-baba-amte-s-death/story-GwYkkPvYSg2EDHH6GskVGJ.html President, PM condole Baba Amte's death] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119132841/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/president-pm-condole-baba-amte-s-death/story-GwYkkPvYSg2EDHH6GskVGJ.html |date=19 November 2018 }}. ''Hindustan Times''. Updated 9 February 2008.</ref>

==Death==
Amte died at Anandwan on 9 February 2008<ref name="Amte Reference1" /> in Maharashtra of age-related illnesses.<ref name=nytimesobit>{{Cite news|title=Baba Amte, 93, Dies; Advocate for Lepers|last=Pandya|first=Haresh|newspaper=The New York Times|date=17 February 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/17/world/asia/17amte.html?smid=pl-share}}</ref> By choosing to get buried rather than be cremated he followed the principles he preached as environmentalist and social reformer.<ref name="Amte Reference2" />

== Awards ==
* [[Padma Shri]], 1971<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080216111449/http://mha.nic.in/Padma/PadmaAwardsDir(1954-2007).pdf Padma Awards Directory (1954–2007)]. Ministry of Home Affairs</ref>
* [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]], 1985<ref name="Amte Reference1" /><ref name="Amte Reference2" />
:: '''Citation''': ''"In electing MURLIDHAR DEVIDAS AMTE to receive the 1985 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service, the Board of Trustees recognizes his work-oriented rehabilitation of Indian leprosy patients and other handicapped outcasts."''
* [[Padma Vibhushan]], 1986<ref name="Amte Reference1" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=26 December 2018|title=Google honours Baba Amte: The man who defined the real purpose of life|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/google-honours-baba-amte-the-man-who-defined-the-real-purpose-of-life-1417373-2018-12-26|access-date=2020-08-20|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Amte Reference2" />
* [[United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights]], 1988<ref name=nytimesobit/><ref name="Amte Reference3">{{cite news |last1=Deol |first1=Taran |title=Baba Amte — who broke social norms to knit an inclusive India |url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/baba-amte-who-broke-social-norms-to-knit-an-inclusive-india/340948/ |access-date=6 March 2021 |publisher=ThePrint |date=26 December 2019}}</ref>
* Rashtriya Bhushan, 1978: FIE Foundation [[Ichalkaranji]] (India)<ref name="Amte Reference3" />
* [[Jamnalal Bajaj Award]],<ref name="Amte Reference1" /> 1979 for Constructive Work<ref>{{cite web |title=Jamnalal Bajaj Awards Archive |url=http://www.jamnalalbajajfoundation.org/awards/archives/2010 |publisher=[[Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation]] |access-date=7 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817053124/http://www.jamnalalbajajfoundation.org/awards/archives/2010 |archive-date=17 August 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* N.D. Diwan Award, 1980: National Society for Equal Opportunities for the 'Handicapped' (NASEOH), Bombay
* Ramshastri Award, 1983: Ramshastri Prabhune Foundation, Maharashtra, India
* Indira Gandhi Memorial Award, 1985: Government of Madhya Pradesh for outstanding social service
* Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award, 1986: Delhi
* Fr. Maschio Platinum Jubilee Award, 1987: Bombay
* G.D. Birla International Award, 1988: For outstanding contribution to humanism
* [[Templeton Prize]], 1990 [Baba Amte and Charles Birch (Emeritus professor of University of Sydney) were jointly awarded the prize in 1990]<ref name="Amte Reference1" /><ref name=nytimesobit/>
* Mahadeo Balwant Natu Puraskar, 1991, Pune, Maharashtra
* Adivasi Sewak Award, 1991, Government of Maharashtra
* Kusumagraj Puraskar, 1991
* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Dalit Mitra Award, 1992, Government of Maharashtra
* Shri Nemichand Shrishrimal Award, 1994
* Fr. Tong Memorial Award, 1995, Voluntary Health Association of India
* Kushta Mitra Puraskar, 1995: Vidarbha Maharogi Sewa Mandal, Amravati, Maharashtra
* Bhai Kanhaiya Award, 1997: Sri Guru Harkrishan Education Trust, Bhatinda, Punjab
* Manav Sewa Award, 1997: Young Men's Gandhian Association, Rajkot, Gujarat
* Sarthi Award, 1997, Nagpur, Maharashtra
* Mahatma Gandhi Charitable Trust Award, 1997, Nagpur, Maharashtra
* Gruhini Sakhi Sachiv Puraskar, 1997, Gadima Pratishthan, Maharashtra
* Kumar Gandharva Puraskar, 1998
* Apang Mitra Puraskar, 1998, Helpers of the Handicapped, Kolhapur, Maharashtra
* Bhagwan Mahaveer Award, 1998, Chennai
* Diwaliben Mohanlal Mehta Award, 1998, Mumbai
* Justice K. S. Hegde Foundation Award, 1998, Karnataka
* Baya Karve Award, 1998, Pune, Maharashtra
* Savitribai Phule Award, 1998, Government of Maharashtra
* Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Award, 1988: FICCI, for outstanding achievements in training and placement of disabled persons
* Satpaul Mittal Award, 1998, Nehru Sidhant Kendra Trust, Ludhiana, Punjab
* Adivasi Sevak Puraskar, 1998, Government of Maharashtra
* [[Gandhi Peace Prize]], 1999<ref name="Amte Reference1" /><ref name="rediff1"/>
* Dr. Ambedkar International Award for Social Change, 1999, Government of India<ref name="Amte Reference1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timescontent.com/syndication-photos/reprint/news/460838/murlidhar-devidas-amte-dr.-ambedkar.html|title=Murlidhar Devidas Amte, News Photo, K.R. Narayanan (L), President ...|website=timescontent.com|date=6 December 2000|access-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930163011/https://timescontent.com/syndication-photos/reprint/news/460838/murlidhar-devidas-amte-dr.-ambedkar.html|archive-date=30 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2000/12/07/stories/0207000g.htm|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=A crusader for the poor|date=7 December 2000}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
* [[Maharashtra Bhushan Award]], 2004, Government of Maharashtra<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/01/stories/2005050102571000.htm| title=Award for Baba Amte, Mashelkar| location=Chennai, India| date=1 May 2005| access-date=3 February 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417215706/http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/01/stories/2005050102571000.htm| archive-date=17 April 2009| work=[[The Hindu]]| url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Bharathvasa award, 2008
* On 26 December 2018, search engine [[Google]] commemorated him on his 104th birthday, with a [[google doodle]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/google-doodle-honours-baba-amte-on-104th-birthday/articleshow/67250381.cms|title=Google Doodle honours Baba Amte on 104th birthday|website=The Times of India|date=26 December 2018 |access-date=2018-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226062359/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/google-doodle-honours-baba-amte-on-104th-birthday/articleshow/67250381.cms|archive-date=26 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Honorary titles ===
* D.Litt., [[Tata Institute of Social Sciences]], [[Mumbai]], India
* D.Litt., 1980: [[Nagpur University]], [[Nagpur]], India
* Krishi Ratna, 1981: Hon. Doctorate, [[Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth|PKV Agricultural University]], [[Akola city|Akola]], Maharashtra, India
* D.Litt., 1985–86: [[Pune University]], [[Pune]], India
* Desikottama, 1988: Hon. Doctorate, [[Visva-Bharati University]], [[Santiniketan]], West Bengal, India
* [[Mahatma Gandhi]] had conferred on Amte the title ''Abhayasadhak'' ("A Fearless Aspirant") for his involvement in the Indian independence movement.

== Quotes ==
* "I don't want to be a great leader; I want to be a man who goes around with a little oilcan and when he sees a breakdown, offers his help. To me, the man who does that is greater than any holy man in saffron-coloured robes. The mechanic with the oilcan: that is my ideal in life."<ref name="rmaf" /> (Self-description given to British journalist Graham Turner)
* "I took up leprosy work not to help anyone, but to overcome that fear in my life. That it worked out good for others was a by-product. But the fact is I did it to overcome fear."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mymedicalmantra.com/we-dont-want-sympathy-but-respect-allow-us-to-live-a-dignified-life-says-leprosy-survivor-world-leprosy-day/|title='We don't want sympathy, but respect. Allow us to live a dignified life,' says leprosy survivor on World Leprosy Day|date=30 January 2017|work=My Medical Mantra|access-date=27 September 2017|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927155538/http://www.mymedicalmantra.com/we-dont-want-sympathy-but-respect-allow-us-to-live-a-dignified-life-says-leprosy-survivor-world-leprosy-day/|archive-date=27 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Further reading ==
In her 2015 book [[Strangers Drowning]], [[Larissa MacFarquhar]] profiled Amte as one of the extremely altruistic people she classifies as "do-gooders".<ref>{{cite book |last=MacFarquhar |first=Larissa |author-link=Larissa MacFarquhar |date=2015 |title=Strangers Drowning: Impossible Idealism, Drastic Choices, and the Urge to Help |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |pages=119-151 |isbn=978-1-5942-0433-3 |chapter=The Humiliation of Strangers |language=English}}</ref>

== Related ==
* [[Anandwan]]
* [[Dr. Prakash Baba Amte – The Real Hero]] film
* [[Mandakini Amte]]
* [[Sheetal Amte]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Baba Amte}}

* {{Official website|http://anandwan.in/|Anandwan, official website}}
* [http://bharari.net/report-on-anandwan Report on Anandwan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222062039/http://www.bharari.net/report-on-anandwan/ |date=22 February 2013 }}
* [http://bharari.net/report-on-hemalkasa Report on Hemalkasa]{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTtbElyC9lE Baba Amtes Jodo bharat Clip]

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Social Work}}
{{Templeton Prize Laureates}}
{{Gandhi Peace Prize laureates}}
{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{RMA winners of India}}
{{Jamnalal Bajaj Award winners}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Indian Independence Movement}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amte, Baba}}
[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:Gandhians]]
[[Category:Activists from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Indian social workers]]
[[Category:Leprosy activists]]
[[Category:Leprosy in India]]
[[Category:Marathi people]]
[[Category:People from Wardha district]]
[[Category:Ramon Magsaysay Award winners]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Gandhi Peace Prize]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Maharashtra Bhushan Award]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in social work]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in social work]]
[[Category:Templeton Prize laureates]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educational theorists]]
[[Category:Indian health activists]]