His Holiness the Dalai Lama mourns the demise of Baba Amte
Monday, 11 February 2008, 11:07 a.m
Baba Amte (left) with His Holiness the Dalai Lama: File Photo (www.tibet.com) |
Dharamshala: His Holiness the
Dalai Lama mourned the demise of Baba Amte, the renowned Indian
humanitarian activist and winner of Magsaysay award, who due to prolong
illness, breathed his last on Saturday. He was 94.
Baba Amte founded the Anandvan ashram in 1951, as a home for
leprosy patients. He and his wife took care of the patientsïž’ medical
and social needs.
He dedicated his life to various other social causes, notably wildlife preservation and his involvement in Narmada Bachao Ando
His Holiness, in his condolence message to Dr Vikas Amte, said:
“I am saddened to learn about the passing away of your father, Baba
Amte early this morning. I would like to convey my deep felt
condolences to you and your family members and the community at
Anandvan.”
“His demise is a great loss to all of us. I am an admirer of
Baba Amte. I vividly remember my visit to his thriving community of
handicapped people at Anandvan in 1990,” His Holiness said.
His Holiness further said: “At the time I could not help
feeling that here was someone who was truly compassionate. In fact, I
told him at the time that whereas my compassion is just so much talk,
his shone through everything he did, including his work for creating
greater awareness about the protection of our environment.”
Baba Amte is survived by his two sons, Vikas and Prakash Amte, both social workers.