Baba Amte was born as Murlidhar Devidas Amte on 24th December 1914 in Wardha, Maharashtra. He came from a family of jagirdars, yet he grew up with simplicity and humility. After completing his studies, he became a lawyer and soon established a successful practice.

But the poverty and suffering he saw around him deeply disturbed him. He felt restless in his legal career and finally chose to dedicate his life to the service of humanity. For him, working for social justice was far greater than personal success.

Baba Amte devoted himself especially to the care of leprosy patients. At that time, society treated lepers with fear and prejudice, considering them untouchable and unclean. To fight this cruelty, he founded the Anandwan Ashram, a place where leprosy patients were treated with dignity, care and respect. His work changed people’s outlook and gave new hope to thousands.

In 1988, he started the “Bharat Jodo Movement,” marching from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Gujarat to Assam, to spread the message of peace, unity and environmental awareness. He also established the “Shramik Vidyapeeth,” where patients and volunteers worked together with self-respect and equality. Baba Amte even donated all the money he received from awards to his Anandwan Ashram.

In 1990, he shifted from Anandwan to live along the Narmada river, joining the struggle against social and environmental injustice. His lifelong service was honored with many awards, including the Gandhi Peace Prize in 1999.

Baba Amte’s life remains an inspiration. He showed the world that true greatness lies in serving the poor, the suffering and the forgotten.