For Drs Prakash and Mandakini, who have set up
their life’s work dedicated to the tribal people and animal orphanage at Hemalkasa, awards – be it the Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, the Kingdom of Monaco postage stamp or the latest Marathi movie ‘Dr Prakash Baba Amte: The Real Hero’– are but a small cog in their eternal wheel. Of Baba Amte’s lineage, living a life of austerity in the services of others is a self-fulfilling and empowering act.
“We have travelled thus far because we are certain about our
path. It includes all the people who have worked side by side with us. Some of
them have given up their jobs, education, comforts of city life and come here
to work with all their heart. Awards help to create awareness, but do not
define our work,” maintains
Dr Prakash Amte.
To him, the ultimate purpose is to influence and inspire people, particularly the young. “In India, around 35% of the population is living below the poverty line and people who live in comfort, particularly in the cities, should at least have an exposure to this. I appeal to the youth that before they start their careers, they should visit such projects through NGOs. Somewhere in their subconscious, it does strike a chord,” avers Dr Amte who is heartened by the fact that many youth have changed their lives after a visit to (Lok Biradari Prakalpawas) in Hemalkasa and Anandvan. “Some of them have started orphanages, while others have opted to work with tribal communities. We did not think our life would influence and motivate people to such an extent. This is award enough. The rewards of working in such places are not tangible. Such work brings a greater meaning and purpose to life.”
The fact that three generations of the Amtes have pursued and dedicated a life to social work is testimony of this fact. “We started in 1973 and many things have changed since then, but we feel we are the same and our commitment to social work will always remain the same,” affirms Dr Amte whose legacy is now being carried forward by his own sons, Aniket and Digant, and their families. Not surprisingly, the fourth generation has already adapted to the Amte’s principle of life. What is perhaps more commendable is the fact that both their well qualified daughters-in-law, Dr Anagha Sadale (a Goan from Ponda) and Sameeksha Ghodse (MA Economy) have not only fitted in to the way of life in Hemalkasa, but are contributing immensely to it. While Dr Anagha helps to run the hospital, Sameeksha has started a residential school for 650 students. “They voluntarily came here and, in fact, are more involved in the project that our sons, and have developed their own ideas and projects,” says a justifiably proud Dr Amte, who runs a hospital, school, animal ark and vocational training school.
For Dr Mandakini Amte, however, the journey was a tougher one. But her inner strengths have come to the fore in her loneliest moments. In retrospect, her entire journey has been a spiritually satisfying one, one that she would like the younger generation to experience firsthand. “There was no electricity or telephone. Isolation was my main grieve. I was the only lady among all the men. It was difficult, but the commitment was there. Today, if I were given the choice, I would definitely choose the forests,” she avers.
Like his inspirational book, ‘Pathways to Light’, Dr Prakash Amte gives his first thanks to Taai and Baba for inspiring him to search the pathways to light; to Anandvan’s unconditional support; to the soulmates who worked with him, sacrificing their well-settled lives and to the tribal people who transformed their lives.
Empowering the spirit is perhaps the first gift of life!