On December 26, Google pays tribute to a social worker and activist Murlidhar Devidas Amte, affectionately known as Baba Amte with a doodle on his 104th birthday anniversary.
The picture slideshow honours the life and legacy of Baba Amte and remembers the hardships of his life. He was the man who dedicated his life to serve those in need, especially those afflicted with leprosy.
Baba Amte was born into a wealthy family in Maharashtra in 1914 but dedicated his life for the benefit of others. According to the Google blog post, “Exposed early on to a life of privilege, he would hunt wild animals, play sports and drive luxurious cars. He went on to study law and was running his own successful firm by his 20s. Despite his upbringing, however, Amte was aware of India’s class inequalities throughout his childhood.”
Amte`s life was changed forever when he encountered a man suffering from leprosy. The sight of the man`s decaying body filled him with overwhelming fear. However, he realised that the state of “mental leprosy” that allowed people to feel apathetic in the face of this dreaded affliction is far more dangerous than losing the limbs.
“A strong believer in national unity, Amte launched the first Knit India March in 1985. At age 72, he walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, a distance of more than 3,000 miles with the simple purpose to inspire unity in India,” Google said.
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