Like Father Like Son

When I started to write blog on this topic the very first name came into my mind was Baba Amte.In fact I had decided to write about him as my first entry on this topic but than found out about few others so thought to write about him as my next entry.But yesterday when I read about his son and daughter in law who also have led a life of self less service for the tribals of Madhya Pradesh, I decided to name them as my next unsung heroes.

In fact we all are familiar with the works of Baba Amte but do we know that his son and daughter in law have continued his work .I only came to know about them by reading the newspaper yesterday . Reading about him made me feel that we are nothing in front of them and our country is running high because of their good works.
In India they say that an able son should carry his father's work forward and that is what Dr Prakash Amte has done exactly.He has taken the mantle from his father and 35 years ago set up his first hospital for the Madia Gond Tribals in the forest regions of gadchiroli district of Maharastra .
The decision to work for these tribals was taken when he visited them along with his father while he was studying.He encountered their poverty ,suffering to health care.It was than and there he decided to work for them after getting the medical degree.I salute to Dr Mandakini who also joined her husband in this mission and the newly wed trudged 50 km from Alapalli to reach Hemkalasa where Baba Amte had put up a hut.
Life was very tough for them earlier.the place used to be cut off for six months with no bridges on river.The tribal dialect was difficult to communicate as those people did not speak any other language.The most difficult thing was that these tribals were suspicious of outsiders and resistant to the idea of visiting the Amtes for treatment.
Besides working for these tribals ,Prakash is known for his love for wild life and nature.He has set up a virtual zoo at his Hemkalasa camp and calls it "Animal Orphange".In fact two years before e was beaten by a viper ,which almost pushed him to death.The snake now is the member of his zoo.
Now after so many years he got a recognisation, when he along with wife got the Magsaysay award for his work in the category of community leadership.His father had won the same award in 1975.
That is why my post says"LIKE FATHER LIKE SON"