Baba Amte

Baba Amte (1914–2008) was an Indian social worker and activist who founded Anandwan, a community supporting people affected by leprosy and disability.

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Anandwan: A community in Maharashtra, India, founded by Baba Amte to support people affected by leprosy and disability. Amte’s best-known initiative joined medical care, rehabilitation, work, and community life.
Leprosy: A chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae that primarily affects skin and peripheral nerves. Amte built Anandwan around care, rehabilitation, and dignity for people affected by this disease.
Sadhana Amte: An Indian social worker who worked alongside her husband Baba Amte at Anandwan. She helped establish and sustain the community’s care and rehabilitation work.
Narmada Bachao Andolan: A social movement opposing displacement and environmental damage associated with dams in the Narmada valley. Amte supported the movement and lived among its protesters during his later activism.
Charity: Voluntary assistance given to people in need, often through donations or direct aid. Amte emphasized participation and productive work rather than treating residents as passive recipients.
Maharogi Sewa Samiti: An Indian nonprofit organization founded by Baba Amte that operates Anandwan and related projects. This organization provides the institutional framework for Amte’s community work.
Leprosy stigma: Social exclusion and discrimination directed at people affected by leprosy. Amte’s insistence on shared work and community directly opposed this exclusion.
Prakash Amte: An Indian physician and social worker who founded Lok Biradari Prakalp. Baba Amte’s son extended community service through health and education among the Madia Gond.
Bharat Jodo Abhiyan: A nationwide campaign led by Baba Amte to promote social unity across India. The campaign carried his activism from local rehabilitation into a call for national solidarity.
Leprosarium: An institution historically used to isolate and care for people with leprosy. Anandwan’s community model contrasted with institutions organized primarily around separation.