“Not working for the people but with them”

You have received many national and international honours. What does Magsaysay award mean to you?
The award gave us a lot of exposure. It was a grand function having around 1500 audience from all over the world. Since we have been working silently for 35 years the sudden exposure was a little embarrassing for us. We are not used to such attention. After Magsaysay, we have got some more awards from within the country. I believe the award has brought our work in the limelight. Visitors from India and abroad have been pouring in since then and this has translated into financial help as well. Overall, it has been an overwhelming experience for all of us.

Tell us a little about Lok Biradari Prakalp (LBP) and your earliest memories about the organisation.
Baba started this Prakalp in a small hut at Hemalkasa, a primitive tribal area in Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra in December 1973. The main tribe here is known as Madia. I was doing my post-graduation in Nagpur then. I left it midway to join Baba in March 1974. My wife, who was working as a lecturer in Anesthesia in Government Ayurvedic College in Nagpur, too resigned from her job and joined me there.
The government gave us forest land and we constructed a hut there to provide medical facilities to tribals. Though we were all geared up, not even one person turned up to seek our help. We then realised that the tribals had never come across modern medical treatments earlier and they had no faith in civilised people. To gain their confidence we learnt their dialect first and then started moving from village to village communicating with the villagers and striking a rapport with them. During the process we found out about their health problems and the chronic patients there. Slowly, realising the importance of modern medicine they started trusting us. Some patients, who were about to die, recovered with our medicines and that was the turning point. It took us almost two years to reach this stage. Then patients started pouring in not only from nearby areas but from far off places as well. In the initial stages of the project, the villagers used to bring patients on a bamboo stretcher or on their shoulders from long distances.
Our initial plan was to provide only health services to the tribals but then they started coming to us with other problems such as exploitation of labour etc. They were superstitious, practised witchcraft and even human sacrifices. Literacy rate among them was zero. So we decided to start a school here in July 1976. Though initially we got 25 students, about half of them ran away mid way but slowly, their numbers began to rise and today around 600-650 students study in our school. One of the students of our first batch is a gynaecologist. After completing his education, he returned to serve his people. Many of our students have become doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, nurses, anganwadi teachers, etc.
Another activity that we have undertaken is to provide training to the youth in farming. We also have an animal orphanage here.

Baba Amte was synonymous with Prakalp but after his death, the responsibility fell on you. Were there any fears as to how to go ahead without him?
Baba had left the day to day administration long ago. He was touring around the country for many other causes such as Narmada Bachao Andolan, etc. In his absence we continued the work. Baba was very pleased with the way the work was going on and what made him happier was the involvement of the third generation in his work.

What differences do you see in Hemalkasa of now and then? What, according to you is the most significant reform brought about by the organisation?
I think education has been of big help to the tribals. Today I see a lot more awareness in them about their rights because of which exploitation has reduced. Earlier this region was totally neglected by the government. There were no bridges or roads. But because of LBP, government has built roads, provided electricity, installed telephones, and there is some semblance of infrastructure.

You must have seen the hardships that Baba Amte underwent while working here. Were you apprehensive about following your father’s footsteps?
Not at all. The work itself was so inspiring that there was no scope for any doubts. Today, when I look back, I feel the experience was rewarding.

Your children too have joined you. Do any other doctors or other professionals come to you offering to work here? Can you share with us the work of some such youngsters?
Most of those who studied here have come back to help their own people. Besides, many other doctors from far away places too come here to volunteer their services. We also refer patients to hospitals in Nagpur where doctors treat them for free. These doctors have taken inspiration from our project and replicate our work in other places. A few foreigners have also volunteered with us.

Your wife, Dr. Mandakini, has been a strong supporter and a partner in your work. How has the journey been with her?
She has been a true supporter. Though all her relatives were in Mumbai, Nagpur or abroad, she came with me to this remote place where there was no electricity or any other amenities. She never complained about anything. Imagine a newly wed girl who was born and brought up in urban area moving to a remote place where there is not even much privacy. There were no doors in the houses but only curtains where we lived. She endured it all and has been a guiding force of the project. Now we feel so proud that our children too have joined us and are enthusiastically carrying our work further.

Though many economists claim India is on a road to progress, problems such as poverty, unemployment, ignorance, illiteracy, communal hatred etc., still persist after 61 years of independence. What do you think is the reason and what is the solution?
There is too much corruption in our country which is the root cause of all the problems. The government has enough money and there are good policies too for the poor but the truth is that the money does not reach the needy or for whom it is sanctioned. It is true of all the sectors, be it employment or education. Things will improve only when corruption is checked. People need to be more aware of their rights. They need to put pressure on the government and the bureaucrats to make things happen and make them accountable. Only then will problems cease. It is a slow process but I am sure, it will happen one day.

It is now mandatory for young medical graduates to serve in rural areas. What is your opinion on this?
The students need to be sensitised to the problems of the poor and the downtrodden. Only then there is a purpose of their serving in rural areas. Otherwise they come and go. There is no actual dedication to the work. Compulsorily pushing them to work in rural areas will not bring any commitment or serve the purpose.

How do you look at the social work scenario in India? How much do you think is genuine work?
Today social work is considered to be a profession. To serve the society, to serve the downtrodden, you have to live with them in the same condition that they are in. Only then will you be able to understand their problems and conditions and only then you will be able to bring about a change. There are some who lead a luxurious life and then claim to help people. It cannot happen in this way. Social wok is not working for the people but working with them. n

  Contact the Writer