‘Venuputra’ Sunil Deshpande passes away

 

 

 

One of the most prominent social workers -- Sunil Gunwantrao Deshpande, popularly known as ‘Venuputra’ -- breathed his last in a private hospital in Nagpur on Wednesday late night. The founder of Melghat-based Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra was 57. Sunil Deshpande is survived by his mother, wife Dr Nirupama, daughter Mugdha, and a large family of social workers he created over the years. The last rites were performed at Ambazari ghat. A host of dignitaries including political leaders, social workers, and conservationists condoled the demise of Deshpande. Recently, Gondwana University had announced DLitt to him.

 

At young age, he worked with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and was known as an effective orator. Inspired by architect Vinu Kale, Deshpande chose to dedicate his life to the cause of tribal welfare through bamboo artisanship. After doing MSW, he took the plunge into social work. He first worked for some years in Bihar with Mahesh Sharma. Later, on he put in some years of field work in Chitrakoot project of ‘Bharat Ratna’ Nanaji Deshmukh. After taking a closer look at the ground realities, he then chose to work in the highly backward area of Melghat in Amravati district of Vidarbha region. Meanwhile, a young Sunil got married to Nirupama. The dedicated couple started their social work from a small hut at remote village Lawada in Melghat.

 

Disturbed by the tag of ‘malnutrition hub’ attached to Melghat, Deshpande couple decided to convert the traditional skills of Melghat tribals into a tool for their upliftment. Soon, Sunil Deshpande registered an organisation by the name Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra and started imparting bamboo artisanship training to the tribals. Gradually, it picked up and the tribals started earning livelihood through their skills. Thanks to his efforts, bamboo proved to be a boon for the tribals. He was instrumental in getting pan-India recognition to bamboo art from Melghat. Under his guidance, tribal women made Rakhis with brand name ‘Srushtibandh’. In 2018, the women from Melghat tied ‘Srushtibandh’ Rakhi on the wrist of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apart from bamboo artisanship, Sunil Deshpande made a tremendous contribution to creating a pan-India network of artisans.

 

Dr Ravindra Sharma from Adilabad provided a philosophical basis to his work. Under the banner of Karigar Panchayat, Deshpande took up ‘Hunar Khoj Yatra’ across the country, created a network of artisans, and organised exhibition of their art-works. A man bubbling with ideas, Deshpande also started ‘Gram Gyanpeeth’ at village Kotha near Harisal in Melghat. Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, performed bhoomipujan of this project in 2012. Since 2015, Deshpande started conducting ‘Sipna Shodh Yatra’ in December every year through which youngsters could explore tribal life. With his efforts, bamboo got approved as engineering material. He trained tribals in constructing bamboo houses.

 

The volunteers of Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra later made houses in Bhuj (Gujarat) after the massive earthquake that hit the place. Gadkari, Fadnavis condole Sunil Deshpande’s demise Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and MSMEs; and Devendra Fadnavis, former Chief Minister and presently Leader of Opposition (Assembly), condoled the untimely demise of Sunil Deshpande. Gadkari stated that Sunil Deshpande, a senior worker of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and dedicated social worker, had devoted his life to the cause of upliftment of tribals of Melghat. “Deshpande’s projects including Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra and Gram Gyanpeeth have been pioneering ones. His work will continue to guide the society,” he added. “The demise of Sunil Deshpande has cast a spell of shock and grief over all of us. His contribution to the upliftment of tribals through various projects including Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra, Sipna Shodh Yatra, Gram Gyanpeeth is unparalleled,” Fadnavis stated in a condolence message. His demise is an irreparable loss to the society, he added. Unfortunate and shocking: Sunil Joshi Sunil Joshi, National Governing Council Member of Bamboo Society of India (BSI) and former Chairman of BSI’s Maharashtra Chapter, expressed shock and grief over untimely demise of Sunil Deshpande. Joshi and Deshpande both have been contemporaries in promoting the cause of bamboo. “We have lost a good organiser working in tribal area with passion. Sunil Deshpande was a humble, committed man.

 

His untimely demise is very unfortunate and shocking,” Joshi told ‘The Hitavada’ over telephone. Joshi and Deshpande both furthered the cause of bamboo, inspired by architect Vinu Kale. Joshi recalled, “Sunil (Deshpande) connected bamboo with society. He used bamboo as a tool for development of tribals. ‘Gram Gyanpeeth’ is one of his excellent ideas. He has done great work. He took forward Karigar Panchayat. I was surprised when he first told me that he had chosen a remote place like Lawada as his workplace. But, he was always bubbling with ideas and had great organisational skills. I visited his project regularly. His work is unparalleled.” Deshpande’s untimely demise has caused a great loss to the cause of tribals from Melghat and artisans. He was devoted, and was devoid of ego. He was a selfless man, and was among the most prominent social workers in the country, Joshi added.