Dr Krishna Ella living by values of Baba Amte

 

 

“I came to Warora pursuing education in agriculture in 1973. I got admission in Anand Niketan College of Agriculture. I learned the valuable lessons of importance of hard work and resilience here. Since then, I have never looked back in life,” said Dr Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech. Recipient of Padma Bhushan Dr Krishna Ella recently attended the 75th year celebration of Maharogi Sewa Samiti (MSS) in Warora. He expressed his delight for being invited for 75th anniversary of MSS celebration.

 

He shared fond memories of his experiences at the college, including his time working with the late Baba Amte. He said, “The great humanitarian Baba Amte would visit the college and work with students. I would pluck tomatoes with him. Those glorious days are still alive in my memories. There was a well in our college premises where we used to fetch water. The water was a bit unpurified and we used to purify it by pouring dettol and then use it for bathing. This was a lesson of hardship and strength we were taught. Relishing the tasty aloo bondas with curry and jalebi served at a canteen near the railway station was always a treat for me.

 

We always emphasized on eating local, seasonal and indigenous fruits and vegetables. However, the young generation of today has a different taste.” Dr Ella showed his deep gratitude towards his gurus (former teachers), Dr Prabhakar Shelgaonkar, former Principal of Anand Niketan College of Agriculture, and Prof Balwant Chandore. Dr Ella immediately touched their feet and sought their blessings. The teachers reminded him of his generosity as an alumni when 4,000 vials of Co-Vaccine reached Anandwan.

 

A number of differently disabled persons were suffering from multiple ailments. In such crucial times, Ella’s vaccine served as water in the oasis. Dr Ella donated Rs 50 lakh to MSS which shows his sensitivity towards the downtrodden. He is a towering personality and yet so grounded. Baba’s ideas and theories were considered to be utopian. They are now being realised thanks to the generous contributions of Dr Ella.