THOUGH the Maharogi Sewa Samiti (MSS) founded by eminent social worker late Baba Amte is celebrating 75 years of its coming into being, the younger generation has come up with a proposed vision for the next 25 years. Ranging from research and innovation to environment and incubation, the proposals aim at redefining the social role of MSS in its journey towards centenary. In a session on Saturday, Kaustubh Vikas Amte spoke elaborately about these proposals. According to him, MSS proposes to convert its projects into hubs of skill development, research and innovation, environment, incubation, scientific training, creativity, health, and education. “This is just a vision. We believe in dynamism. Everything cannot be planned. For, life throws newer situations and challenges seeking our response,” he added. Contd from page 1 Justice Alok Aradhye, Chief Justice of Bombay High Court; Justice Nitin Sambre of Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court and Senior Administrative Judge; Justice Anil Pansare of Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court and Guardian Judge of Chandrapur; Ram Naik, former Governor, Uttar Pradesh; Dr Vikas Amte, Secretary of MSS; and Dr Prakash Amte, Assistant Secretary of MSS, also shared the dais on this occasion.Justice Gavai said that late Baba Amte witnessed leprosy patients in distress and resolved to work for them. He initiated a rehabilitation centre for the destitutes and today it has become a massive movement. Today, MSS is working on numerous key issues in the society including health, environment and education. Its work for differently-abled persons is noteworthy.

 

“Today, we see the third generation of the Amte family rendering services to weaker sections of the society and it’s a good sign”, added Justice Gavai. Speaking on the occasion, Justice Alok Aradhye applauded various projects being carried out by MSS and involvement of the Amtes. Late Baba initiated work with a paltry sum of Rs 14 and today it has grown into an umbrella organisation. Still, there is a need of leprosy eradication and increasing awareness about it, he added. Earlier, the dignitaries unveiled the ‘Oasis of Altruism’ monument, an inaugurated exhibition that captured MSS’ rich humanitarian journey from sympathy to empathy over the decades. Tree plantation programme and a grand ‘Vriksha Dindi’ also were organised. The students of Anandwan Blind School presented a welcome song. At the outset, in his introductory remarks, Kaustubh Vikas Amte unfolded 75 years’ profound journey of MSS, challenges and achievements. Prof Mokshada Manohar and Radha Sawane conducted the proceedings. A large number of Anandwan inmates, noted activists from social and various fields across the country and others attended the function in large numbers. MSS’ vision for next 25 years Contd from page 1 Prakash Apte, former Chairman of Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd; Ravi Pandit, Founder and Chairman of KPIT Technologies; Sarang Sathaye, Founder of BhaDiPa and social media influencer; Paula McGlin, Co-founder of BhaDiPa; Omkar Jadhav and Shardul Kadam of Amuk Tamuk Podcast; G Narayanswamy, retired Indian Revenue Service officer, shared the dais on this occasion.

 

Each of them launched several of the proposals of the MSS as ‘resolve for the future’. One of the proposals is a state-of-the-art Infrastructure Research and Innovation Hub under which material and load testing laboratories are proposed to be set up, where hands-on training will be provided with focus on entrepreneurship development. Envisioning MSS as Education Capital, Kaustubh Amte moved a proposal for establishing ‘Nijbal Vishwa Vidyapeeth’ (university) for inclusive development with emphasis on enhancing higher education and vocational opportunities for differently-abled youth. Another proposal is to recondition MSS as ‘Environment Capital’ visualising Somnath project of MSS as ‘Eco-Society’ which will focus on ethically revitalising Nature to modernise revenue streams and creating sustainable alternatives to traditional resources. At Somnath project, a Scientific Training Centre is proposed to be established.

 

As per the vision, this centre will concentrate on Permaculture and groundwater conservation at Somnath, and direct interventions across the country through a location-specific and need-based approach. One more component of the vision for the next 25 years is to shape MSS as ‘Incubation Capital’ with an intent to ‘create a compassionate social order’. To further the commitment of Baba Amte to creative humanism, MSS is proposed to be developed into ‘Creativity Capital’. As far as work in the health sector is concerned, it is proposed to transform the MSS project triad Anandwan-Somnath-Hemalkasa into

 

‘Health Capital’. There is a proposal to provide free healthcare services to differently-abled and economically challenged sections of the society through state-of-the-art multi-specialty hospital. It includes a ‘trace and treat’ model under which a survey will be conducted across India through a ‘wheel to spoke’ approach leading to actionable interventions. The organ donation department of this proposed multi-specialty hospital is proposed to be dedicated in memory of Sheetal Amte-Karajgi. Similarly, the women’s comprehensive healthcare department shall be dedicated in the memory of Dr Shantanu Sharad Abhyankar. Under the ‘Skill Development Capital’ vision, there is a proposal to set up ‘Himmatgram’ or a ‘Village of Courage’ for the hearing and speech impaired. Since late Baba Amte had a firm belief in the importance of education, it is proposed to widen the spectrum of education beyond stereotypes and focus on life skills development and empowering the youth to become self-reliant, identifying correct sources of information in the era of misinformation. All the dignitaries on the dais expressed their thoughts on this occasion and assured all possible co-operation and support for the proposals.