By IANS
Warora (Maharashtra) : Eminent social worker Murlidhar Devidas Amte, popularly known as Baba Amte, died Saturday at his Anandvan ashram here. He was 94 years old.
The world-renowned leprosy worker had been suffering from blood cancer since the last six months and was being kept on life support system. He died at 4.15 a.m., his son Vikas told IANS.
Baba Amte is survived by his wife Sadhana and sons Vikas and Prakash. His funeral will be held Sunday.
A recipient of several national and international awards, including the Magsaysay, Padma Shree and Padma Vibhushan, Baba Amte established his leprosy rehabilitation centre at Anandvan in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra in 1951.
The Gandhian held the nationwide Bharat Jodo campaign from December 1985 to April 1986 to promote peace and unite people across the country.
The social worker was also famous for his environmental crusades, particularly the campaign against the building of the Narmada dam.