Baba Amte's mortal remains to be laid to rest, not cremated

Nagpur, Feb 9 (UNI) The mortal remains of noted social worker Baba Amte, who passed away early today, will be laid to rest and not cremated, as per his wishes.

Amte's remains would be laid to rest tomorrow inside ''Anandwan Ashram'', which he founded for leprosy patients and made it his home, family sources told UNI. However, the exact spot for the burial had not been identified yet, they said.

Meanwhile, a large number of visitors, including several prominent persons, visited Anandwan Ashram today to pay their last respects to the departed soul.

Among those who offered condolences were Union Minister for Power Sushilkumar Shinde, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Prafull Patel, Maharashtra Minister for Forests Babanrao Pachpute and Minister for Public Works Anil Deshmukh.

Minister for Textiles Satish Chaturvedi, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Guardian Minister for Chandrapur district Anees Ahmed, and noted ornithologist Maruti Chitampalli also condoled Amte's death.

Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar spoke with the family members on telephone. Ms Patkar had met Amte at Anandwan just a week ago, sources added.

Amte passed away at his residence at Warora in Chandrapur district in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra early this morning. He was 94. Amte had been ailing for some time and had recently been diagnosed with blood cancer.

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