Baba Amte's funeral to be held today

Chandrapur (Maharashtra), Feb 10 : The mortal remains of noted social activist and Magsaysay award winner, Murlidhar Devidas Amte, fondly known as Baba Amte, will be laid to rest today.

Amte, 94, breathed his last around 4:15 a.m. on February 9 at his "Anandvan Ashram" in Warora taluka of Chandrapur District in Maharashtra.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and host of other ministers and social activists, including Medha Patkar, will be attending the funeral.

One of the country's most respected social leaders, Amte devoted his life to the care and rehabilitation of leprosy patients.

He is survived by two sons and a daughter.

President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had expressed their condolences over his death, describing him as a "saint" and a "true Gandhian" who committed his life to the welfare of the destitute.

Born on 26th December 1914 in Wardha district of Maharashtra, Amte participated in the freedom struggle against the British Empire.

ANI