Generally, the world recognizes and honours people who put others’ interests above their own: commonly known as sacrifice and philanthropy. Now don’t get me (cynically) started on all those noble NGOs who garner funds apparently to promote this or that cause…

I’m sure most Indians have heard of Baba Amte, now about 90 years old, who runs an ashram entitled, Anandvan Ashram in Maharashtra, which houses, cares for, and provides treatment to leprosy patients.

I know very little about this noble soul, and all that I have heard about him are good things. It reminds me of some moving lines from Gray’s poem, … Churchyard

Let not Ambition mock their useful toil,
Their homely joys, and destiny obscure;
Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile,
The short and simple annals of the poor.

The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave,
Awaits alike the inevitable hour.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire;
Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed,
Or waked to ecstasy the living lyre.

Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
Some village-Hampden, that with dauntless breast
The little tyrant of his fields withstood;
Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest,
Some Cromwell guiltless of his country’s blood.

Thus has lived Baba Amte, almost alone, caring for no prizes, grants, or awards. To my knowledge, he has not made a show of his philanthropy. But what option does he have but fast unto death when an insensitive government which is generous with promises and woefully inept at not delivering them, turns a blind eye and a deaf ear?

But of course, the grants would be more than forthcoming–and immediately at that–if he was someone like (the late) Mother Theresa, the only Guardian Angel and Saviour of leprosy patients.