Hi Friends
We all must have seen TV program called “ Indian Idol “. The whole country gave lot of fame and money to the singers who imitated songs of Hindi cinema.
Can the dancing and singing persons alone be the idols of Indian youth ? Who are the “ real idols” ? Where are they ?These are the questions that initiated the research by “ Unique Features” a famous media company in Maharashtra.
The information about the life and works of such 25 idols is published in a book “ KHARE KHURE IDOLS “ ( Real Idols ) by Samkalin Prakashan.
From today onwards every day we will see one such idol and get introduced to their work for the society.
First Idol
Dr Manda and Dr. Prakash Amte
What they have done ?
Both Prakash and Manda have been working for last 36 years in the remote place called Hemalkasa in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.
They brought in change in the life of Madia Adiwasis by laying foundation in the field of basic healthcare and education.
How they did
Prakash and Manda started their life in the dense forest of Hemalkasa in 1974. Poverty, half-naked adiwasis and total adverse conditions were the only companions.
There would be no chapattis or vegetable to eat. Only rice with whatever is available, at times only with water!!
The Madia language was unknown to them so they could not communicate with adiwasis. There was no electricity , so entire night would be spent with darkness and hot atmosphere. There were no phones nor newspapers , so they were totally cut off from the world. Every year there is flood that would cut them off from the rest of the world for 5 months.
In such adverse conditions they stayed in a hut for one year. They would be waiting for the patients to come to their dispensary. But due to superstitions and some selfish priests, adiwasis never turned to them.
After such a patience and courage they slowly started getting patients. Prakash and Manda cured the adiwasis from Fire burns that they used to have as the adiwasis had to sleep half-naked between very closely lit up fire in the five degree temperature during winter. Both cured them from brain malaria which is a common disease that happens due to special type of mosquitoes.
Now patients from long distance in Gadchiroli, Baster district if chattisgarh and some part of Andhra Pradesh come to the dispensary for treatment . Everyday 200 to 250 patients take treatment.
In last 33 years 7 to 8 lakh adiwasis have taken treatment and got cured.
Prakash and Manda learnt to speak Madia language and now they are experts!!
This was not enough for them !!!!
In 1976 , they started residential school for adiwasi children. The experience was the same as they had while starting dispensary. No one would send their children to school. They literally went from door to door and tried to convince the adiwasis . With such hard work they collected 25 students for first year. It was great tension for them regarding safety of children when the children used to run away from the school. The social workers used to run behind them till home to watch out. So after dropouts only 15 students remained at the end of year.
This struggle of this couple made the first doctor from adiwasis , first lawyer from adiwasis. 150 teachers and many got job in forest department that made the upliftment of their livelihood. The most important impact of their education is that 90 percent of the educated come back to Gadchiroli.
Today there are 650 children learning.
In this passage of life in the forest, both Prakash and Manda got united with nature and animals. Dr.Prakash easily plays with snakes , bears , monkeys and even tiger. Because of the visitors coming to see the project , these animals are kept in cages otherwise no need as they are so friendly with Doctors.
Such a courageous man and his wife whose entire family , two sons and their wives also are involved in this YAGNYA ( Endeavour) for upliftment of adiwasis .
Their efforts are recognized by “ Magsese award “ and many more.
They say
“ This brings them Happiness, satisfaction and contentment.“
What a Life !!!!!
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