Creative Humanism - An Interview with Dr Vikas Amte and Gautam Karajgi about Anandwan

In this show we are privileged to have Dr. Vikas Amte, son of late Sh. Baba Amte. Baba Amte setup Anandwan in 1951 to help patients of leprosy on the outskirts of Warora in Chandrapur district in Maharashtra. He transformed a barren piece of land into an oasis which today shelters about 2500 people with severe disabilities, leprosy survivors, and other destitute people who are looking for a better life. Dr. Vikas Amte along with Mr. Gautam Karajgi are travelling to the USA to spread awareness about the excellent work done by the residents of the Anandwan, and tell the world the story of success and enterprise of the people who were once forgotten by all. These people not only changed their own lives but now provide a model which can be used to transform rural India, as well as the lives of other downtrodden people, so that they can move from being forgotten to being indispensable. Dr. Amte will turn 70 years old next month and his life story is intertwined with the history of independent India and one of the biggest social enterprise to cure, and rehabilitate countless people suffering from leprosy. This is also story of a tireless quest for those who lost their beauty for no fault of their own but they prevailed to create something beautiful and share it with the world. Dr. Amte and Gautam are here in USA to accept an award for the “most innovative project at the village level” from the American association of energy engineers as well as spread their vision of “smart Villages. More information about Anandwan can be found at www.anandwan.in.