Damodar Ganesh Bapat (1934 or 1935 – 17 August 2019)[1] was an Indian social worker known for his service to the leprosy patients at Bhartiya Kushta Nivarak Sangh (BKNS) in Janjgir–Champa district, Chhattisgarh, India. In 2018, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, in recognition of his social work.
Damodar Ganesh Bapat | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1934 or 1935 Pathrot, Maharashtra, British India |
| Died | 17 August 2019 (aged 83–84) Chhattisgarh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Occupation | social worker |
| Organization | Bhartiya Kushta Nivarak Sangh |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
Early life
editBapat was born in the Pathrot village in Amravati district in Maharashtra, India in 1934 or 1935. He completed his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce degrees from Nagpur.[2] After completing his studies, he worked at several places. He was not happy with his jobs and was interested in social work.[2][3]
Social work
editIn 1970, he moved to Jashpur, in Chhattisgarh, and started volunteering with Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram which works in rural areas in India.[4] Initially he worked there as a teacher for the tribal children.[3] While teaching he also met leprosy patients and remained there to serve them throughout his life.[3]
He came in contact with Sadashiv Katre who had founded a community in 1962, named Bharatiya Kushtha Nivarak Sangh (BKNS) at village Sothi located 8 kilometres (5 mi) from Champa, to care for leprosy patients.[3] Bapat along with Katre worked together to cure the leprosy patients as well as their social and financial rehabilitation.[5] In 1975, Bapat was appointed the secretary of Bharatiya Kushtha Nivarak Sangh, and its growth thereafter is credited to him.[6] From 1972 until his death in 2019, he served leprosy patients.[4][6] He also worked to improve public awareness about leprosy.[3] Dainik Jagran reported in 2019 that he had improved the lives of an estimated 26,000 leprosy patients.[5]
Awards
editIn 2018, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in recognition of his social work.[7] On 12 September 2006, he was awarded the Devi Ahilyabai National Award.[6]
Death
editIn July 2019, Bapat suffered a brain hemorrhage after which he was admitted to a Hospital in Bilaspur.[8] He died on 17 August 2019 at 2:35 a.m. at a hospital in Chhattisgarh at the age of 84 years.[1] He donated his body to Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences, Bilaspur for research purposes.[3]
The Governor of Chhattisgarh, Anusuiya Uikey and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel condoled his death appreciating his work in serving leprosy patients.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b "Padma Shri Awardee Damodar Ganesh Bapat Dies At 84". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ a b "इन्होने जीवनभर की कुष्ठरोगियों की सेवा, मृत्यु के बाद शरीर भी कर गए इस दुनिया को दान, जानिये कौन थे पद्मश्री बापट जी". www.patrika.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 26 August 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f "पद्मश्री दामोदर गणेश बापट का निधन, कुष्ठ रोगियों के लिए समर्पित था पूरा जीवन". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 17 August 2019. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ a b "Being born in Bharat is biggest award for leprosy crusader Padma Shri Damodar Ganesh Bapat". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ a b "नहीं रहे कुष्ठ रोगियों की जिंदगी सवांरने वाले पद्माश्री दामोहर गणेश बापट, पढ़ें उनके जीवन की कहानी". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 18 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ a b c "Damodar Bapat: A life less ordinary". Hindustan Times. 12 September 2006. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ "Padma Awards 2018: Here Is The Full List Of Awardees". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Padma Shri awardee Damodar Ganesh Bapat dies in C'garh". Press Trust of India. 17 August 2019. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019 – via Business Standard.