Baba Amte a saint: Maharashtra governor

Maharashtra Governor SM Krishna on Saturday condoled the death of eminent social worker Baba Amte, describing him as a "saint" and social reformer who restored dignity and self-respect to leprosy victims.

In a message to his son Vikas Amte, the governor said that Baba Amte belonged to the shining traditions of Vidarbha's social reformers and saints that included Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Maharaj and Sant Gadge Baba among others.

Baba Amte dedicated his entire life to the cause of restoring dignity to leprosy victims and enabled them to earn their own livelihood.

"Through his 'Bharat Jodo Abhiyan', Baba Amte aroused the consciousness of people to work for the unity of the nation. Carrying forward his mission to serve people would be a real tribute to Baba Amte," Krishna said in a statement here.

Baba Amte's nationwide campaign from December 1985 to April 1986 aimed at promoting peace and uniting people across the country.

Baba Amte died Saturday at his Anandvan ashram in Mumbai. The 94-year-old had been suffering from blood cancer since the last six months and was being kept on life support system.