Osianama’s rare discussion with Dr Prakash and Mandakini Amte

As part of the ongoing international festival, Animal-Human- Nature Continuum, Osianama organized a Masterclass on The Nature of Animal-Human Bond with the philanthropist couple Dr.Prakash Baba Amte and Dr.Mandakini Amte in conversation with Neville Tuli, Chairman – The Osian’s Group. The Masterclass was on 21st August, from 6 pm at Osianama at Liberty, Marine Lines.

This conversation with Neville Tuli at Osianama was one of the rare times Dr Prakash and Mandakini Amte spoke about their mission in life, something they inherited from Baba Amte. 

The Masterclass focused on Dr. Prakash Baba Amte’s challenging journey who devoted his life towards the development and upliftment of the tribal people in Hemalkasa who have not been touched by modern civilization. Dr. Prakash Baba Amte also shared about how people have imaginary fear about naxalites in Gadchiroli and how they survived for 20 years without electricity.

Dr Prakash Baba Amte and his wife Dr. Mandakini Amte run a school and a hospital at Hemalkasa village in the underprivileged district of Gadchiroli in Maharashtra where people belong to the Madia Gond tribe. His wife Mandakini Amte runs a hospital, a school, and an orphanage for injured wild animals, including a lion and some leopards. Their two sons, Dr. Digant and Aniket have also dedicated their lives to the same causes as their parents.

At the Masterclass, delving on the Nature of Animal-Human Bond, Dr Prakash Amte spoke on how we can change the perception of people towards animals, he said “People have a wrong perception about animals; people should be exposed to the atmosphere of animal habitat, and whatever they read or hear in life about animals their perception will change when they see the relationship between me and my leopard. Love is the only key to attract any soul”.

Added director Samruddhi Porey was also present at the masterclass speaking on her inspiration to make the Marathi biopic Dr. Prakash Amte: The Real Hero. “Many people questioned me about why I chose to make a film on this subject. I wanted people to know about the challenging life of Dr. Prakash Baba Amte, they are working anonymously from the last 45 years for the upliftment of tribals and I wanted to spread this message across through my film inspiring the entire world.”                                             Narad