Dr. Shivajirao Ganesh Patwardhan
A commemorative postage stamp on Dajisaheb Shivajirao Patwardhan, founder of Vidarbha Maharogi Seva Mandal (Tapovan) :
Issued by India
Issued on Dec 28, 2017
Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Dr. Shivajirao Ganesh Patwardhan.
Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma
Type : Stamp, Mint Condition
Colour : Multi Colour
Denomination : 500 Paise
Stamps Printed : 600225
Printing Process : Wet Offset
Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
Name : Shivajirao Ganesh Patwardhan
Born on 28 Dec, 1892 at Asangi, Karnataka, India
Died on 7 May, 1986
About :
- Dr. Shivajirao Ganesh Patwardhan, who devoted his entire life for the upliftment of leprosy patients, was born on 28th December 1892 in a small village Assangi of Jamkhandi District in Karnataka. He lost his parents in his childhood and therefore he left the place with his sister. He completed his pre college education at Pune in 1914. He received Diploma in Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery Degree from Kolkata on completion of his education. He spent 18 months working for the Ramkrishna Mission.
- In Pune, he came in contact with leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar & Mahatma Gandhi and got involved in the Freedom Movement. He participated in Salt Agitation and Quit India movement. He was put in Shivani Jail. He came to Amravati (Maharashtra) in 1917 & made it his work place.
- In his opinion treatment of disease was more important than its cure. He accepted the work of relief and rehabilitation of leprosy patients in 1946. He started Vidarbha Maharogi Seva Mandal on 26th September 1950 and obtained 450 acres of land from donors. It was inaugurated by Shri Vinoba Bhave. It is known as Tapovan today and is situated at Amravati, Maharashtra. The institute is devoted to the treatment of leprosy & rehabilitation of leprosy patients.
- Earlier leprosy was considered as incurable disease and the persons affected by leprosy were forced to live away from the public eye. Dr. Patwardhan was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s approach to this problem and started rehabilitating leprosy patients in Tapovan. In 1947 he explained the nature of work in Tapovan to Gandhiji in Sevagram. Gandhiji suggested him to start rehabilitation work along with treatment of leprosy affected persons & also create self confidence in them.
- In those days Tapovan was the only organization working in the field of leprosy. Due to the work carried out in Tapovan the number of patients increased. At present there is facility to admit 750 patients at a time which involves free treatment as well as post treatment rehabilitation.
- Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation, a pioneering organisation established in 1951 in the field of leprosy in India, instituted the award titled “International Gandhi Award” in 1986. Vidarbha Maharogi Seva Mandal, Tapovan was awarded with the International Gandhi Award for 2009 in recognition of their distinguished services.
- Government of India honored Shri Shivajirao Ganesh Patwardhan by conferring on him Padma Shri Award in 1959. Shri Patwardhan was never interested in publicity. He passed away on 7th May, 1986. Anti Leprosy Day is celebrated every year on 30th January. The pioneering work done by Dr. Patwardhan in the field of leprosy treatment will remain a beacon of inspiration for all.
- Text : Based on the material received from proponent.
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