End social discrimination to end Naxal menace: Prakash Amte

Getting rid of discrimination in society is the key to end the menace of Naxalism, noted social activist Dr Prakash Amte said on Monday.

Speaking on the first anniversary of the Subhedar Wada Katta at Kalyan in the district, Dr Amte called upon sincere and serious efforts by the government in this regard and also said there is a need for change in the psychology of the government machinery while addressing Naxalism.

“The fruits of development are yet to reach Hemalkasa (a village in Gadchiroli district where Anandvan is located) even today, which is an outcome of the bureaucratic mindset as the officers still consider their transfer to the backward regions as a punishment,” said Dr Amte, who was accompanied by his wife Dr Mandakini Amte.

The couple had received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 2008. “We served the tribal patients with a social cause with limited financial resources. Later on, financial help from the urban and upper spectra of the society, made it possible for us to serve tribals,” Dr Amte added.

Proceeds from the Katta event were handed over to Dr Amte for the drought-affected area. MP Kapil Patil, Katta president Deepak Joshi and Kalyan-Dombivali mayor Rajendra Deolekar were present on the occasion.