Social activist Baba Adhav, who spoke for unorganised sector, passes away at 95

Pune: Baba Adhav, veteran social activist and a champion of workers in the unorganised sector, passed away on Monday after prolonged illness. He was 95. Age did not wither his activism. Adhav participated in an agitation this Nov, just before he was hospitalised, outside PMC's main building for the rights of hawkers. Last Nov, he was on a three-day hunger strike at Mahatma Phule Wada, demanding fair elections and alleging misuse of EVMs. Born in Pune in 1930, Babasaheb Pandurang Adhav started as an ayurveda doctor in Nana Peth in 1953, but found his calling in working for the rights of porters, unskilled workers, and rickshaw drivers. He founded NGOs like 'Hamal Panchayat' and 'Rickshaw Panchayat' to help them. Adhav steered clear of electoral politics all his life. Over the years, he was honoured for his work with various awards. In 2011, he received The Times of India Social Impact Award for Lifetime Contribution.Prime Minister Narendra Modi led several personalities in paying tribute. He said, "Baba Adhav Ji will be remembered for his efforts to serve society through various causes, notably empowering the marginalised and furthering labour welfare. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers."Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said, "Social activist Baba Adhav set an example of activism with highest integrity. The news of his passing away is extremely heartbreaking. He toiled hard throughout his life for the rights of the socially weaker and deprived section. Baba Adhav brought a ray of hope into the lives of millions of people working in the unorganised sector. He upheld the ideals of Satyashodhak Movement through his action in his entire life. He embodied socialism by practicing it in his real life. Maharashtra's progressive tradition has suffered an immeasurable loss." Adhav married Sheelatai, a Seva Dal activist and a trained nurse. She said in 2011 that their wedding cost Rs 10. She worked in a govt hospital and the household ran on her salary. Adhav had then said, "The railway pass she used to get for me gave ‘non-earning husband' as my job description."He would spend months travelling through remote villages, long hours in protests and refused to be co-opted. He was warm and hospitable to all he met.His activism landed him in jail while protesting against high food prices in 1952. For some years, Adhav balanced his medical practice with social work, but in 1966, he quit the medical profession and dedicated his life to the socialist movement and was jailed over 50 times for agitating against govt over various social issues.His activism landed him in jail while protesting against high food prices in 1952. For some years, Adhav balanced his medical practice with social work, but in 1966, he quit the medical profession and dedicated his life to the socialist movement and was jailed over 50 times for agitating against govt over various social issues.His 'Ek Gaav, Ek Panvatha' (one village, one pond) initiative against social discrimination resonated across the state. Hamal Panchayat gave porters minimum wages and dignity at work and 'Rickshaw Panchayat' stood by auto drivers. His Kasthachi Bhakar, a community kitchen, provides affordable and nutritious meals.He was diagnosed with cancer and was in the ICU in a Pune-based private hospital for nearly two weeks. His close associate and general secretary of Rickshaw Panchayat, Nitin Pawar, said that Adhav passed away at 8.25pm. The activist leaves behind two sons and grandchildren. One of the doctors treating him at the hospital said, "Adhav was admitted with pneumonia which put pressure on his heart, causing significant breathlessness at the time of admission. He was on BiPAP respiratory support, and his kidneys began showing signs of swelling during treatment." Members of the Poona Merchants' Chamber will keep their trading closed on Tuesday as a mark of respect as will the jaggery market. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said, "Baba Adhav brought a ray of hope into the lives of millions of people working in the unorganised sector. He upheld the ideals of Satyashodhak Movement through his action in his entire life. He embodied socialism by practising it in his real life. Maharashtra's progressive tradition has suffered an immeasurable loss."His work brought about several changes in governance. In 1969, Maharashtra govt passed its first social security legislation for unorganised labour, Maharashtra Mathadi Hamal and Other Manual Workers' Act. Nearly 25 years later, Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat, a wastepickers' collective mentored by Adhav was formed in Pune. In 2008, he went to jail for the 53rd time, protesting against high food prices.

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