Bhiku Ramji Idate

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Bhiku Ramji Idate
Bhiku Ramji Idate (cropped).jpg
Born (1949-06-02) June 2, 1949 (age 75)
OccupationSocial worker
Known forWork for Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes
Awards Padma Shri (2023)

Bhiku Ramji Idate (born 2 June 1949), also known as Dada Idate, is an Indian social worker who was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2023 for his contributions in the field of social work. [1] He is recognized for his extensive work towards the welfare and upliftment of denotified and nomadic tribes in India. [2]

Contents

Early life and career

Born in a village in Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra, [3] Idate began his career as a teacher. However, motivated by the condition of poor nomadic tribes, he left teaching to dedicate himself to social work. [3] He has since worked for over five decades for the socio-economically oppressed communities. [3]

Idate has played a significant role in advocating for the rights and development of denotified and nomadic tribes. He founded the Bhatke Vimukta Vikas Parishad and other organizations focused on these communities. [4] He also established the Savitribai Phule Shikshan Prasarak (SPSP) Mandal in 1992, which has been instrumental in providing educational opportunities through colleges, schools, and hostels in backward areas of Maharashtra. [3] [4]

He chaired the Idate Committee constituted by the Government of Maharashtra in 1999. [3] Later, as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT) in 2015, [5] he made several important recommendations for the upliftment of these communities. [6] [5] He also served as the former chairperson of the Union Development and Welfare Board for Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities. [2]

Idate has written over seven books and is a follower of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideology. [4] [7]

Awards and recognition

Bhiku Ramji Idate has received numerous awards from various institutions and organizations for his social work, including: [4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Padma Awards 2023 announced". Press Information Bureau. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Bhiku Ramji Idate awarded Padma Shri for Social Work - India CSR". 26 January 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Shri Bhiku Ramji Idate - Icon Detailed Description". Drishti IAS. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The President also conferred Padma Shri to Shri Bhiku Ramji Idate in field of Social Work". Ministry of Home Affairs—PIB Mumbai. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) - JournalsOfIndia". 16 February 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  6. ↑ "DNT Commission to submit interim report in two months". The Hindu. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  7. ↑ "Denotified nomadic tribes may come under SC/ST Act". The Indian Express. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2025.