Consider the honey-bee. Its treasure is nectar, obtained even from the chilly plant. It is not at the cost of the flower. In fact, its act of extracting honey contributes to the progress of the flowers. You need not learn from Kahlil Gibran, Marx or Gorbachev, not even from Gandhiji. Choose instead to learn your lesson from the honey bees as your silent partners: they will show you how to develop without destroying.

Dr Murlidhar Devidas Amte (December 26, 1914 – February 9, 2008) was a highly dedicated Indian social worker for the cause of rehabilitation and empowerment of poor people, particularly those suffering from leprosy. He gave up all his luxurious way of living. He gave up his wealth and established three ashrams for treatment and rehabilitation of leprosy patients, disabled people, and people from marginalized sections of the society in Maharashtra, India, of which Anandwan was the precursor. He also adopted non-violent means to fight the Indian government for independence, along with Mahatma Gandhi, and was also imprisoned in the 1942 Quit India movement. He was the recipient of many international and national awards of which the most prominent are: The Ramon Magsaysay Award; the Padma Vibhushan, the highest civilian honour of the Government of India; and the Gandhi Peace Prize.