Isliye rah sangharsh ki ham chune/Zindagi ansuon me nahae nahin/Shaam sehmi na ho, raat ho na dari/Bhor ki ankh phir dabdabai na ho (We must choose the path of struggle, so life shouldn't get drowned in tears. The evening shouldn't get enveloped by awe and night shouldn't be fearful. And the dawn shouldn't crack with tears welled up in its eyes)

Even as an emotionally overwhelmed Medha Patkar wiped her tears to sing the lines in chorus with a group of activists, people stopped and listened. “Haath lage nirman me, nahi marane, nahi mangane (let's use our hands to create, not beg or beat). Bharat Jodo, Bharat Jodo (Knit India),” she called out. People raised their fists in air and echoed it.

They were paying tribute to a legendary man who had epitomised the thoughts in his lifetime near the place where he was laid to rest. Baba Amte was cremated on Sunday with full state honours where he had started his extraordinary life as a messiah of the poor and the ostracised.

Amte died of leukemia on Saturday at the age of 93.

In attendance were Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, some of his Cabinet colleagues, distinguished people from all walks of life, and, of course, thousands of his admirers and followers.

Earlier, when vehicle carrying Amte’s body was taken through the main streets of Anandwan, surging crowds jostled with each other to walk along, chanting Bharat Jodo, Bharat Jodo in chorus with Baba's family members.

And when the body was lowered into the burial pit, they gave way to tears.

... contd.