| The
Sacred 'Mantra' Karve had devoted his
entire life to the service of others. The government and several institutions expressed
the gratitude of the people of India in several ways. The Benares Hindu University and the
Women's University honored him by conferring the degree of Doctor of Literature on him.
The Government of India decorated him with the title of 'Padma Vibhushan' in 1955.
The Maharshi's 95th birthday fell on 18th April 1953. On
that day, in an inaugural address of ten minutes to the Maharashtra Social Conference, the
Maharshi said:
"March forward- bravely to remove social differences
and to establish social equality.
In 1958 his hundredth birthday was celebrated with great
jubilation. A postage stamp was issued with his picture. The same year the highest title,
any citizen, of India can receive, the 'Bharat Ratna', was awarded by the President of
India. The country showed its gratitude and honored him in every possible way.
Karve passed away on 9th November 1962. He said on his
deathbed:
"If Swarajya (or self-government) is to lead to the
welfare state, there is one ‘mantra' (sacred utterance) - a mantra proclaimed
in our ancient writings, the mantra of the consideration for the good of all." |
