About Bharatiya Kushtha Niwarak Sangh (BKNS)

Chhattisgarh which is renowned in India as "Dhan ka katora"(Bowl of Rice) has a town Champa-Nagar in Janjgir Champa District. Bhartiya Kushtha Niwarak Sangh, Katre Nagar a place of holy service is situated only 8 kms. away from Champa-Nagar. World's first leprosy cure organization is located have which is established by a great human, honorable Sadashiv Govind Katre, who himself was a leprosy Patient. Katre Ji though came from a very distinguished family and was a Railway official in Jhansi, became a victim of leprosy unfortunately. As leprosy patient, he had to face social boycott, humiliation and mental agony. For the treatment of leprosy, he went to Baitalpur, in a centre run by Christian missionary. There he opposed the act of religious conversion in the pretext of service and was on strike for two months. Katre Ji met second Sar Sanghchalak of RSS honorable Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golvalkar (Shri Guruji), who directed him to initiate leprosy cure service on his own and asked him to meet and work with volunteers (Swayamsevak), Balihar Singh, Chhotelal Swarnkar, Jivanlal Sav, Vaidya Godavarish, who were involved in contact and service work of the disease in leprosy affected areas.

During his stay at Christian Hospital of Baitalpur, Katreji a Sangh Volunteer (Swayamsevak) himself closely observed three main issues. One, religious conversion is being done at the pretext of service. Two, leprosy victim faces such a behavior from society that he is left no other option than begging for his livelihood and he loses his self-esteem completely. Third, leprosy victim always worries that if the family & society, who left him alone during his life, whether they will cremate (Antim Sanskar) his body properly after death or not?

With these bitter experiences and inspired by Shri Guruji, he established "Bhartiya Kushtha Niwarak Sangh" on 5th April 1962 with a noble objective that each leprosy victim must get a self respected life and a honorable death. Though the institution (Sanstha) got established but further path was still more difficult. Fingers of his hands and legs had melted due to the disease and body was also deformed. Public transport was rarely available but being leprosy patient, he was not allowed to sit in the bus. Hence, Katreji learnt cycling at the age of 55. At this age, he started dwelling in Champa and nearby areas. But every divine work has fate to face neglect in the beginning followed by ridicule and then support in the end, likewise Katreji had to face similar situation. When he asked for support from the villages, for money and food, people ridiculed saying, "now-a-days leprosy patients are begging on bicycle". When he visited people in Champa, people used to say that leprosy patients were trying to become smart. But, Shri Sadhram Sav Kesharwani from village Lakhurry donated a house (dharmashala) along with water well for this noble cause, impressed by Katreji's dedication and hard work toward his objective. With this 'Bhartiya Kushtha Niwarak Sangh' came into being serving three patients to start with.

With these bitter experiences and inspired by Shri Guruji, he established "Bhartiya Kushtha Niwarak Sangh" on 5th April 1962 with a noble objective that each leprosy victim must get a self respected life and a honorable death. Though the institution (Sanstha) got established but further path was still more difficult. Fingers of his hands and legs had melted due to the disease and body was also deformed. Public transport was rarely available but being leprosy patient, he was not allowed to sit in the bus. Hence, Katreji learnt cycling at the age of 55. At this age, he started dwelling in Champa and nearby areas. But every divine work has fate to face neglect in the beginning followed by ridicule and then support in the end, likewise Katreji had to face similar situation. When he asked for support from the villages, for money and food, people ridiculed saying, "now-a-days leprosy patients are begging on bicycle". When he visited people in Champa, people used to say that leprosy patients were trying to become smart. But, Shri Sadhram Sav Kesharwani from village Lakhurry donated a house (dharmashala) along with water well for this noble cause, impressed by Katreji's dedication and hard work toward his objective. With this 'Bhartiya Kushtha Niwarak Sangh' came into being serving three patients to start with.

Work flourished with god's grace and in 1963 Katreji wrote a letter to the then President of India Dr. Radhakrishnan Ji, seeking support for this work. In reply, he got help of Rs. One Thousand. In a short period of one year, Katreji was successful in getting cooperation from first citizen of India to the last person. In 1972, Damodar Ganesh Bapatji came here from ‘Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram Jashpur’ and provided sustainability to this Bhagirathi attempt. Bapat ji was a fully healthy person. Arrival of Bapatji resulted in creating a exciting atmosphere that a healthy person was providing service amongst leprosy patients and he did not get affected by the disease. This had a positive effect that the people working in the project started getting seat in the bus and public started drinking water in Katre Nagar

In 1974, Katreji handed over full responsibility of leprosy centre to Bapat Ji and on 16th may 1977,he took his last breath. To realize the dream of late Katreji, Bapat Ji, through his sustained efforts and simple behavior added new well-wishers in the institute, and provided continuity in the monitory support for the work. The stared public campaign for removing confusion about leprosy and was able to inculcate confidence in the inmates of the institute and thus developed dedicated volunteers

At present, treatment is being provided in 20 bed hospital along with lodging and boarding facility to the inmates (ladies and gents both). Apart from this, 300 patients living in the villages are also taking treatment. Free treatment and medication is available here. Physical disability of the patient is also being cured through operation. In this the nearly villagers, mobile hospital is providing treatment.

Institute has 60 acres of agricultural land at present. Approx 1000 quintal rice is being produced in it. Wheat is being produced in 35 acres land. Horticulture is being done in 3 acres land in which various vegetables, garlic, turmeric etc. are being produced over the year. In addition to this, various fruits like banana, orange, blackberry, guava, papaya, lemon, plum, custard apple etc. are also produced. All this is being done by leprosy patients only.

Though his tireless hard work for treatment of leprosy patients, their rehabilitation, self-reliance, public awakening, and establishment & coordination of school, hostel, crèche etc. dedicated to work and service, Sewavratu-Karmayogi-Dehdani Padmashri Dr. Damodar Ganesh Bapatji (Dajiba) expired on 17.08.19. At present, Shri Sudhir Dev is the secretary of institute who is devotedly involved in giving impetus to this mammoth work.

Padma Shri Dr. Damodar Ganesh Bapat

Shri Damodar Ganesh Bapat is Ex-secretary and Patron of “Bhartiya Kushtaha Niwarak Sangh, Champa” and is known for his unparalleled contribution in eradication of leprosy and giving a self-reliant and dignified life to many leprosy patients. Even at the age of 82 he is incessantly working towards human welfare and is running a one of its kind leprosy eradication institute since last 45 years which also encompasses hostels & school for childrens of leprosy patients, a cowshed for preservation of Indian cow breeds, an organic farm and a vocational training centre which enables leprosy patients to live a life of dignity.

Born on April 29, 1935 in Pathrot village of Amravati district in Maharashtra in an upper middle class family he did B.A. and B.Com. from Govindram Samseriya College of Commerce, Nagpur. Childhood association with Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh sowed the seeds of devotion for society in him. When he grew up he tried to do some small jobs but due to interest in sports and entertainment he could not sustain in a single job for long. After demise of his father in 1967 he took responsibility of his family. During this tough time he read about Swami Vivekananda and got deeply inspired by him and decided to dedicate his entire life for the service of the deprived people. He worked with several organizations such as Azad Hindu Sena, Sarvodaya, Hindu Seva Dal and Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.