Leeladhar Hegde

Shaheer Leeladhar Hegde was born on 9 November 1927 at Thane. As a student he took part in the Movement of 1942. After completion of his education he joined the Rashtra Seva Dal  as a full-time volunteer. A gifted speaker and singer, he sang powadas and songs during the freedom struggle. During the first four months of 1947, Sane Guruji toured Western Maharashtra awakening people to allow the Dalits to visit the Vitthal mandir at Pandharpur. Leeladhar Hedge accompanined Sane Guruji on this tour.
Leeladhar Hegde has worked at the Sane Guruji Arogya Mandir in the slums at Chunabhatti as honorary secretary for the last 40 years. At present he is the president of this institute. He has played an active role in making it a multi-purpose educational institute.
Leeladhar Hegde has been awarded as an ideal activist by Maharashtra Foundation, New York and Keshav Gore Smarak, Mumbai. Many of his books have won Government awards.