Gandhian Dwarkaprasad Joshi(94) dies observing fast unto death

94-year-old Gandhian Dr. Dwarkadas Joshi who had stopped taking food to end his life, passed away today in North Gujarat’s Visnagar town.

Friend and follower of Vinoba Bhave, Dr Dwarkadas Joshi had decided to imitate the way his idol Viboba Bhave chose to die. For over two weeks Dr Joshi had stopped taking food and limited self to a bed. He used to consume only water.

After he felled down in the kitchen and broke his leg last month, Dr.Joshi decided to end his life like his hero Vinobha Bhave did way back in 1982. Dr Joshi spent years in the company of Gandhiji and Vinobha Bhave.

On the advice of Vinoba Bhave and Gandhiji, Dr Joshi left a lucrative medical practice in Mumbai and dedicated his life to serving the poor. He and his team have performed nearly 4 lakh eye surgeries in the past five decades. His decision to end a long and fruitful life has left many in this part of Gujarat, where he is so respected, filled with sorrow.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had visited North Gujarat’s Visnagar town specially to meet Dr. Joshi earlier this week.

Dwarkadas Joshi and Modi both are originally from Vadnagar town. Modi went to Dr.Joshi’s house and offered him water of holy river Ganga. Modi sought Dr. Joshi’s blessings, prayed for his better health and told him: “Gujarat needs your blessings, we humbly request you to discontinue your fast”.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi, in his condolence message on Friday expressed deep pain and said Gujarat has lost a selfless servant.

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