Sunil Gunwantrao Deshpande, renowned social worker and founder of Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra in Lawada village of Melghat, Amravati district, passed away on Wednesday night.
Deshpande was undergoing treatment on Covid at a hospital Nagpur. He was shifted to Nagpur, after his condition deteriorated during treatment in at Mahan Project’s Hospital in the Region.
He is survived by wife Dr Nirupama, who is also partner in his project, daughter Mugdha, mother and a large number of friends, workers and followers.
Sunil, after completing Master’s Degree in Social Work was inspired by Architect Vinu Kale to take bamboo as his field of work. The tribals in Melghat were being trained in making different decorative articles of bamboo.
The articles were in great demand in national and international level. The tribals, besides getting exposure to their traditional art also received source for their economic development.
Since 1988 deshpande has worked in Bamboo handicraft and Bamboo construction since 1988.
He dedicated his work in Bamboo handicraft design development and training for Bamboo handicraft development working with birjiya. He also worked at Nanaji Deshmukh’s project at Chitrakut.
Gondwana University, Chandrapur has recently announced his name for conferment of honorary D Litt. The formal function was to be held later. Sunil Deshpande was honoured with several awards for his dedicated service for upliftment of tribals.
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