Noted personalities in various fields today paid tributes to Ramon Magsaysay award winner Dr Rajnikant Arole who died last night at Pune.

Dr Arole was the recipient of Mother Teresa Award (2005), Padmabhushan (1990) and Ramon Magsaysay award (1979) for his remarkable contribution in the field of health sector.

Dr Arole was born on September 18, 1934 at Rahuri in Ahmednagar district and is survived by son Ravindra and daughter Dr Shobha. He died at the Poona Hospital last night.

Former Union minister Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil said he was closely associated with Dr Arole from 1971 during his term as Ahmednagar ZP Vice President.

"Dr Arole was always a smiling and pleasant personality. He was sad to see poor people. He took his meal with workers and poor patients," he said.

Vikhe-Patil said he met 77-year old Dr Arole a couple of days ago to enquire about his health. "We will definitely miss him and his work in rural health development," he said.

"Jamkhed tells the story of the development of the Comprehensive Rural Health Project, a sustainable community - based primary health care programme in one of the poorest parts of India," communications expert Rahul Shingavi said.

"Around Jamkhed, scores of men and women have come forward to acquire knowledge and skills in health and development. This empowerment has resulted in a drastic reduction in infant mortality and has improved the quality of village life," Shingavi said.