This is a story of an unsung heroine or a mother also known as MOTHER OF ORPHANS Sindhubai Sapkal. She is 68 years old an Indian Social Worker who devoted her full life to the service of orphans. She is not only a mother to her own children but a mother of around 1500 homeless children. She runs an orphanage Sanmati Bal Niketan Sanstha in Pune near Hadaspar. She has also received this year’s PADMA
This is a story of an unsung heroine or a mother also known as MOTHER OF ORPHANS Sindhubai Sapkal. She is 68 years old an Indian Social Worker who devoted her full life to the service of orphans. She is not only a mother to her own children but a mother of around 1500 homeless children. She runs an orphanage Sanmati Bal Niketan Sanstha in Pune near Hadaspar. She has also received this year’s PADMA SRI AWARDS.
CHILDHOOD HISTORY
She was born on 14 November 1948 in Wardha district of Maharashtra. Sindhutai’s childhood is not normal like others. She was an unwanted child in her family and because of that people call her “chindi” which means a torn cloth. They used to tease her by this name, but she was a very optimistic child and never give up. She had to leave her studies after grade 4 but she never stops learning new things and to become a good person. Though she belongs to a very poor family and her parents hardly fulfill their daily needs so they decided to marry her at the very early age of 10. She was married to a 30 years old man who resided in wardha district of Maharashtra.
MARRIED LIFE
After marriage, her life didn’t improve much. At the age of 20, she became a mother and had 3 sons. Moreover, because of her fighting spirit, she fought against exploitation by the forest department and landlords of village women. They created a false rumor about her and because of that, her husband abandon her when she was nine months pregnant.
BIRTH TO A NEW LIFE
However, God surely had some other plans for her. After getting abandoned by his husband she gave birth to a girl child name “MAMTA” because she delivered her alone in a cowshed. Once she told about this incident in an interview that how she breaks her umbilical cord by hitting 16 stones on it and finally made released. This shows how strong and brave women she is.
DECIDED TO END THE LIFE
As the situation become worse because she was all alone with her newborn baby struggling hard for a single meal. She started singing and begging on roads, and railway stations for survival. She lived in cemeteries to make her safe from thieves.
Her life was so painful that she thought to end it one day but couldn’t because whoever comes and asked for help she is always ready for them. So, she thought that her life is meant for others, and then she decided to sacrifice her life in helping others.
BEGINNING OF A NEW JOURNEY
When she was begging on roads and platforms for her livelihood she came across various abandoned and orphaned children. Her heart pour out when she saw such hungry children searching and looking for food and care. So, she decided to adopt these children and become a mother to everyone who came across her as an orphan.
She has devoted her entire life to orphans and that’s why she is fondly called “ MAI ” which means MOTHER . Till now Sindhutai Sapkal has nurtured over 1500+ orphaned and abandoned children. For her exemplary contribution to society Sindhutai Sapkal has received numerous awards in various fields and this year she received PADMA SRI in Social Work Category.
In 2010 a Marathi Film which is a biopic inspired by the true story of Sindhutai Sapkal was selected for world premiere at the 54th London Film Festival.
Sindhutai Sapkal is a legendary and extraordinary woman a mother and a social worker and can be a source of motivation for millions. That is all about a strong lady, a beautiful devoted mother, and a huge-hearted personality, who will surely inspire us.
