A Selfless Spirit

By
IndiGlobal Media Bureau

She was an icon for many, support for those who had no one and a selfless spirit who worked for the most vulnerable section of our society – orphans. Padma Shri Sindhutai Sapkal, 75 years, also known as ‘Anathachi Maye’ or Mother of Thousand Orphans’ is a life to be celebrated.

She ran an orphanage Sanmati Bal Niketan Sanstha in Pune near Hadapsar. There are 1,500 orphan children adopted by the institute. Her Yeomen service acquired 250 national and international awards. In 2010, a Marathi biopic of Sapkal titled ‘Mi Sindhutai Sapkal Boltey’ was released in Maharashtra.

She has also extensively worked for the rights and rehabilitation of Adivasi communities and will remain a source of inspiration for many others.

Born in the Wardha district of Maharashtra on November 14^th, 1948 she was married at the age of 10 years to a 30-year-old man.

After marriage, she settled in Navargaon forest area of Wardha. She had a difficult marriage and was abandoned by her husband and family. She gave birth to her child in a cowshed.

To survive, she made her living by singing and begging in trains. During this struggle, she met hundreds of children who needed a mother. This need changed the course of her life as she started adopting orphaned and abandoned children.

Her efforts in educating, grooming and giving them love in a home are an example to follow. As her soul departs for heavenly abode her spirits will always be remembered as that has changed the lives of many.