The quotation “ Everyone lives for their own tone but we can only sleep comfortably formerly we extend help to others” aptly defines the tender personality of Dr. Sidhutai Sapkal also known as “ MUMMA OF ORPAHAN CHILDREN (MAAI)”. This great woman spent her entire life in the service of destitute people. Sindhutai was born on November 14th, 1948. Being brought up in the poor family, in Wardha her father was involved in cattle grazing work.
Tai studied upto class 4 and was incontinently married off to a man who was triadic her age. After her marriage she settled down in the timber area of Wardha quarter along with her hubby. But life wasn’t that thankful to her. In order to get justice, Tai had fought for a woman who was exploited by the timber department. Tai successfully won the fight but life has it’s on fate little did she know that the people would backbite her and spread rumours about her carrying illegitimate child.
Following all similar rumours her hubby abandoned her at the age of 20 while she was 9 months pregnant. Disowned by all, Sindhutai also gave birth to a baby girl in a cowshed. She also earned her bread by singing and soliciting on the thoroughfares or in the road station. To cover herself and her daughter she indeed stayed at graveyard. All frustrated by her life she indeed tried to commit self-murder but backed out seeing her son. During her struggle period she saw thousands of children who were deprived of their mamma’s love and affection. Her life also took turn when she decided to borrow the abandoned and orphaned children.
Sindhutai also extended her helping hand and opened up an orphanage named “ Sanmati Bal Niketan Sanstha” located at Hadaspur near Pune. From there Sindhutai’s life has been devoted to the care of orphan in the time of poverty and dejection. She indeed gave away her natural son so that she doesn’t be a prey to partiality towards other children. After her first vihara, Tai travelled at colorful townlets in order to collect donations to run the orphanage. She indeed had to live empty stomach for numerous days but there was no looking back also. Tai had to indeed hear important review wherein she was called “ CHINDI” (a torn piece of cloth because she was disowned by her family) but this noway stopped Tai to look after her children.
Sindhutai was fondly called “ MAAI” (A mama of all – THE GODMOTHER) by her children. She has raised around 1500 orphan children and proudly has a grand family of 382 son-in- laws, 49 son-in- laws and over thousands of grandchildren who belong to the profession of counsel to croakers and are well-to- do in their life. Sindhutai’s natural child also runs her own vihara and helps the indigent bones. Sindhutai has entered 700 National and transnational awards from each over the globe. She was awarded the “ Padma Shri” in 2021 in Social Work order. She was also saluted with Maharashtra state award for the “ Ahilyabai Holkar Award” for social workers who work for women and children. She had also been awarded with “ Nari Shakti award 2017” from President of India, “ Mother Teresa Award for Social Justice, The National Award for Iconic Mother”. She was also fete with the doctorate degree by theD.Y. Patil College of Engineering, Pune. Sindhutai’s memoir was also featured in a 2010 Marathi Film known as “ MEE SINDHUTAI SAKPAL”. The film was also shortlisted for 54th London Film Festival. Tai was always reckoned for her positivity and fascinating personality. The fact that she forgave her hubby when he sorrowfully apologised her and came back to her makes her the Pleasing Personality.
She used to write poetry and her runes describe the spice of life. Not only that Tai also gave the utmost kindling speeches for the fondness to feed her children and her nurturing nature at “ TEDXVESIT”. Piecemeal from all this Tai indeed took the pride to be called as a “ US- returned Nauvari lady” where she travelled around 22 countries in her Marathi traditional Nauvari Saree. Sindhutai left us for heavenly residence on 4th of January 2022 after suffering from cardiac arrest. Sindhutai Sapkal was such an energetic spirit who motivated us and tutored us the assignments of humanity. Tai’s quotation “ Live for others and feel the real happiness” will be remembered ever.
By DRISHITA KHANNA
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