SINDHUTAI SAPKAL (MAI)

 

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT:-

SINDHUTAI SAPKAL (MAI)

" I delivered a child in a Cow shed, stabbing the umbilical cord 16 times."

Inspite of all the hardships, she never give up and struggled in her life. And because of her attitude, to strive hard and make it , she begged on streets so she could feed every orphan she saw!! Can we all imagine anyone more Heroic?

Yes, I am talking about none other than 'Mai - the mother of Orphans, Sindhutai Sapkal.'Her affection for those who have no one can't be described in words. Let's know some more about her life.

 

ABOUT HER:-

Sindhutai Shrihari Sapkal, affectionately called Sindhutai, was an Indian social worker and social activist particularly known for her work in raising orphaned children in India.

BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD:-

She was born on 14 November 1948 at Pimpri Meghe village in Wardha district, Maharashtra to Abhimanji Sathe, a Cowherd by profession. Being an unwanted child, she was nicknamed 'Chindhi' which means- a torn piece of cloth. Her father was keen on educating her, much against the wishes of her mother. Her father used to send her school. She used to write on leaves of Bharadi tree as a slate because she could not afford the real one.

MARRIAGE:-

Due to poverty, responsibilities and financial problems in her family, She was forced to marry and quit formal education. At the tender age 12, she got marries to Shrihari Sapkal alias Harbaji, a Cowherd from Navargaon Village in Wardha district, whose age was more than double.

TURNING POINTS IN HER LIFE:-

She bore 3 sons by the time she was 20.She put successful agitation.

She fought for her self on collection of dried cow dung used as fuel in India and selling it in collusion with forest department, without getting a single penny. Her agitation brought the district Collector to her village and realizing she was right, he passes an order against the strong man. The strong man didn't liked as he was insulted by a poor woman. The strong man managed to convince Sindhutai's husband to abandon her when she was beyond 9 months of her pregnancy. Her husband thrashed and kicked her off. She was thrown in cowshed. After some time, her labor pain started. With this pain, no one came to help her and look after her. She cut her umbilical cord with  a stone and gave birth to a baby girl. 

REJECTIONS:-

After giving birth to the girl, she came to her village. But everyone rejected her, even her mother closed the doors. Now she was alone in this world. The baby was crying with hunger. She took shelter in crematory and saw a dead body burning. As a part of rituals, the flour was left there. She took that flour, kneaded it and prepared a Bhakari and baked it on the fire which was still consuming the dead body.

She used to sing and beg and feed herself and her baby. As no one was to look after her daugher. She entrusted her little daughter to Shrimant Dagadushet Halwai Trust and named her Mamta, so that so could be looked after properly.

 

HER WORK:-

She devoted her entire life for orphans. Hence she is know as 'MAI'. She has nurtured over 1050 orphaned children and continued till her last breath. She adopted children who are doing great in their fields. She gave good standard of living to her children along with food, clothing, shelter, education. She started with vastigruhas and Balsangopan Sansthas in various places in Maharashtra.

AWARDS:-

She received more than 750 awards including Padmashri, Naarishakti puraskar, Mother Teresa Award, Ahilyabai Holkar Award given by Government of Maharashtra and many more.

 

 

LAST MOMENTS:-

The Great Lady and mother of Orphans became the star in the sky at the age of 73 on 4th January 2022 in Pune. She died due to  heart attack. She was undergoing treatment at Galaxy Hospital Pune.

           

 

 

 

Undoubtedly she is a true inspiration for all of us and specially the youths who give up looking at the challenges. Let's give tribute to our Beloved Mother 'MAI'!!!

Signing off,

Shamli Dhande,

(SY CIVIL),

Team Inspirational Saturday, COEP BLOGS.

REFERENCES:-

 

https://images.app.goo.gl/SgEaaffMKYsNXMESA

https://www.sindhutaisapakal.org/about-Sindhutail-Sapkal.html https://images.app.goo.gl/Mspajf9L64S4Q9K87

 

https://images.app.goo.gl/EYBooZH1GxW4pzb39

https://readtoempower.com/2017/09/28/i-delivered-a-child-in-a-cowshed-stabbing-the-umbilical-cord-16-times-sindhu-tai-sapkal/