A mother of 1000 orphan children, Sindhutai Sapkal feels that social service is everyone's responsibilityThey say that God can't be everywhere so he created mothers. But for all those who do not have a mother, there are people like Sindhutai Sapkal who shower them with the love and affection of a mother."I was born in Vardha, Amravati district in the year 1948. After having gotten married at an early age of nine to a person elder to me by 26 years, I realised that life is not a bed of roses. I still remember the day when, due to the mental as well as physical harassment from my in-laws, I had to deliver my baby outside my own house at the age of 20. It was at that point that I decided to leave the house and become independent," says Sapkal. For a single woman with a baby in her arms, life was not quite easy. In order to feed her daughter and herself, Sapkal had to spend over three years in trains traveling and singing for money. "During those days, I realised that if this was the condition of a woman like me, what with children who did not have anyone in the world? I thus decided to be a mother for them all and that is how I thought of taking care of such children," adds she. The very first step began with a sacrifice as Sapkal handed over her own daughter to Dagdusheth Halwai Trust for taking care of her. "I believe this was important because in order to be able to serve them with dedication, I needed to be on my own and there should not have been any emotional bonds," says she. What Sindhutai Sapkal began with an orphanage at Chikhaldara, in Amravati district was a journey that continues till date giving quality life to countless orphans. "In 1998, I established an ashram named- Sapta Sindhu for widows and children. Additional organisations include Abhiman Bal Bhavan, youth and women empowerment houses like Gopika Mahila Udyog and Gopika Vanoushadhi Prakalpa and so on," elaborates she. Since the past 35 years, tai, as she is commonly known, has groomed over 1000 children and is a proud mother-in-law, of 175 sons and 36 daughters. Many of her children are now well educated and have become doctors and MBAs. In fact one of them is doing PhD on- Sindhutai Sapkal. Her first 'child', Deepak, who is well established now, says, "I feel really proud to have a mother like her. She is an inspiration for many who want to work for society, especially for orphans." Having lightened the lives of many, Tai now wants to give a message for all, especially youth- "They are talented, but they should remember that there is no short cut for success. No matter how successful you are, it is your responsibility to look after needy people sparing time from your busy schedule."
