Sindhutai Sapkal

“Don't fear the darkness of the night, wait for the dawn, one day your day will shine”

“You have two hands, One to Help Yourself and Second to Help Others."

Sou. Sindhutai Sapkal, also referred to as Mother of Orphans, is an Indian social worker and activist who is primarily recognised for her support of raising orphan children.

Birth and Education:

Sapkal was born on November 14,1948 to a cow-herder named Abhimanyu Sathe in the village of Pimpri Meghe in the Wardha district of the previously known Central Provinces and Berar of India. She was referred to as Chindhi since she was an undesired child (Marathi for "piece of rag"). Despite her mother's protests, her father was determined to get Sindhutai an education. Under the pretext of cow grazing, Abhimanyu ji used to send her to school, where she would use "leaves of the Bharadi Tree" as a slate because she couldn't purchase a real slate for economical reasons. After she completed the fourth grade, she was compelled to stop attending school due to extreme poverty, obligations, and an early marriage. At the age of 12, Sapkal got married to Shrihari Sapkal, who was 20 years her older, and they moved to Nawargaon village in Seloo, Wardha. The marriage did not last long, and when she was 20 years old, she was left to care for a girl child alone.

Turning Point in Life:

Sindhutai Sapkal married Shrihari Sapkal alias Harbaji, a cowherd from the Wardha District village of Navargaon, at the young age of 12, more than double her husband's age. Before she turned 20, she gave birth to three sons. She successfully protested the collecting of dried cow dung used as fuel in India and sold it in collusion with the forest department without paying the farmers anything. A district collector was called to her village as a result of her agitation, and when he saw that she was correct, he issued an order that the strongman did not appreciate. 

Sapkal gave birth to her daughter among the cows by cutting her own umbilical cord:

Sapkal’s husband never respected her. A landlord spread rumours about her infidelity to the village when she became pregnant for the fourth time. Believing the landlord, her husband had beaten her up so severely that she was semi-conscious. Her husband threw her in a cowshed after beating her and kicking her on her full-term belly. In order to make the tragedy appear accidental, Sindhutai's husband created a scene in which it appeared like the cows had tramped Sindhutai under their hooves. Yet one particular cow shielded her from harm, and subsequently, she gave birth to her daughter while living under the protection of that cow. Without a family or a nearby midwife, Sindhutai was compelled to use a sharp edged stone to cut her own umbilical cord. She cut her umbilical cord 16 times, after which she fell unconscious. She was left to her destiny by her husband and other family members. Sindhutai, who had been beaten and tormented, gave birth to a girl while her world was in turmoil and she was in immense pain.

“My agitation brought the district collector to the village and on realising I was right, he passed an order in our favour. This insulted the strongman of the village who managed to convince my husband to abandon me when I was beyond 9 months of pregnancy. He thrashed me and kicked me on my full-term belly and threw me in a cowshed. I was in immense pain and lost my senses. When I woke up I found a baby girl next to me guarded by a cow. With much effort, I cut my umbilical cord with a stone, and then I passed out again,” shared Sapkal in an interview.

Bread is eaten in the crematorium:

After she came back to her senses she went to her maternal village but everyone shunned her and rejected her. Even her mother closed the doors to her. With her young daughter to care for, Sindhutai was all by herself in the world. She and the infant both had hunger pains. The hunger pangs were terrible. She wished to protect herself from people's perverse behaviour and hunger pains. She took shelter in a crematory. She observed a dead body being burned. The final ceremonies were completed, and the deceased's family members had already left. As part of the final rites for the deceased soul, they had left some flour. The dead body was still being consumed by the fire when Sindhutai took that flour, kneaded it, and made a bhakri (roti). He then baked it on that fire.

Begging:

Sindhutai has a gift for singing that comes naturally. She used to sing, beg, and feed both her and the child. She would make train trips to temples, singing and begging. Other beggars frequently joined her and she fed them as well. She walked around begging and singing, going from one place to another. Years and months passed. Life continued. She would perform heartbreaking songs to earn money while she was all by herself and caring for a young child. She did not belong to any group and had no one to look up to. To ensure that her young daughter, Mamata, would get good care, she left her to the Shrimant Dagaduseth Halwai Trust. Sindhutai continued singing and begging. 

Sindhutai would give her all to help the poor, the orphaned, and other unfortunate people. She showered the orphans with her motherly love and affection. They were placed under her wing. In any manner she could, she provided them with food and shelter. They call her Aai with affection. Her orphanage is unique among orphanages. Typically, orphanages only house their children until they turn 18 years old. Sindhutai looks after her wards until they get employment, get married, and settle themselves in society. The detainees' ages ranged from an 8-day-old infant to an elderly man (a person who is in his eighties).

According to Sapkal, “Hunger made me speak”

Sidhutai's work is entirely supported and funded by private donations and other assistance from a variety of backgrounds. She never allowed the difficulties in her life to weaken her spirit. They strengthened her. Her powerful speeches, oratory, poetry recitals, and gazals are all very captivating. Following years of effort, Sindhutai is now supported by her son Deepak, daughter Mamata, and other adult sons. She has been many people's "MOTHER."

Early Work:

Sindhutai Sapkal eventually ended up at Chikhaldara, where she began begging with people for food. As a result, she adopted several of the kids she realised had been left behind by their parents. To feed the growing family, she had to beg even more. She made the decision to adopt all people who she perceived to be orphans. To remove any feelings of prejudice between her own kid and the adopted children, she later gave her own daughter away to the Shrimant Dagdu Sheth Halwai trust in Pune.

Sapkal worked for the redevelopment of 84 communities. She met Chhedilal Gupta, the then-Minister of Forests, during her campaign. He agreed that the villages shouldn't be displaced before the government had established suitable conditions at new locations. Sapkal presented pictures of an Adivasi who had lost his eyes to a wild bear to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi when she arrived to launch the tiger project. "I informed her that the forest department provided compensation if a cow or a hen was killed by a wild animal, so why not a human being?" she is quoted as saying. She demanded compensation right away.

When Sapkal learned about the condition of abandoned and orphaned Adivasi children, he decided to care for them in exchange for limited amounts of food. Soon after, it became her life's purpose.

Later Work:

Sapkal had devoted her entire life for helping orphans. She is still fighting to provide her kids with food at the next meal. She adopted a large number of orphans, some of whom are now running their own independent orphanages, including her own daughter, well-educated lawyers and lecturers. One of her children is doing a PHD on her life. For her commitment and work, she has received more than 750 awards. She bought land to build a home for her orphan children using the award money. The children now have their own building at Manjari, District of Pune, with all facilities, including a computer room, large auditorium for cultural activities, solar system, water filter, library, study room, and other necessities, as a result of her dedication and sacrifices. Mai always tries to provide her children with a high level of living along with food, clothing, shelter, education, and rehabilitation.

Her husband eventually apologised to her at the age of 70. She acknowledged him as her son and claimed she was only a mother at the time. She proudly and lovingly identifies him as her oldest child if he visits her ashram. In person, she transmits an endless supply of enthusiasm and inspiration, and she has no ill feelings towards anyone. 

The 2010 Marathi biopic "Mee Sindhutai Sapkal" was based on the real life experiences of Sindhutai Sapkal. At the 54th London Film Festival, the movie was chosen for a world premiere.

Aamchi Mai, an autobiography based on her life, was released on January 1st, 2015 by D.B. Mahajan.

Orphanages:

Orphans were the focus of Sapkal's life. As a result, she earned the affectionate nickname "Mai," which means "mother." Among the more than 1,500 orphans she raised, she built a grand family of 382 son-in-laws and 49 daughter-in-laws. For her efforts, she has received more than 700 honours. She bought land to build an orphanage using the award money.

“I am there for all those who have no one” quoted Sindhutai Sapkal

In 1970, she established her own ashram in Chikhaldara, Amravati. Moreover, she founded Savitribai Phule Girls Hostel, her first Charity, which was authorised in Chikhaldara. [2] She later managed Sanmati Bal Niketan Sanstha, an orphanage in Pune's Hadapsar area. In Maharashtra, she also runs a variety of other social groups.

Organisations:

• Mother Global Foundation, Pune

• Sanmati Bal Niketan, Bhelhekar Vasti, Manjri, Hadapsar, Pune

• Mamata Bal Sadan, Kumbharvalan near Saswad, Purandar taluka (started in 1994)

• Savitribai Phule Mulinche Vasatigruh (Girls' Hostel) Chikhaldara, Amravati 

• Abhiman Bal Bhavan, Wardha

• Gangadhar Baba Chhatralaya, Guha shirdi 

• Saptsindhu' Mahila Adhar, Balsangopan Aani Shikshan Sanstha, Pune

• Shree Manshanti Chatralaya, Shirur

• Vanvasi Gopal Krishna Bahuuddeshiya Mandal Amravati

• Vanvasi Gopalkrushna Shikshan Krida Prasarak Mandal, Amravati

Awards:

• Rajai Award 

• Sahyadri Hirkani Award 

• Shivlila Mahila Gaurav Award

• Dattak Mata Purskar, given by the nonprofit Sunita Kalaniketan Trust in 1996

• Women of the Year Award for 2008 was presented by the daily Marathi newspaper Loksatta. 

• Ahilyabai Holkar Prize, awarded by the Maharashtra government to social workers in the field of women's and children's welfare in 2010.

• COEP Gaurav Puraskar awarded by Pune College of Engineering in 2012. 

• Real Heroes Awards were presented in 2012 by CNN-IBN and the Reliance Foundation. 

• The National Award for Iconic Mother was awarded in 2013

• Mother Teresa Prizes for Social Justice in 2013

• Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Award for 2014

• Wockhardt Foundation's Social Worker of the Year award was given in 2016

• Honorary Doctorate Award was presented by the Dr. D.Y. Patil Faculty of Engineering, Pune in 2016

• Nari Shakti Puraskar from the Indian President Ram Nath Kovind in 2017

• Padma Shri in the Social Work category in 2021

Sindhutai Sapkal perspective towards life (Sapkal: A life of Immense Courage and Determination): 

Sindhutai, a talented orator, used to share her story in a distinctive way with song, humour, and life lessons without making light of the painful and humiliating situations she endured. She effortlessly transitioned between Hindi and Marathi as she cited Marathi saint-poets Tukaram, Namdeo, Bahina bai, Gadgebaba, and Tukdoji Maharaj as well as Suresh Bhat and Urdu poets.

"I know how it feels to be alone for long periods of time with nowhere to go, no place to stay, no food to eat. I believe that through my small efforts, someone is assisting me in healing my own scars”. She remarked to a crowded Pune audience in 2016 during the Moneylife Foundation's International Women's Day celebrations that "all scars heal with time, but you must live, stay alive for others." 

Talking of healed wounds, Sindhutai recalled: "A few years ago, when he was nearly 80 years old, my husband came back to me and apologised profusely. I informed him that I could only accept him as a child, not as a spouse. Due to the fact that a woman is a wife just briefly before becoming a mother permanently. I now tell my other children to express their gratitude to the eldest for having me as their Mai”. 

She has frequently stated, "Many times I attempted suicide. But, I was always saved by an unknown power. I made the decision to live for those who are dying on every such event.”

Sindhutai would often say, "I am still a beggar." "Humans or humanity cannot contain hunger. People are not evil; rather, hunger makes people evil. I still have a lot of kids, and they all need to eat every day. I therefore beg you to ask people like you for help. Now that I am their mother, you can join us as their family.”

"I have no regrets. Since there was no one to take care of my mother when I founded these orphanages, I frequently asked her to come and stay with me. She, however, consistently refused, saying, "How can I seek refuge from you when I threw you out when you needed my shelter?" If my mother hadn't kicked me out, I believe this adventure would not have been possible today. But this has left me feeling empty inside. By raising so many children, I'm only trying to fill the void”, Sindhutai told the audience.

Death:

On January 4, 2022, Sindhutai Sapkal, also known as "Anathanchi Maye" or "Mother of Orphans," died at a private hospital in Pune as a result of a heart attack. She was 74. She was renowned for her work rehabilitating women as well as fostering hundreds of orphaned, abandoned, and destitute children. On November 24 of last year, she had surgery for a large diaphragmatic hernia. She had made a full recovery, but a lung infection risen tremendously approximately a week ago. She experienced a severe heart attack and died.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted in honour of Sindhutai, saying, "Sindhutai Sapkal will be remembered for her honourable service to society. Several youngsters could live better lives as a result of her efforts. She also worked extensively with underprivileged groups of people and they are devastated by her death. We send our sympathies to her family and supporters.”

In his condolence speech, Ananth Mahadeven, who directed the biopic on Sindhutai's life, refers to her as "the Florence Nightingale who touched many lives and changed them."

Even though Sindhutai had a difficult existence, she never stopped fighting for the betterment of abandoned and orphaned kids. For millions of people, her life serves as an inspiration. Future generations will be inspired by the social effort that has been carried out by Sindhutai Sapkal.

Sindhu Tai is a fearless lady on a mission with absolute authority and a crystal-clear vision. One feels naturally drawn to her due to her wisdom and profound insight of life, which are profoundly based on the experiences she has encountered in her life.

One of Mai’s famous sayings, “A mother can never be defeated. A woman can never be defeated. But she needs to keep her heart strong and learn to forgive.”

“I have no complaints with the life I have led. It has only made me strong and helped me learn about the world. The world needs love, and can’t exist without it,” Sapkal quoted

Side Notes 

Sapkal gave birth to her daughter among the cows by cutting her own umbilical cord:

Sapkal’s husband never respected her. A landlord spread rumours about her infidelity to the village when she became pregnant for the fourth time. Believing the landlord, her husband had beaten her up so severely that she was semi-conscious. Her husband threw her in a cowshed after beating her and kicking her on her full-term belly. In order to make the tragedy appear accidental, Sindhutai's husband created a scene in which it appeared like the cows had tramped Sindhutai under their hooves. Yet one particular cow shielded her from harm, and subsequently, she gave birth to her daughter while living under the protection of that cow. Without a family or a nearby midwife, Sindhutai was compelled to use a sharp edged stone to cut her own umbilical cord. She cut her umbilical cord 16 times, after which she fell unconscious. She was left to her destiny by her husband and other family members. Sindhutai, who had been beaten and tormented, gave birth to a girl while her world was in turmoil and she was in immense pain.

The film made on Sindhutai Sapkal:

In 2021, Sindhutai received the Padma Shri honour. In addition to this, she received more than 750 honours. She always donated the money to orphans. Moreover, his biopic was produced in 2010. Mee Sindhutai Sapkal was the title of the Marathi-language biopic. Moreover, the 54th London Film Festival selected this biopic for the world premiere.

Sindhutai Sapkal speech after receiving Padma Shri award:

Sindhutai went on to win awards, get international recognition and grow her empire of love. Receiving one award, she said “I am overwhelmed after having the news of me being given the Padma Shri Award. It will certainly help reduce the hunger of my children at the orphanage. All of them, who have till now, helped, supported, and stood behind me strongly – this award is dedicated to all of them. There was hunger in my belly, which I realised is there in all my children’s stomachs. So I shared my hunger with all and started the work for orphanage children. I remember my father while accepting this award”.

Sindhutai Sapkal: The Incredible Women:

Sapkal has not only significantly reduced gender bias, but her story also symbolises feminism, bravery, humanity, the finest human (and animal) spirit, and karma. She is a woman who transformed hardship into opportunity, sadness into strength, suffering into purpose. Thus, she is like an Iron Lady. She is the epitome of love and humanity, and her approach was perfect. To put it another way, no matter how severely her family and society rejected her, she was not going to respond with an equal amount of hate. Whether it was joy, sadness, or misery, Sindhutai felt each feeling deeply and completely.