The Living Legend-Sindhutai Sapkal

She is a living legend. She is a mother to thousands of under privileged children who were living their lives on streets. Sindhutai Sapkal-is a name that deserves accolades since what she has done is something not many people can even imagine doing. So far, she has sheltered over 1024 children, many of whom have even become doctors and lawyers.

Sindhutai Sapkal, a Marathi woman, started the journey of her life literally from streets. She was married at a tender age of nine to a man who was twenty one years older to her. He was acattle herder who often beat her without any reasons. When she was twenty years old, she was thrown out of the house by her husband. At that time she was a mother to an infant girl child. Depressed Sindhutai, thought of committing suicide to end up her gruesome life.

First, the miserably poor life at her father’s house, then agonizing life at husband’s home and then, an abandoned life on the streets made Sindhutai think twice before giving up. She decided to fight back against the brutality of this male dominated society. While she lived under the roughness of streets, she met several other orphans who led a pathetic life. One of such days, Sindhutai gathered herself-up and pledged to fight for them so thast they could lead a better life. Her determination was so high that it encouraged several others to join hands. Very soon, she had over a hundred street children whom she was sheltering. Gradually this number increased and so did her determination.

Her works and her personality got highlighted when a Marathi film on her life was released. The film- “Mee Sindhutai Sapkal” was released in 2010. People came to know of her immense contribution and her creative ways to help the helpless children. Sindhutai is also honoured with over 250 awards for her selfless contribution to the society in order to re-shape its structure. She makes use of all the charity she receives in constructing homes, providing amenities and education for the children.  

Sindhutai Sapkal is the real mother India who deserves accolades for her sheer selflessness and dedication to serve on the human ground!