Sindhutai Sapkal (English: Sindhutai Sapkal, born- November 14, 1948; death- January 4, 2022) was a Marathi social worker working for orphan children. Despite many problems in his life, he worked to take care of orphan children. Sindhutai, who takes care of homeless children, is said to have 1500 children, more than 150 daughters-in-law and more than 300 sons-in-law. Sindhutai spent her life serving orphan children. To fill his stomach, he sometimes even begged in trains. On receiving Padma Shri (2021), Sindhutai had said that ‘this award belongs to my colleagues and my children.’ He had appealed to the people to adopt orphan children.
Sindhutai Sapkal, who grew up in poverty, had to face immense difficulties in her childhood. Born on November 14, 1948 in Wardha district of Maharashtra, Sindhutai Sapkal was forced to leave school after passing the fourth grade. At the young age of 12, she was married to a 32-year-old man. After giving birth to three children, her husband abandoned her even though she was pregnant. Her own mother and the village she grew up in refused to help, forcing her to beg to raise her daughters.
After begging in the train, Sindhutai used to stay at Sapkal station. One day Sindhutai found a child at the railway station. It was from here that he got the inspiration to help destitute children. After this, an endless process started, which has today transformed into 6 big social service organizations of Maharashtra. More than 1500 destitute children live like a family in these institutions. The use of the word ‘orphan’ is prohibited in Sindhutai’s organization. Children used to call her Tai (Mother). Widow women also get shelter in these ashrams. They do everything from cooking to taking care of children.
Padma Shri awardee Sindhutai has been awarded more than 700 honors so far. Whatever amount he got from the honors he has received so far, he also spent it in the upbringing of his children. Sindhutai has also been awarded a doctorate degree by DY Patil Institute. ‘Mee Sindhutai Sapkaal’, a Marathi film based on Sindhutai’s life, was released in 2010 and was also screened at the 54th London Film Festival.
Sindhutai Sapkal, famous as Mother Teresa of Maharashtra, died on January 4, 2022 in Pune. 73-year-old Sindhutai was suffering from septicemia and was undergoing treatment at Galaxy Hospital in Pune for the last one and a half month.