There are many people in the world who do great things. But some people do something so special, so full of love, that they touch thousands of lives — without asking for anything in return. Sindhutai Sapkal was one such person. She didn’t have money, support, or even her own home at one point. But what she had was a heart full of love — and she gave that love to more than 1,400 orphan children in her lifetime.
Let’s read her inspiring story.
A Tough Childhood and Early Marriage
Sindhutai was born on 14th November 1948 in a small village in Maharashtra. Her family was very poor, and her father worked as a cow herder. Even though girls were not always sent to school at that time, her father believed in education. He secretly supported her studies by using leaves as notebooks because they couldn’t afford real ones.
But life changed quickly. At the age of just 12, Sindhutai was married to a man who was 20 years older than her. Her married life was full of pain. Her husband did not treat her well. When she was 9 months pregnant, he beat her and threw her out of the house. With no place to go, she gave birth to her baby girl alone in a cowshed.
Most people would have lost hope in such a situation. But Sindhutai didn’t give up. That painful moment became the beginning of her powerful journey.
Living on the Streets — and Sharing with Others
After being thrown out, Sindhutai had no home, no money, and a newborn baby in her arms. She had to beg on the streets and railway stations just to survive. But while living this difficult life, she noticed something — many other children were also abandoned and living alone on the streets, without food, shelter, or love.
Even though she had very little, she began sharing her food with these children. She slowly started adopting and raising them. Her heart was so big that she once said:
“I was thrown out, and I know the pain of being unwanted. So I decided that no child should ever feel that way.”
Becoming “Mai” (Mother) to Over 1,400 Children
As time went on, more and more children came to Sindhutai. She took care of orphans, abandoned kids, and even children left at temples and railway stations. She gave them food, clothes, education, and most importantly — love.
These children began calling her “Mai”, which means Mother in Marathi. She didn’t just feed them — she raised them with strong values and discipline. She even made a tough choice early in her journey — she gave her own daughter to a trust, so that she wouldn’t show any special treatment. To her, all children were equal.
Some of her children went on to become doctors, engineers, teachers, and social workers. Many now run orphanages themselves, following in her footsteps.
Building Homes, Not Just Shelters
With the help of kind people and donors, Sindhutai was able to build several children’s homes across Maharashtra, such as:
- Sanmati Bal Niketan Sanstha in Pune
- Mamata Bal Sadan in Hadapsar
- Abhiman Bal Bhavan in Wardha
These were not just places to sleep — they were filled with care, learning, and togetherness. Children were treated with respect and taught to believe in themselves.
Recognized by the Nation — But She Gave It All Back
Sindhutai’s selfless work was recognized across India and even abroad. She received over 750 awards, including:
- Padma Shri (2021) – One of India’s highest civilian awards
- Mother Teresa Award
- Ahilyabai Holkar Award
- Honorary Doctorate from several universities
But Sindhutai didn’t keep the money from these awards. Instead, she used every rupee to build more homes and support more children. She never thought about herself — only about the children she called her own.
Saying Goodbye — But Her Work Lives On
On 4th January 2022, Sindhutai Sapkal passed away at the age of 73. India mourned her loss, but her love, courage, and mission still live on through the many children she raised. They now continue her work, helping others and spreading her message of kindness.
What We Can Learn from Sindhutai
Sindhutai Sapkal’s story teaches us that:
- Even in the worst times, we can rise and help others.
- We don’t need a lot of money to make a big difference.
- One person’s love can change the lives of thousands.
- True mothers are those who care and protect — not just those who give birth.
Final Words from Wise Indians
At Wise Indians, we believe real heroes are found in small villages, on the streets, and in places where nobody is watching. Sindhutai Sapkal didn’t want fame. She just wanted to give love. And in doing that, she changed India — one child at a time.
She will always be remembered as the Mother of Orphans, the woman who turned pain into purpose.
