Padma Shri Awardee Sindhutai Sapkal Known as 'Mothers Of Orphans' Dies At 73

Sindhutai Sapkal, a well-known social worker died at the age of 73 on Tuesday 4 January at around 8:10 pm at a private hospital in Pune after suffering from a heart attack.

Sapkal is recognized across the county as the 'Mothers of Orphans' and called 'Maai' because throughout her life she had adopted more than 1000 orphans and run her own orphanage in Pune.

Sindhutai Sapkal was the recipient of the fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri for her massive contribution towards the betterment of society.

Sapkal took her last breath on Tuesday in the galaxy Care Hospital located in Pune of Maharashtra. Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar, the Medical Director of Galaxy Hospital informed that Sapkal was hospitalized more than a month ago due to certain ailments and also undergone hernia surgery and was recovering slowly. The doctor added she passed away on Tuesday at 08:10 pm following a heart attack.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind paid their heartfelt condolences over the demise of Sapkal who was an inspiring personality with courage and dedication.

The renowned social activist, Sindhutai Sapkal was born on November 14 in the year 1948 in Wardha district of Maharashtra. She was drop out of her school after class 4 and was deprived of further education.

At the young age of 12, Sapkal was married to 32 years old man named Shrihari Sapkal and had four biological children but she later adopted and raised more than 1000 children in the country. Her husband left her while she was pregnant with the fourth child and already had three children.

During her childhood, Sapkal struggled a lot and grew up in extreme poverty with immense hardship she had successfully set up institutes for orphan children.

Sapkal has been awarded more than 750 awards and she had made use of the award money by constructing orphan centers. In the year 2010, a Marathi biopic was released based on the journey of Sapkal which was titled 'Mee Sindhutai Sapkal.'

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