Known as Maai by her fellow workers, she was revered, respected, loved for the work she did for the society.Born on 14 nov 1948 in Wardha, she died in Pune on 4 Jan 2022. She shares her birthday with the late Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Abhimanyu Sathe, a cow herder, her father did not want a girl. Referred to as ‘Chindhi’ ( In Marathi it means ‘torn piece of cloth’). After passing her fourth std she was forced to quit school. At the age of 12 she was married to Shrihari Sapkal, 20 years elder to her. The marriage did not last long & she was left to take care of her daughter alone.
In 2021 she was awarded ‘Padma Shri’ for her social work. Tirelessly, ceaselessly working for Adivasis, for the orphans & founding institutes to cater to the less privileged she had a sweet voice & tongue which never wavered.
The struggles in life are faced by many but they become embittered. This did not happen to her. She remained a genteel person. Her sweet smile & her behaviour towards people remained like a saviour. It was the love that gave her the reverence of a mother….Maai. It is the first & foremost title that a woman can expect !
In 2010 Marathi film ‘Mee Sindhutai Sapkal’ by Anant Mahadevan is a true story of her life. The film was selected for world premiere at the 54th London film festival.
Her legacy lives on…
Asian Entertainment 