Tributes Pour In To Remember Padma Shri Awardee Dr Sindhutai Sapkal

Sindhutai Sapkal tributes: Social worker Dr Sindhutai Sapkal, who was awarded Padma Shri last year for her phenomenal work in the service of orphans, passed away on January 4, yesterday. The "Mother of Orphans" died at a hospital in Pune after a heart attack. She was 75-years-old.

Dr Sapkal grew up in poverty and suffered hardship as a child. As an adult, she went on to set up institutes for orphaned children. She was abandoned by her husband, who was much older than her and had to resort to begging to raise her daughter. Even though she was struggling, she adopted more than 1,000 orphan children and took care of them for four decades.

Besides Padma Shri, she has received more than 750 awards and honours that commemorate her selfless work. The award money received by her were used to build shelters for orphans.

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Dr Sapkal was admitted to Galaxy Care Hospital in Pune for surgery in November last year. The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Shailesh Puntambekar said that she had undergone an operation for a hernia, one and a half months ago. Her recovery was going very slow. At around 8 PM on Tuesday, she suffered a heart attack and passed away.

As hundreds remember mai, here are a few of the tributes pouring in online:

- Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi paid his tribute to Dr Sapkal by tweeting, "Dr Sindhutai Sapkal will be remembered for her noble service to society. Due to her efforts, many children could lead a better quality of life. She also did a lot of work among marginalised communities. Pained by her demise. Condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti."

- Union Minister Smriti Z Irani called Dr Sapkal "beacon of hope & humanity" and tweeted, "Deeply saddened by the demise of Dr Sindhutai Sapkal, a mother who enveloped thousands of children in her care. A beacon of hope & humanity, her dedication towards uplifting the underprivileged will continue to inspire generations. My condolences to her loved ones. Om Shanti!"

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- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote, "I feel v sad to hear the passing away of Padma Shri Dr Sindhutai Sapkal ji. Her undying compassion and commitment towards orphaned children set a benchmark in selfless service to humanity. May God give strength to her children and followers to bear this great loss. Om Shanti."

- President of India Ram Nath Kovind tweeted, "The life of Dr Sindhubai Sapkal was an inspiring saga of courage, dedication and service. She loved & served orphaned, tribals and marginalised people. Conferred with Padma Shri in 2021, she scripted her own story with incredible grit. Condolences to her family and followers.

-Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the demise of Dr Sapkal an irreparable loss to the nation, tweeting, "सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता सिंधुताई सपकाल जी का जीवन सेवा की प्रेरणा के संदेश से भरा हुआ है। सदा प्रेम व अपनापन बरसाने वाली ताई तमाम अनाथ बच्चों का सहारा बनी। उनके निधन से देश को एक अपूर्णीय क्षति हुई है। विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि।"