2010 Mind of Steel award winner Sindhu Tai tells her story

Описание: Sindhu Tai addresses the audience at the 2012 Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Award Ceremony where she is called upon to present the Mind of Steel Award to Santosh Singh Negi of Uttar Pradesh

Ms Sindhutai began begging to feed her daughter, who had been born in a cowshed when her husband threw her out. In fact she herself had to cut the umbilical cord with a sharp edged stone lying nearby. She had nowhere to go. She even thought of committing suicide, but abandoned the idea and instead resolved to face life with courage and try to do her best for others in need. She was 21 then. She traveled in buses and trains, from one place to another, and from one city to other, singing and begging. Her melodious voice enchanted people who gave her money unreservedly. She would sleep on platforms and on roads and happily give her extra collection to other beggars. She reached Chikhaldara in Maharashtra's Amravati district. A section of the Melghat jungles on the border of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh had been earmarked for a tiger reserve. She soon found herself for fighting for the rights of the tribals in the area. She began to look after orphaned and abandoned adivasi children Her first Ashram, came up in Chikhaldara. She left her own daughter in an Ashram in Pune to take on the responsibility of becoming mother to the Ashram inmates. Gradually the numbers grew. More centres came up. Today, there are five centres in Maharashtra, which home nearly 1,000 children. Besides, there are also 25 abandoned women who have taken refuge with Sindhutai. Her daughter Mamta, who had completed her post graduation in Social work, follows in her footsteps and has taken charge of the Mamta Bal Sadan. Sindhutai, popularly called Mai, even today begs—begs for her 1,000 children. She goes out to lecture in schools and colleges and then spreads a sheet on the table. She asks people to donate generously, as her Homes survive on donations and grants