The decks for registration of noted social worker Sindhutai Sapkal's orphanage seems to have been cleared today with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directing the officials to grant the requisite permission, days after an online plea brought to fore the administrative hurdles faced by her.
Fadnavis' office with its twitter handle @CMOMaharashtra has posted two tweets, terming Sakpal as 'Mai' (mother) recognising her noble work in the area since decades.
"CM @Dev_Fadnavis has strictly instructed the concerned officials to grant permission to #SindhutaiSapkal's (Mai's) organisation, taking into consideration her noble work since decades. He also instructed that the process for the same be expedited," it tweeted.
The online petition was moved last Friday by noted journalist Sucheta Dalal through Change.Org, asking the state government to remove the obstacles in registration of the orphanage.
"The government made her (Sapkal) run around and refused to cooperate. Now they want to shut her (orphanage) down for not being registered. Government orphanages are severely under-funded and overpopulated," stated the petition.
Dalal has welcomed CM's "prompt action" into the matter, saying that Sindhutai (67) is a "national icon" and it was very unfortunate that she had to undergo such an ordeal.
Dalal said she has now withdrawn the petition.
Sapkal, who has provided shelter to over 1,000 orphan children as part of her social work spanning decades and received several honours including the Ahilyabai Holkar award from state government, has been trying to get her Pune-based orphanage registered since 2011.
Change.Org country head Preethi Herman said, "This campaign was supported by 20,000 people across India. Bringing issues to the notice of officials and collectively demanding action are the most popular ways people use Change.Org. This victory is just a reinforcement that it's easier now than ever to speak up about issues and be heard.
