Vijaya Bedekar, an 86-year-old resident of Sahniwas, has been leading a remarkable life. Despite her age, she tirelessly sews garments every day. What makes her sewing so extraordinary is that she uses her husband’s pension to provide clothes to newborns and underprivileged children. This act of kindness has earned her the endearing nickname “Jhabale Wali Kaku” in her community.
The Noble Mission
Vijaya’s day begins with her morning prayers, and as soon as she’s done, she heads straight to her sewing machine. Her mission? To create clothes for newborns. She sews clothes like Jhablas, caps, and langots and, with the help of her son and daughter-in-law, ensures these garments reach the little ones in need. This noble endeavor has been ongoing for 22 years.
An Angel in Sahniwas
Vijaya Bedekar is the unsung angel of Sahniwas, where construction work often employs many laborers. When a newborn arrives in the neighborhood, she rushes to provide clothes for the baby. Even her own family sometimes couldn’t afford new clothes for their babies, but thanks to her, that’s no longer a concern.
Over 24,000 Garments and Counting
In her 22 years of tireless service, Vijaya Bedekar has sewn and distributed more than 24,000 garments for newborns and young children. She’s a living testament to the power of one person’s determination and compassion.
The Cost of Kindness
Vijaya’s husband used to work as a station master for the railways, and his pension now supports her charitable sewing work. Of the 25,000-30,000 rupees she receives monthly, Vijaya dedicates around 11,000 rupees for the clothing of underprivileged children. She meticulously creates sets of 7 to 10 garments for each newborn.
Beginning of a Lifelong Mission
Vijaya’s journey started in 2001 when a lady working at her home mentioned a child in the neighborhood who needed clothes but had none. Without hesitation, Vijaya used the spare fabric she had to sew garments for the child. This incident made her realize the dire need for new clothes among poor families. She began by stitching clothes in her husband’s name using a portion of his pension and has never looked back since.
In conclusion, Vijaya Bedekar’s story is one of unwavering dedication and compassion. She serves as an inspiration, reminding us that a single act of kindness can make a world of difference, even in the later years of life. Vijaya’s legacy will continue to touch the lives of countless children, one stitched garment at a time.
