In a world often clouded by indifference, stories like Mala Papalkar shine like beacons of resilience, love and unwavering determination. Found abandoned and frail at Jalgaon Railway Station, Mala’s early life was shrouded in uncertainty. With impaired vision and no one to call her own, her future seemed bleak, until destiny intervened in the form of Padma Shri Shankar Baba Papalkar. A man with immense compassion, Baba Papalkar not only gave her shelter, but a name and identity, proudly registering her Aadhaar Card at the age of 10 as Mala Shankar Papalkar. Despite her visual impairment, Malas hunger for learning never dimmed. She began her education in Braille at Vivekanand Blind School and continued at Bhiwapurkar Blind School, where she scored a commendable 60 per cent in her SSC exam. Her academic journey continued at Vidarbha Mahavidyaylay, where she graduated in Economics with 65 per cent, a feat made all the more remarkable given the challenges she faced.

 

Recognising her potential, Baba Papalkar took her to Amol Patil Unique Academy, firmly believing that she was destined to clear the prestigious MPSC examination. With a laptop, a phone and unwavering support from educators like Prakash Tople Patil, Mala immersed herself in audio and video study material. Yet success did not come easy as she faltered in attempt to crack the MPSC twice. But each failure only fueled her determination. However, January 2023 marked a turning point. With renewed confidence and relentless preparation, Mala finally crossed the MPSC hurdles.

 

Now, she stands at the doors of a new chapter as she is soon to join the Collectors Office in Nagpur, expected to begin in early May. But for Mala this is just the beginning, as she has set her ‘sights’ on the skies. Though she has lived most of her life in Wazzar, Amravati, with Baba Papalkar, her greatest pillar of strength, Mala understands that her path will eventually take her beyond those familiar surrounding. Her ambition does not at one achievement. According to Shankar Baba Papalkar her next goal is to become a Tehsildar, a position she aspires with conviction, even if it means resigning from her current role. “She studies a lot, always with her audiobooks” Baba proudly says, “She’s very studious and I believe she will go very far”. Indeed, Mala’s journey is more than just an inspiring success story. It is a living testament to the power of second chances, the importance of support and the endless possibilities that lie within every determined soul.