Swami Tinhi Jagacha, Aai Vina Bhikari (The Master of all three worlds is a beggar without mother). How true it is!! Having a mother is the greatest blessing of the Almighty. Time changes, generation changes, situation changes but mother doesn’t. Her unconditional love remains the same. Matru Sewa Sangh (MSS) in Nagpur, which turns 101 on May 14, is a living example of selfless service to mankind. Like a mother, this non-profit social organisation, founded by Padma Shri late Kamalatai Hospet in 1921, has been consistently and humanely nurturing the sick, especially expectant mothers and the newborns. Lata Deshmukh, Secretary of MSS, has been a witness to the gradual growth of this institute. She had joined MSS in 1996 and since then the institution has been an integral part of her life. About the condition of expectant mothers back then Deshmukh said, “Kamalatai was the one who stressed on institutional deliveries around 100 years back and even today the government has to run schemes for the same purpose. The only objective then and now is the safety of the mother and child.”

 

Reminiscing about the founder of MSS she said, “Kamalatai was a compassionate person. Under her wings MSS became a trustworthy institution. Patients, their relatives, hospital staff- all were treated with care. Post delivery, the women were provided healthy food and babies were given necessary treatment. Nothing has changed today. People are treated with same kindness. Today, MSS is equipped with advanced technology and has treatment for almost all the diseases.” For Lata Deshmukh, Kamalati was a mother who also cared about her staff. Looking at the problems of retiring employees, she established old age homes for them. Kamalatai was a mother to many so she always dealt with their problems on priority,” recalled Deshmukh.

 

“Even today we have a dedicated staff lending helping hand to mother-child care. We have been running projects for women, divyangs and kids that will make them capable of earning their livelihood,” she said. “MSS has been a ray of hope for broken families, exploited women and girls and abandoned babies. Such complicated issues are handled delicately. Besides, it is also ensured that the innocent are guided and equipped to make life worth living,” mentioned Deshmukh. When asked about the challenges faced earlier and now, she said, “Challenges will always be there. Just serve with a pure heart, clear conscience and the rest is taken care of.”

 

Commenting on Mother’s Day, Deshmukh, a senior member of MSS, said having a mother and being a mother is a lifelong celebration. “The Mother’s Day concept at least makes children realise that they can express their gratitude towards their mother on this day. It’s good that they pamper their mother with gifts and surprises on this particular day,” she opined. How does she see today’s young mothers juggling between personal and professional life? Deshmukh simply puts, “Once a mother always a mother. She is blessed with immense energy and will power to take care of children. Similarly, MSS is also blessed with kind hearted and loving people working tirelessly with a mission of health care.