Introduction

Maya Kaul’s remarkable journey from the conflict-stricken valleys of Kashmir to becoming a dedicated social worker in Madhya Pradesh exemplifies resilience and commitment to community upliftment. At 73, she oversees 60 anganwadis and empowers countless women and children, driven by a profound dedication rather than the desire for recognition.

From Kashmir to Madhya Pradesh: A Journey of Resilience

At 73 years old, Maya Kaul dedicates her time to children, classrooms, and ensuring dignity by managing 60 anganwadis throughout Madhya Pradesh. Alongside that, she empowers women to earn independently and is currently establishing a library. Despite her impactful work, Maya never refers to herself as a changemaker.

Her life of service, however, did not begin with confidence but with displacement and uncertainty.

Leaving Kashmir Behind

Maya’s life changed during the winter of 1989 when traveling from Baramulla, Kashmir, to Hoshangabad to spend holidays with her mother. She arrived with only a suitcase and her two young sons, Manas and Manav, while her husband, Manohar Das Kaul, remained in Kashmir as a marine engineer with the Irrigation Department.

As violence escalated in Kashmir, Maya could not return home, leading to a long and uncertain separation. Her husband stayed behind hoping to evacuate family and maintain his government job, but circumstances deteriorated.

“It was an extremely difficult phase. We had nothing except education and our two sons. There were no Kashmiris in Hoshangabad, and people there did not understand our situation,” Maya recalls.

Manohar eventually went into hiding before joining Maya and their children in Hoshangabad. However, with his employment records destroyed in office fires, even retirement benefits were denied, leaving the family without a steady income.

Returning to Education Out of Necessity

With a master’s degree in Hindi and a thesis on Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s Kurukshetra, Maya’s academic pursuits had paused due to marriage and household responsibilities. The new circumstances compelled her to resume educational work.

She began by tutoring children but soon sought employment at a local school. Offered a principal role with the condition of enrolling students and collecting fees, Maya faced challenges as many families struggled to pay.

Recognizing the hardships families faced, Maya devised a solution to combine education with livelihoods.

Combining Education With Livelihood

Maya proposed women produce items like papads and spices to earn money for school fees. Initially skeptical, the women soon found success, making and selling products to support their children’s education.

This initiative facilitated the smooth operation of the school and fostered economic independence. Maya expanded her efforts by helping women open bank accounts, register an NGO, and select leadership from within their community.

Raising Sons While Rebuilding Life

While managing these responsibilities, Maya prioritized her sons’ education and personal development. She pursued a law degree to support her NGO work.

Her elder son, Manas, tutored students to aid the family financially. Manav, less academically inclined, experimented with various ventures before discovering a passion for literature and theatre.

Maya and her mother instilled a deep love for Hindi literature in their sons, encouraging individual aspirations alongside educational achievements.

Growing Up Away From Home

Adapting to a new environment was difficult for the boys, facing health challenges and social teasing. To help them integrate, Maya enrolled Manas in Taekwondo and Manav in swimming, both excelling and earning accolades.

After schooling, Manas secured employment in Bhopal, while Manav pursued sports, later choosing to follow his passion for theatre over a government job, with Maya’s wholehearted support.

Building Takshashila, One Anganwadi at a Time

In Bhopal, Maya observed that anganwadis lacked essential resources. She founded the NGO Takshashila to provide necessities such as chairs, uniforms, umbrellas, and toys to support these centers.

The initiative grew from 20 anganwadis in Bhopal to 40 more in Indore after Maya relocated there 15 years ago, expanding her outreach significantly.

A Son’s Support and a Mother’s Happiness

Maya currently oversees 60 anganwadis. Her younger son, Manav, now a renowned writer and artist, manages the finances.

She finds joy in small successes, like a girl learning a few English words, which fuels her lifelong dedication. Her numerous accomplishments include:

  • Writing a thesis on Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s Kurukshetra
  • Earned a law degree
  • Empowering hundreds of women toward self-reliance
  • Transforming lives of countless children through education
  • Serving as Chairperson of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Council
  • Receiving awards for women’s empowerment
  • Authoring poetry and short stories, including Blue Bicycle and Laughing Sunshine
  • Adopting 60 anganwadis, three girls, and 10 children battling AIDS

Maya also engages with her community through festival celebrations, activities with children, and promoting adventurous experiences for seniors.

A Library and a Future Still Unfolding

Currently, along with Manav, Maya is opening a library in Indore to promote literacy and community engagement through book quizzes.

Manav reflects on his mother’s vitality: “She is so full of life; it energizes me.” Maya continues to embrace learning and helping others, embracing simplicity and joy.

Her philosophy reflects a profound view: “Every moment surprises me. Books speak powerfully in silence. Every person is a good novel. What does one really need from life? To live just this much — and only this much. Society itself is a joyful message. Read books and wander without a goal. Life is the ultimate simplicity.”