Shalini Moghe

Shalini Moghe (1914 - 2011) was an Indian educationist, social worker and the founder of Kasturba Kanya School for tribal children and Bal Niketan Sangh, the first Montessori school in the state of Madhya Pradesh. She was the chairperson of the Bharatiya Grameen Mahila Sangh, Indore, a national level non governmental organization working for the welfare and education of disabled people, orphans, under privileged and the economically weaker sections of the society and was involved with other Indore-based educational institutions such as Prestige Public School and Pragya Girls School. A winner of the Jamnalal Bajaj Award in 1992, she was honoured by the Government of India in 1968, with the award of Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award for her contributions to the society.

Biography Shalini Moghe was born in a middle-class family to Tatya Sarwate, a locally known educationist and a former member of parliament on 13 March 1914 at Indore in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. She graduated in Arts (BA) from Karachi, secured a diploma in Montessori education and did advanced training in Juvenile Court and Child Welfare before joining government service. in 1947 which grew to cover a host of activities such as welfare centres in the city and surrounding villages, creches and rescue home for destitute children, nurseries, integrated child development programmes, medical camps and financial assistance for women. She was also a member of the reception committee of the International Solar Food Processing Conference 2009.

It is reported that Moghe, popularly known as Shalini Tai worked without remuneration for the major part of her career and her earnings were spent for her social activities. at the age 98 succumbing to old age illnesses.

Awards and honours The Government of India honoured Shalini Moghe with the civilian award of Padma Shri in 1968. The Government of Madhya Pradesh declared her as one among Pradesh Ki Gauravshali Betiyan (State's Daughters of Pride) on the State Foundation Day on 1 November 2011 as a part of the Beti Bachao Abhiyan (Save the Daughter Campaign).