Yesterday, as the world celebrated Mother’s Day, I found myself reflecting on the remarkable journey of my own mother, Sanjivani Mujumdar—a woman whose quiet strength and selfless choices laid the foundation for everything I have been able to achieve in life.
My mother was a highly educated woman. In fact, she was pursuing her Ph.D. while raising us. Her academic aspirations were not just personal ambitions; they were an extension of her deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of education. But life had other plans. Around the same time, my father, Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, was establishing what would become the Symbiosis Society—a pioneering initiative aimed at supporting the welfare of foreign students in India.
In those early, uncertain days of Symbiosis, my father was fully immersed in building the institution. Without hesitation, my mother stepped in—not just to care for the household, but to raise us with love, discipline, and the values that continue to guide us. She put her Ph.D. on hold and chose instead to build a different kind of legacy—one rooted in family, values, and support. She managed the sansar—our family—with quiet dignity and immense dedication, never once seeking the spotlight.
As I pursued my medical career, my mother once again became our anchor. She lovingly took over the responsibility of raising my children—her grandchildren—giving them the same warmth, wisdom, and guidance she had once given me. Thanks to her, I could focus on my professional journey knowing that my children were in the safest and most nurturing hands possible.
And just when most would consider slowing down, she began a new chapter in her life. With great passion, she established the Symbiosis Society’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum and Memorial. What started as a tribute to one of India’s greatest minds grew into a meaningful center for learning and reflection. She didn’t stop there. Understanding the value of accessibility to education, she expanded the initiative by creating a library for underprivileged students. She even established a research chair dedicated to studying Dr. Ambedkar’s monumental contributions to education and social justice.
Throughout her life, my mother stood firmly beside my father, providing unwavering support through every major decision that shaped Symbiosis. She has been the silent architect of many successes, the emotional compass of our family, and the moral backbone of our work.
Her life is a lesson in resilience, grace, and purpose. She may not have pursued the academic career she once envisioned, but through her sacrifices and later achievements, she has inspired generations—starting with me, my children, and extending to every young woman who learns of her story.
This Mother’s Day, I celebrate Sanjivani Mujumdar not just as my mother, but as a visionary in her own right—one whose impact on education, empowerment, and family will be remembered for generations to come.