Social Entrepreneur, Co-Founder, Nurturer, Center for Kids with Special Needs, New Delhi, India

Meeting Ms. Vinita Kumar in the Sarãhana Center for kids with special needs was moving and inspiring. Located in the midst of the hustle and bustle of New Delhi, the Center’s mission is to “educate parents and the surrounding Indian community about the various issues related with special needs children. To increase their awareness and help them accept and work with the children and the challenges that arise from such needs.” Vinita started the Center together with another WOW Woman, Rupa Dasgupta, to help such children and their families lead a life that is functional, happy and fulfilling.

The story behind the WOW Woman and this beautiful outcome of her pain, vision and enlightenment was awe-inspiring. The children in her day school/care, at Sarãhana, are thriving and are supported by professional therapists and educators. The same educators also council the parents, who in many instances feel overwhelmed and may lack the health, social, and economic support to be able to provide the needed care and assistance to their child.

I wanted to know what makes this woman tick, and what sets her off. Turns out staying calm in crisis is one of her superpowers. Reading about Ms. Kumar’s positive outlook on the world will leave a mark and most likely inspire you to be and do better, and as she says to “be really honest with yourself”. What a WOW Woman!

1. Name.

My name is Vinita Kumar.

2. Where is your hometown?

New Delhi, India is where I was born. I did my school and college studies in Delhi.

3. What is your profession/career/title/designation?

I went to school and obtained a bachelors degree and a course in Textile designing from Delhi, after which I married and went to New Mexico USA. Lived there for 10 years before returning back home to New Delhi.

I always have been a stay home mom when my boys were growing up and I have always been proud to be a homemaker. I now work with children with special needs, teach spoken English to underprivileged young adult women. Basically a social entrepreneur and happy to give back to society in any way I can.

4. What was the journey like to get to where you are in life?

My parents and siblings are medical doctors, and I have an extended family of 250 doctors, all reaching out to the community with their health care skills. Much to my parents disappointment, I chose arts at school and enjoyed painting and creative endeavours.

My graduation was in Philosophy, which is closely linked to spirituality, a path on which I stand today. This journey of mine started from kindergarten, at a Catholic School, with Irish nuns as our teachers. I grew up watching them as they reached out to help the underprivileged and we students participated in the fundraising for the education and betterment of the underprivileged.

5. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

My childhood had been a perfectly happy one, filled with love and with everything one could ask for. Having faced reality as a mother with two sons I am now very practical and live day to day doing my best to become part of solutions to all problems we face. I remain optimistic and the challenges we face should keep us busy.

6. What inspires you?

The one who left a lasting impression on me was Mother Mary of Grace who was gentle, compassionate, soft spoken, ever so lovable and positive with each one of us at school. At home my dad, an ENT specialist, was the one always ready with a helping hand to one and all. A very caring, sharing, loving, gentle and compassionate human being. Others’ needs always came before his. He was my hero and I always wished to have a life partner like him. Believe it or not, I did marry one, who is just like my dad and more. Our son and daughter in law who live in Austin, Texas, go a step further by reaching out to help and support various causes, such as animal shelters, and run marathons in support of those.

Now I have a loving and a very happy grandson, happiest around pets and nature. We are a family who loves nature and enjoys family time together in the mountains and on beaches. Married for 40 years I have always been a full time mom and I am proud of that. My husband is a pediatrician with a busy professional life. I have always enjoyed bringing up two wonderful boys who gave me much love and joy.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down and how did you get back up on your feet?

The turning point in our lives as a family was the day, our younger son, who was 12 years of age, collapsed at school with a brain bleed and went into a coma for several months. A brilliant student, exceptional in sports with leadership skills and an all rounder, with the most beautiful heart for all that were around him. A perfect son, brother and friend. It was he who taught me to smile through pain and I never saw him sad. He taught me the power to face all challenges head on and never give up. His journey of life, from age 12 to 25, was a difficult one, with many more bleeds and lots of rehabilitation and painful therapies for hours each day. His smile and resilience helped me stay alive and work tirelessly with him. He helped me start my NGO for children with special needs and even spent time with these children on days he was able to. He passed away at 25 leaving behind this legacy.

Because of my experience with my son, I could help many other mothers get the best therapies for their children. I live with his loving memories and the beautiful kids that surround me. I now work for children with special needs. I look forward to Monday mornings, as spending time with these children gives me pure and love-filled energy, and my heart is always full of love and bliss.

I have my heart and soul in this and this is now my world. Watching these children take baby steps towards becoming independent, is heart warming. This is what fills my heart with joy and a kind of inner peace and contentment. These challenged children and the young therapists, are my family. I am now privileged to help and hold hands of these children and do our best to get them become as independent as they can become. My day starts with a thanksgiving prayer to the One Supreme Being or Energy and ends with a thank you. These purest of hearts give me unconditional love. I celebrate my son’s life each day, as every moment is linked with his beautiful memories, and continue to live with an attitude of gratitude.

By giving thanks for what I have in life, makes my own blessings multiply. It felt like life had knocked me down, when he left us, but spirituality and acceptance helped me go right back to motherhood with all its loving world and joy.

8. Advice for other women?

My message to other women is: no matter what happens we are all capable of overcoming adversities and must continue sharing kindness, love and compassion with all our fellow human beings. Life is beautiful, although challenging. The sooner we accept these challenges and face them, the faster we heal. Being of service to others is all that is required to continue to remain happy and be alive!

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

My mom has been my inspiration. She was ahead of her times and started school at age eight, when girls were not allowed to obtain education. Coming from a conservative Hindi speaking family, she learned to read and write English. After topping all classes, she went to medical school and passed with every trophy and all the gold medals. She then brought up and educated five daughters and a son. She feared nothing.

My dad was her best friend and he supported her through every struggle, including the horrendous partition of India in 1947. She stood for every human’s rights and believed in education for girls. She is my WOW woman who taught me to believe in myself. Having worked untiringly as an OB-GYN until age 86, she passed away three years ago, at 97.

If she could do it decades ago, we today have everything and so much more. Women can and must achieve any and every thing they aspire. We can become all that we wish and a lot, lot more. Every woman must follow her dreams. Be the person you are and follow your heart. Never say never and be honest with yourself. Never give up and keep moving forward towards your goal, without looking backwards.

10. Where in the world do you feel tallest?
I can feel the tallest in any situation as long as I can control my mind. This is what we all must learn. Lets change how we think about ourselves, others, and life situations. Make life a beautiful one for ourselves and the world looks and becomes beautiful too. My happy place is where there is love, peace and honesty. Change yourself and the world changes.

11. What extra-curricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

I enjoy nature walks, painting, reading and amigurumi (a Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures) which is my newest hobby. As I am getting older I wish to stay active with yoga, walks and a healthy lifestyle, so that I have quality of life until I move on from this beautiful journey of life. I love to spend quality time with family and friends and I continue to reach out to those who need help in any way I can.

12. What are your future goals?

At 65, I still feel I have a lot to do. I will reach out to many more. I will share my love and my time with those who are in need. I wish to be of service to others until my last day in this beautiful world.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

My loss has taught me to overcome my fears, as the biggest fear for all is loss of a loved one. I feel I have faced it positively, now I need to remain positive and be of service to others.

14. Anything you would do differently if you had another go at life?

Honestly its been a beautiful journey and I would not change it for anything. I have learned the art of acceptance and have always been bestowed with abundance in life. Loss of parents feels the toughest. Yes, losing my son left us all broken; and the pain of not having him around will never go away. But could anyone have changed that? 

15. What inspires you?

I am most inspired by people who are strong and honest in real life situations, fearless and always ready to face the world head on with grace and love. And have the ability to empower all those who connect with them.

16. What are you hopeful about?

I am hopeful for a better and peaceful world. War and loss of life has done too much harm and must stop. I definitely pray and hope that our kids and grand kids live in a safer world without guns and anger.

17. What are some of the ingredients of a good life?

Spend time among those who love you and are happy to be with you. Be passionate about everything you do in life. Enjoy and be content with whatever you have. One must have just enough of everything. Good, happy and blissful thoughts are the ones that take you the longest distance. Fear and anger have no place in any human being’s life. Never ever try to change others, be the change yourself. Make good friends and stay connected. And learn to face various challenges.

18. What are the qualities you love most about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?

In most difficult situations or any emergency I remain calm. I realize that stress is self-created and self inflicted. I become completely in charge of my inner self. Once I accept my responsibilities I invariably start exploring ways to address the situation and I look for solutions. I always try to become part of the solution.

19. What advice would you give your 14 year old self?

Learn the ways of controlling your mind and practice yoga. We have always been taught the ways of the outer world. One should learn something about the spirit and become more in control of the inner self. Then living this life with all its challenges is like travelling through the waters of life on a boat with its ups and downs, but never ever capsizing.

20. What are you reading now and what are your favourite reads?

As I was growing up I loved to draw, sketch and paint and this was my way of expression. We had no technology when we were growing up, so we all grew up reading good books. Must say I was not passionate about reading as a little girl but could not stop listening to stories from my paternal aunt. I could sit listening to endless stories for hours. My favourites now are books about life and spirituality.

21. Who is your WOW Woman?

A woman who walks tall and goes through all the challenges life presents her, as she grows from a little girl, to being a good daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother and deserves to be saluted. I salute every woman in the world and in my mind each one is a WOW Woman in life. I know my mom will always remain my WOW Woman.

22. Where can others find you/or your work?

My personal email is - vinita. kumar@gmail. com

My work email is - sarahanaswd@gmail. com

Every woman must follow her dream at any age. Follow your heart, never say never and be honest with yourself. Never give up and keep moving forward towards your goal, without looking backwards.