Tarabai Modak

Tarabai Modak
Bust of Tarabai Modak on Kosbad Hill, near Dahanu (Maharashtra)
Born	1892 Bombay
Died	1973
Occupation	Social worker
Known for	Preschool education (balwadis)
Awards	Padma Bhushan 1962

Tarabai Modak (19 April^[1] 1892–1973) was born in Bombay. She graduated from the University of Mumbai in 1914. She was married to a lawyer from Amravati, Mr. Modak. Later she got a divorce in 1921.

She worked as a principal of a Women's College in Rajkot. Being a social worker from Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Balwadis were first developed by her. The first balwadi was started in Bordi a coastal village in Thane district of Maharashtra by Nutan Bal Shikshan Sangh.^[2]^[3] She was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1962 for her work in preschool education.^[4] Anutai Wagh was her disciple.^[5] She was a member of the Indian National Congress.^[6]

Legacy

A play based on her life, Ghar Tighancha Hava, was produced by Ratnakar Matkari.^[7]

References

^ Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman (2009). "Tarabai Modak: India's 'Montessori' and the country's first pre-schooling expert known as "Montessori Mother"". Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
^ Singh. Preschool Education. APH Publishing. p. 7. ISBN 978-81-7648-757-3. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
^ R.P. Shukla (1 January 2004). Early Childhood Care And Education. Sarup & Sons. p. 106. ISBN 978-81-7625-474-8. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
^ Biography of Anutai Wagh
^ "Congress begins well in Bombay". books.google.
^ Rubin, Don (1998). The World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre: Asia. Taylor & Francis. p. 197. ISBN 978-0-415-05933-6. Retrieved 16 October 2010.