At a time when political influence often transforms personal lives, Rukmini Halagekar remains an exception. Despite being the wife of Khanapur MLA Vitthal Halagekar, she continues her long-standing role as an anganwadi teacher, placing early childhood care above the perks that come with political status.
Every morning at 9 a.m., Rukmini walks to Anganwadi Centre No. 149 in Topinakatti village, spending her day with rhymes, playful activities, and the cheerful energy of toddlers. She returns home at 4:30 p.m., fulfilled not by proximity to power but by the joy of nurturing young children. “I’ve been teaching since 1992,” she said. “My husband becoming an MLA doesn’t change my duty. These children are my world.”
For more than 33 years, she has been part of the anganwadi network, also helping rural families access schemes like Bhagyalakshmi and Gruha Lakshmi. Although the couple has no children, Rukmini considers every child in her care as her own and says she plans to continue until retirement.
Her dedication goes beyond her profession. When Vitthal suffered kidney failure, she donated one of her kidneys without a second thought. “She gave me another life. I can never repay her,” an emotional Vitthal said. Now serving as an MLA, he believes, “Power is temporary. Good work lasts forever.”
Vitthal, a former headmaster with BSc and BEd degrees, retired in January 2023 and won the assembly election on a BJP ticket after losing narrowly in 2018. He often credits his wife’s humility for keeping him grounded.
Locals admire Rukmini for her simplicity and warmth. “She is more like a friend than an MLA’s wife,” said fellow anganwadi teacher Jyoti Bacholkar. Gram panchayat member Laxman Tiraveer added, “She treats every child like her own.”
In an era where many political families lean toward privilege, the Halagekars’ story stands out as a reminder that genuine service lies in humility and everyday commitment.
