As a child, did you always know what you would do?
I always had this tremendous love for animals and plants. From the time I can remember, all my memories are about connecting with cows, cats, goats. It’s crazy! And maybe that is what translated into my love for children. Because I never ever was a maternal person. Growing up, I was extremely clear that I would never want children. I could not imagine having a child. I was not cut out to being a mother. So now I am a mother of 37 kids and many more. Maybe that is actually what allowed me to become a mother to all these children. Because had I children of my own, it would have been very difficult to do what I am doing today.

Do you feel revolted sometimes against the way things are?
Yes, very often. I am not a saint. And there is so much negativity around. There are days when I stop and wonder why I am doing all this. Why bother. It happens so often. In those moments, I think I should get over this and go somewhere in the hills, take care of animals, do my readings, listen to music --- why am I dealing with human beings at all? But then because of my commitment to those children and their lives, I cannot walk away from it. No parent can walk away from his or her child.

So you are committed to them and to this place for the rest of your life?
Yes. And it is a scary thought. Sometimes I fear some of those children will not turn out to be good human beings. But I try and bring them up with a very strong value base, respecting all life forms, respecting diversity. I am convinced that half the problems of this country would actually be solved if children were taught to respect difference. So I am hoping that at least the kids who are part of our family will be like that.

... contd.