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In Vengurla, district Sindhundurg of Maharashtra, lives a remarkable person � Maya Ambardekar, disabled since birth. Born on June 21, 1955 she can barely crawl on the floor and his difficulty in changing her posture. Getting up from lying position or climbing up a cot or chair is quite an exercise for her. But, resigned to her immutable fate, she presents a smiling face to the stream of visitors who seek solace from her through her forecasts. Maya is a self-made astrologer.
As an astrologer her father knew what life had to offer to Maya. He tried to teach the fundamentals of astrology to her, but she did not take kindly to this branch of science. She was more interested in needlework, painting and music. When her father died in 1985, Maya's small world was badly shaken. Left to her destiny, one fine morning she started reading horoscopes and giving people an opportunity to have a glimpse of future events. Today, astrology helps her to lead a dignified life. Since people have come to trust Maya's predictions.
Now she not only supports herself and her mother, but has also become as source of hope to numerous visitors who seek her help for knowing the future for a pittance. People would not mind if she raises her fee. But Maya is firm on this point. �I am happy to earn just sufficient to make both ends meet,� she avers. She even stitches her own dresses and repairs them-both as an economy measure and as a pastime. By her life style Maya has proved that a disabled person need not to be a parasite on the society; but can be a source of strength.
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