ragpickers

Hailing from the village of Lahawarpora on the banks of Wular, Bilal lost his father Mohammad Ramzan when he was in class 6. The responsibility of the family then lay on the shoulders of young Bilal.

Lakshmi Karunakaran, with the volunteers, has been conducting reading sessions with the children of about 200 families living in a slum.

Growing up in a destitute environment can be hard and soul-crushing for any young boy or girl. However, this young girl has refused to let her spirits be bowed down by her background, and is dreaming big dreams for her future.