Shaila Brijnath

Shaila Brijnath and Neelu Khanna have infused hope and dreams of a future in 1,800 slum children in Dehradun.

The Aasraa trust was started in 2009 under a bridge in Dehradun, as a small facility to teach the children of slum dwellers.

A 7-year-old girl was found begging in Dehradun in 2011. She had only one arm and leg, and was the sole breadwinner in her family. Today, she has a prosthetic leg, is a brilliant student of Class 5, and writes beautiful songs. All thanks to one Dehradun-based organisation.