Sunbird Trust

In a conflict-hit village in Manipur, teenagers aged 13–17 are writing rock and soul-stirring songs that reflect their fears, dreams, and healing. Born in a remote school, The Friendship Band is helping them find their voice — and hold on to hope.

After selling his stake in Terumo Penpol Ltd, which is one of the largest makers of high-tech bio-medical devices in the world, Balagopal Chandrasekhar went onto support a plethora of social development initiatives in Kerala and Manipur, where he once served as an IAS officer.

Seeing kids as young as four cooking, cleaning, and venturing into the forest to forage for food is what inspired Christopher Rego to build the first 'Friendship Hostel' in a remote Manipur village.