Aasraa rescues and rehabilitates slum and street children, offering not just
education but full care – housing, medical, clothing and skill development to
ensure self sufficiency. The demands of caring for each child are far greater than
those typically associated with other services for street children.
Aasraa rescues and rehabilitates slum and street children, offering not just education but full care – housing, medical, clothing and skill development to ensure self sufficiency. The demands of caring for each child are far greater than those typically associated with other services for street children.
Our Story
Aasraa was established in 2009 by Shaila Brijnath, who had recently relocated to Dehradun from London after a career as an Equity trader. After Dehradun emerged as the de facto capital of Uttarakhand, it experienced a rapid influx of migrants seeking work and services. This resulted in the growth of over 128 informal settlements, primarily along the Bindal and Rispana rivers, where over 160,000 people live in precarious conditions without access to basic infrastructure.
Shaila saw the urgent need for intervention as children in these settlements lacked education, proper nutrition, healthcare, and were susceptible to substance abuse and addiction. Many turned to child labor, begging, or rag-picking to support their families, while those in government schools often dropped out due to poor learning foundations, systemic neglect, and no academic support at home.
She set up Aasraa and launched the Wings of Doon after-school program in the Bindal slum area with just 35 children.
Neelu Khanna joined her in 2010, and together they launched the Street Smart program in 2011, aimed at providing basic literacy through art, music etc and rescuing vulnerable children from street life.
Aasraa has since grown organically expanding its programs to address a range of issues faced by children in Uttarakhand.
So far, Aasraa has impacted over 28,600 children across more than 80 centres, in 3 districts of Uttarakhand: Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar and Pauri Garhwal.


About Us
Small Start,
Lasting Impact.
Aasraa Trust was established in 2009 by Shaila Brijnath, who had recently relocated to Dehra Dun from London after a career as an Equity trader. Witnessing the rapid growth of Dehradun as a major city, she recognized the pressing need for community intervention, particularly for the growing population of children in the slums.
She set up Aasraa and launched the Wings of Doon after-school program in the Bindal Bridge Slum with just 35 children.
Neelu Khanna joined her in 2010, and together they launched the Street Smart project in 2011, aimed at providing basic literacy through art, music etc and rescuing vulnerable children from street life.
Aasraa has since grown organically expanding its programs to address a range of issues faced by children in Uttarakhand. In keeping with our multi-pronged and comprehensive approach, the primary goal is to empower street and slum children through education, vocational training and skills development and provide them with nutrition, shelter and medical care.
Aasraa now has over 28,600 children across more than 80 centres, in 3 districts of Uttarakhand: Dehra-Dun, Udham Singh Nagar and Pauri Garhwal.
Our Approach
Education cannot exist
in isolation
Education cannot exist in isolation
Aasraa’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that a child can’t learn on an empty stomach, without access to healthcare, a safe home, or emotional support.
All of Aasraa’s interventions are designed with this philosophy in mind, creating an ecosystem where no child is left behind.
For 16 years, Aasraa has served society’s most vulnerable street and slum children, school dropouts, child laborers, children in need of care and protection, and young adults with disabilities. To meet their diverse needs, Aasraa has built a holistic model that combines education, shelter, nutrition, healthcare, mental health support and skills training.
Children enter education through Mobile Learning Carts, audio visual-equipped Learning Buses, and Community-Based centers that prepare them for mainstream or open schooling. As first-generation learners, they receive after-school remedial support to bridge learning gaps.
Shelter Homes provide safety and care, while a Centralized Kitchen delivers daily nutritious meals. The Medical Team ensures round the clock healthcare, and a dedicated team provides emotional and career counselling. A Special Needs Centre caters to children with disabilities. Outreach teams maintain strong community links to ensure parental involvement.
As the final step, skills training and access to higher education empower children to move from Street to School to Skills, ensuring continuous support at every stage and enabling them to become confident, contributing members of society.
Board Of Trustees
Our Board consists of committed individuals from across India. They wholeheartedly believe in
Aasraa Trust’s vision and mandate, providing unwavering support for our initiatives at every stage.
Our Board consists of committed individuals from across India. They wholeheartedly believe in Aasraa Trust’s vision and mandate, providing unwavering support for our initiatives at every stage.
Shaila Brijnath
Founder & Chairperson
Shaila Brijnath’s degree is in Education. She worked as a European Equity Trader in London, Paris and New York and was a member of the New York and London Stock Exchanges. She left Investment Banking to follow her dream of returning to India to work with underprivileged children. She founded the Aasraa Trust in 2009 to educate and nurture slum and street children.
Aditi P Kaur
Secretary
Aditi started out with a career in Hotel Management which she left to join the social sector more than 15 years ago. She worked at Shri Bhuveneshwari Mahila Ashram in Tehri ,Uttarakhand where she got her experience in working for the community. In 2003 she was one of the founding members of the Mountain Children’s Foundation that works with children and focuses on child participation and child rights in the state of Uttarakhand. She is also the Director of CHILDLINE an emergency helpline for children in Dehradun.
Neelu Khanna
Managing Trustee
Neelu, a qualified teacher & travel trade executive, left the corporate world (Singapore Airlines) to pursue her dream of working with the under-served. A social activist for the last 20 years, she is working for educational opportunity for economically deprived children. Based in Dehradun, she organized cancer screening camps for the underprivileged, (with the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Research Institute, Delhi) volunteered with Raphael for 3 years and now supports several projects which work with children from poor backgrounds.
Rahul Narain Bhagat
Trustee
Recognised by The Asian Banker on their List of Leading Practitioners, Mr Rahul N Bhagat is a versatile Consumer Banking professional with over 3 decades of experience. Mr Bhagat began his career at ANZ Grindlays Bank (1989-1997) before joining Bank of America as Vice President (1997-1999); then HDFC for 16 years as Country Head – Retail Liabilities, Marketing & Direct Banking Channels and in 2015 and was appointed by Vodafone India as CEO (designate) of their proposed Payments Bank in India.
Sonia Parshad Bhandari
Trustee
Sonia Parshad Bhandari is a Promoter and Director for Padmini VNA Mechatronics Limited. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire, United States of America. She has significant experience of more than 30 years. She is a philanthropist and a successful women entrepreneur who has immensely contributed to drive the CSR activities in the Company by way of contribution in various areas like Education and empowerment of underprivileged children, Protection of flora and fauna and Art & Skill Training. She is the Chairperson of CSR Committee at Padmini VNA and with her diverse experiences and insights, she contributes to major developments in the Company.
Advisory Board
The advisory board of Aasraa Trust offers strategic guidance to support our mission. Drawing on their extensive experience,
they assist with decision-making, provide insights on key issues and connect Aasraa with valuable resources and networks.
Their expertise is vital in shaping our long-term direction and amplifying our impact on the lives of the underserved.
The advisory board of Aasraa Trust offers strategic guidance to support our mission. Drawing on their extensive experience, they assist with decision-making, provide insights on key issues and connect Aasraa with valuable resources and networks. Their expertise is vital in shaping our long-term direction and amplifying our impact on the lives of the underserved.
Dr. Vibha Puri Das
Dr. Vibha Puri Das, IAS, served as Secretary in Government of India and District Magistrate of Dehradun
Ms. Shivani Anand
Ms. Shivani Anand, Lawyer, Alumna of Welham Girls’ School
Dr. B.K. Joshi
Dr. B.K. Joshi, ex Vice Chancellor of Kumaon University, Founder, Honorary Director, Doon Library and Research Centre, Dehradun and Member of Policy Planning Group, Uttarakhand.
Dr. Uma Tuli
Dr. Uma Tuli, Founder and Managing Trustee, AmarJyoti Charitable Trust, New Delhi
Mrs. Padmini Sambasivam
Mrs. Padmini Sambasivam, Principal, Shiv Nadar School, Dehradun
Amrit Burrett
Amrit Burrett, Director at Pukaar Sanstha, Dehradun
Mr. Uday Pasricha
Mr. Uday Pasricha, Founder Promoter, Intellectual Properties Int. Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai
Mrs. Mandira Rana
Mrs. Mandira Rana, Partner, G2020 Advisors Pte, Ltd. Singapore
Awards and Recognition
Excellence In Welfare
And Education
Excellence In Welfare And Education
Transparency
Clear And Comprehensive

Annual Report 23-24
My life is now illuminated by hope, thanks to a compassionate organization dedicated to transforming the futures of street and slum children like me.

Financial Report 23-24
My life is now illuminated by hope, thanks to a compassionate organization dedicated to transforming the futures of street and slum children like me.




