Rohit Devrani, 20 years of age, is a resident of Kotdwar, Pauri Garhwal Uttarakhand. Rohit completed his class 12 from Government Intercollege in Pauri and scored 1st division with 66%. He went on to graduate with a bachelor’s in arts from Dr. Pitambar Dutt Bartwal, Himalaya Govt. PG College, Kotdwar. Due to severe neurological complications, Rohit’s father hasn’t been able to contribute to the family income since 2014. In the village, the mother is a marginal farmer. The family is dependent on the elder sister, 27 years of age, working in Gurgoan in a company. She takes care of the family on a low paid income. The elder brother works in Chandigarh; however, doesn’t support the family.

Rohan, a 23-year-old young individual with an intellectual disability, lives in a rented house with his parents. His father, Rajesh, works as a cleaner, while his mother, Rani, is a homemaker. Life has not been easy for Rohan and his mother. Much of his father’s earnings were spent on alcohol, creating a tense and often difficult home environment. Despite these challenges, Rohan and his mother managed to endure, though the struggles took a toll on Rohan’s development and behavior. In September 2019, Rohan’s life took a turn for the better when he joined our Special Needs centre. When Rohan first arrived at Aasraa, he faced many obstacles. Though he was physically capable of walking, his speech and manner of dressing were not age appropriate. Simple concepts like the days of the week, months, colors, and currency were foreign to him, and he found it difficult to follow instructions. Recognizing the depth of Rohan’s challenges, the special educators at the Special Needs Centre worked tirelessly to create an Individual Education Plan for his development. Gradually, positive changes started to appear in Rohan’s life. With guidance and patience, Rohan began to show interest in learning and took on responsibilities Rohan, a 23-year-old young individual with an intellectual disability, lives in a rented house with his parents. His father, Rajesh, works as a cleaner, while his mother, Rani, is a homemaker. Life has not been easy for Rohan and his mother. Much of his father’s earnings were spent on alcohol, creating a tense and often difficult home environment. Despite these challenges, Rohan and his mother managed to endure, though the struggles took a toll on Rohan’s development and behavior.

In September 2019, Rohan’s life took a turn for the better when he joined our Special Needs centre. When Rohan first arrived at Aasraa, he faced many obstacles. Though he was physically capable of walking, his speech and manner of dressing were not age appropriate. Simple concepts like the days of the week, months, colors, and currency were foreign to him, and he found it difficult to follow instructions. Recognizing the depth of Rohan’s challenges, the special educators at the Special Needs Centre worked tirelessly to create an Individual Education Plan for his development. Gradually, positive changes started to appear in Rohan’s life. With guidance and patience, Rohan began to show interest in learning and took on responsibilities at both home and the centre. He learned how to recognize the days of the week, months, and colors, and even grasped the concept of time. He was also taught how to manage small amounts of money, and soon became capable of making purchases of up to 100 rupees on his own. His growing confidence and newfound skills enabled him to secure a job as an assistant at a nearby shop where he earns INR 4000. Rohan has become a responsible and contributing member of his household, no longer dependent on others but proudly sharing in the duties that help keep his family afloat at both home and the centre. He learned how to recognize the days of the week, months, and colors, and even grasped the concept of time. He was also taught how to manage small amounts of money, and soon became capable of making purchases of up to 100 rupees on his own. His growing confidence and newfound skills enabled him to secure a job as an assistant at a nearby shop where he earns INR 4000. Rohan has become a responsible and contributing member of his household, no longer dependent on others but proudly sharing in the duties that help keep his family afloat

Shyam grew up in a household where financial challenges were a daily reality. father, Heera Lal Sahni, works as a laborer, while his mother, Sunaina Devi, dedicates her time to taking care of their home. He is the youngest of five siblings—two brothers who now have jobs and two sisters who are married. Even as a child, Shyam was known for his curious mind and determination to rise above his circumstances. Despite the financial hardships his family faced, he remained unwavering in his pursuit of excellence.

With Aasraa’s support, Shyam’s academic journey truly began to soar. In 2016, when Shyam was in the 9th grade, Aasraa identified his academic acumen and got him admitted in one of the best schools in Dehradun PYDS where he completed his class XII. Shyam excelled in academics from an early age. In Class XII he chose the PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) stream and secured an impressive 96% in his board exams. With dreams of working in the technology field, Shyam enrolled in DIT University in Dehradun, where he is now pursuing his B.Tech in Computer Science. Currently in his second year, Shyam’s commitment to his studies is evident—he scored a remarkable 9.5 CGPA in his first year. Shyam’s journey is a testament to perseverance, talent, and the power of education. From his humble beginnings, he has risen to become not only an exceptional student but also a well-rounded individual actively involved in sports and intellectual pursuits.

Tarun belongs to Dwarikhal, a village in Pauri Garhwal, a district in Uttarakhand. Unfortunately, Tarun’s parents were not around to see him grow up, so his uncle and grandmother were entrusted with caring for him and his sister.
Leaving behind his close family unit, which includes his now-married sister, uncle, and grandmother, Tarun came to study at Rajikeya Purva Madhyamik Vidyalaya hostel in July 2008, which was working very closely with Aasraa Trust. He studied hard, showed mettle and after finishing class 8, was admitted to a local English medium school.
Continuing his studies with support from Aasraa’s shelter home, he completed his graduation, having earned his B. Com degree. Tarun is currently pursuing MBA and has grown to actively contribute to Aasraa’s mission. He began his professional journey as an intern at Aasraa Trust’s head office in 2017. Today, he holds the position of Senior HR Executive with pride, utilizing his skills to support the organization’s objectives. Alongside his job responsibilities, Tarun nurtures a passion for photography, embodying a multifaceted approach to his personal and professional growth.

When you come from a place where the level of education had been neglected right from the time when the concept of formal education was introduced in India, you need to put in extra efforts to chase your dreams. Mukesh belongs to Dakiyarana, a village on the outskirts of Chakrata, Dehradun). After observing that the quality of education in the village is dismal, he came to Dehradun in search of hope and opportunities. He got admission at Rajikeya Purva Madhyamik Vidyalaya hostel in July 2008 where he studied hard, imbibed discipline and learnt to focus on his goals under the guidance of capable teachers. It was 2009 and Aasraa was at its nascent stage. A young child, brother of 6 siblings, found his support and shelter! He then devoted himself with ardour to pursue higher education. Mukesh completed his secondary education from GIC, Dobhalwala (Aasraa’s partner school) and today he is a graduate in B. Com, aiming for MBA in Finance. Today Mukesh is employed as a Senior Executive in the Finance Department of Aasraa. For him, being a first-generation college graduate, and in fact, the first boy in his village to attend and graduate college was a really big deal. Today, he is making sure that he is not the last! Mukul and Amla, his two siblings always count on Mukesh for his wisdom and support.

In the heart of a remote village in Uttar Pradesh, a young boy Ankit, just 21 years old, carried the weight of a lifetime’s worth of challenges. Ankit stood at the forefront of a family of six, the eldest of four siblings – two little sisters and a brother. Their dreams, their hopes, all hung precariously upon Ankit’s frail shoulders, as well as those of his parents.

Ankit’s father, with hands calloused from years of hard labor, toiled as a cook in a local eatery. His mother, an unsung hero of the household, devoted her days to nurturing her children. Together, they scraped together a meager income that was barely enough to make ends meet. Ankit completed his 12th grade from the Uttar Pradesh Board, but his journey towards a brighter future was still far. To support his family financially, he had taken up the responsibility of selling vegetables on a cart in the village. While the sun painted the sky with its golden hues, Ankit’s heart yearned for knowledge. With this hope he joined Aasraa’s Skillability Centre offering Tally classes, a software program that held the promise of financial stability. As time passed, Ankit’s dedication and hard work began to pay off. He quickly grasped the accounting language of Tally and showed remarkable improvement. His performance evaluations were a testament to his progress, and his grades began to soar. He not only excelled academically but also developed a positive attitude towards the subject. Ankit was not only focused on his own success; he also helped his fellow classmates whenever they needed it. With newfound skills and an unwavering spirit, Ankit is on the cusp of shattering the cycle of poverty, painting a brighter future not just for himself but for his entire family, who had always believed in the power of his dreams. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Applications, seeking opportunities to work at an accountancy firm, while also focusing on expanding his vegetable business.

Gunjan Malviya, an 11-year-old girl from a small village in Rajasthan, is a bright and talented child despite facing the challenge of hearing impairment. She comes from a family of four, including her parents and a younger brother, with both her parents, Sanvalt Mahender Kumar and Arpita Malviya also being deaf and mute. Due to lack of adequate school for deaf children in her village, Gunjan was enrolled in the Bajaj Institute of Learning for Deaf Children and resides in Aasraa’s Girls’ Shelter home.

Gunjan’s intelligence and determination have led her to excel in her studies. Beyond academics, she has a passion for dancing and coloring, talents that have earned her admiration from those around her. Gunjan’s journey emphasizes the critical role of access to education and a supportive environment for children with special needs. With the continued support of Aasraa and the Bajaj Institute of Learning, Gunjan is thriving and pursuing her dreams, highlighting the potential that every child holds when given the right opportunities.

Sunil, a resilient individual who has triumphed over significant challenges to achieve remarkable success. After clearing the IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) examination, Sunil secured a job as a clerk at Indian Bank in Allahabad.

His path to achieving this feat was not without obstacles; after completing Class 12, Sunil faced the devastating loss of his father. Forced to leave the shelter home where he had found refuge since 2014, he returned to his village with a resolve to carve out a future against all odds. Supported by the unwavering encouragement of his sister and brother-in-law, Vrinda and Kamal Kant Pandey, Sunil pursued his education through IGNOU’s (Indira Gandhi National Open University) distance learning program. Simultaneously, he embarked on rigorous preparation for banking exams, culminating in clearing of the IBPS exam in 2021. Today, Sunil stands tall as a source of pride not only for his family but also for his alma mater. His success is a testament to the transformative power of education, resilience, and unwavering support.