A must read

There have been many books and news articles published about our Founder, Dr Girish Kulkarni and his incredible journey in starting our Ahilyanagar-based organisation. The most recent, Up Against Darkness, by Medha Deshmukh Bhaskaran, (Sakal Publications, 2023), brilliantly captures the journey with intensive research and references as well as interviews with Girish, his wife Prajekta and many of the main players involved in Snehalaya’s success in empowering the most marginalised in our communities.

Medha was invited to an adoption ceremony at our Snehankur project and, overwhelmed to hear Girish tell his story, was compelled to put pen to paper to share it. She spent months speaking with our team creating a series of personal stories and facts to document the incredible work Snehalaya does. From the rescuing of trafficked people sold to brothels, rehabilitating rape survivors, sheltering and educating orphaned children to helping HIV/AIDS patients in need or safeguarding neglected and abandoned children. Up Against Darkness not only documents the various lives that have been transformed by the work that Snehalaya does but also shares a glimpse of everything that goes into running an organisation that primarily deals with the marginalised. She also chose to dedicate the book to Lata Pawar, one of the first sex workers who helped Girish start the journey of Snehalaya.

Medha says: “I met Girish Kulkarni and his wife Prajakta Kulkarni when they invited me to Snehankur for an adoption function. I learnt about the humongous humanitarian work the couple had done.  Their sacrifices and the dangers they faced while saving and rehabilitating people for more than thirty years, made me rethink my perception of the Ahmednagar people.  I realised that their stranger-than-fiction story had not been written in English. It was 2019, and in an impromptu manner, I asked Girish if I could write a book based on their life and their life’s work. He said ‘YES’.

“It was not easy. I had to interview several people for hours. Visit red-light districts and go ballistic for the ‘truth’. I needed to study the laws concerning women and children, human trafficking and the rights of persons pushed in the sex trade. I had to grasp the projects of Snehalaya to hit the keyboard and write.”

From a young age, Medha has dabbled in poetry in Marathi and English. She is a prolific and diverse author having previously published a best-selling biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Challenging Destiny (The Write Place, 2016), nominated in two categories at the Raymond Crossword Book Awards 2017. Another book, Prescription of Life (The Write Place, 2018), shared her personal experiences on the sensational world of pharmaceuticals and medicines. Medha is a microbiologist and has worked for food and pharmaceutical companies in marketing as well as business development in countries like Germany, India and the United Arab Emirates.

Other books include Frontiers-a Relentless Battle between Aurangzeb and Shivaji (Penguin Random House, 2018) and Life and Death of Sambhaji (Penguin Random House, 2021). She has also written articles on a variety of subjects for leading newspapers in India (Indian Express) as well as in the Gulf (Khaleej Times and Gulf News). She currently lives in Bengaluru, India.

Secure your copy now

Visitors to Snehalaya can pick up a copy of Up Against Darkness at our offices and it is also available in India via Amazon and Flipkart and the rest of the world via Amazon UK.

"Up Against Darkness is a very well-researched book and the way Girishda and Prajakta have started their work despite odds gives us hope that if the intentions are good then anything is possible. Medha, you have woven the entire journey of their work in a seamless and intriguing manner." - Anshu Gupta (Founder, Goonj)

"'Hands which help them are holier than lips that pray'. Anti-trafficking efforts through the helping hands of Girish Kulkarni and his teams are very well narrated in this book..." Mahesh M. Bhagwat, IPS (Addl DGP, CID, Telangana)

"Powerful, inspirational and a must-read ... You will never look down on a sex worker after reading this gut-wrenching book." Rashmi Bansal, Author of ten bestselling books on entrepreneurship and a mentor to students and entrepreneurs

"Medha Bhaskaran is a prolific writer who loves to write on very bold and untouched subjects and aspects in a lucid and realistic manner." Ranjan Kumar Sharma, IPS (Addl Commissioner of Police, East Region, Pune City)

“This riveting story that will move and inspire anyone who aspires for a better world." Satyajit Bhatkal (Director of Satyamev Jayate, CEO, Paani Foundation)

“EVERYONE must read this book! This poignant book unveils the harrowing reality behind the flesh trade, exposing the tragic cycle where victims often stem from within the same trade or endure the horrors of incest and rape. It serves as a crucial eye-opener, urging society to confront its blind spots and advocate for the redemption and renewal of those ensnared in darkness. Amazon reviewer