Bright Lights in the Darkness

A Festival of Success and Hope

(By Dr. Girish Kulkarni)

First and foremost, I extend heartfelt wishes to you and your family for a joyous Diwali 2025.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by illuminating homes to dispel darkness. However, at Snehalaya, our family of social workers, we strive to ignite light and hope every single day of the year, not just during the festival. The lives of our social workers working tirelessly at the grassroots are nothing short of extraordinary. While we celebrate memorable moments once a year, our team encounters and overcomes countless challenges and stories of resilience every week. Learning from these experiences imparts valuable lessons, transforming even the most difficult situations into opportunities for growth and success.

In this blog, I share some of the remarkable stories from the last four months—stories of light piercing through darkness, of success, and of new beginnings. May these tales inspire hope and deepen your connection to the spirit of Diwali.

1. Before the Beginning…

In June 2025, we met Shobha, a 16-year-old girl from Ahilyanagar, Kharjat Taluka. She was rescued from her home, where she had been trapped in a cycle of unimaginable abuse. Over the years, Snehalaya has intervened in thousands of cases involving violence against women and children. Yet, Shobha’s story touched us profoundly.

When she was in seventh grade, her father murdered her mother before her eyes. Her father was convicted, and she and her siblings became orphans, taken in by her uncle. Tragically, over the next four years, her uncle and his three sons repeatedly raped her. She was often pregnant and forced into clandestine abortions. Her uncle, a criminal involved in organized crime, also infected her with HIV at the age of 15. Her HIV-positive status was unknown to her at the time, and her abusers also contracted the infection.

At Snehalaya, we began working with Shobha on her mental and physical health, offering counseling and legal support. Meanwhile, she developed a severe complication—a twisted intestine causing excruciating pain. We tried to arrange surgery in government and charitable hospitals, but faced rejection because of her HIV status. Dr. Sreetaj Jajurkar at Surbhi Hospital offered to perform the operation, estimated to cost around 150,000 rupees.

We reached out to the community through social media and WhatsApp, requesting financial help. Despite a prompt response from a donor willing to assist, funds remained short. Time was running out. Dr. Jajurkar agreed to operate, and after the surgery, Shobha’s life was saved. When she was brought back from the hospital, she looked at me with tears and said, “Many years ago, my siblings and I ate a piece of candy together. Today, I will eat a whole one.” Her resilience inspired us all.

2. A Second Chance at Life

On June 10th, late at night, I received a distress call from a girl named Sandhya. She was crying and begging for help, saying her body was bleeding, she was covered with rashes, and she was in unbearable pain. She told me she was in her late teens, HIV-positive, and living in a trafficking situation.

Sandhya was a girl we had rescued from trafficking at age 11. Her mother had died early, and she was forced into the sex trade by organized gangs. She was resistant to education and had run away multiple times. After a brief stay at Snehalaya, she returned to her traffickers, but later, with the help of our team, she was rescued again. Her social media accounts revealed a troubling picture—she was living a glamorous life online, but behind the scenes, she was being exploited and trafficked.

When we found her in a hazardous condition, dehydrated and severely ill, we immediately arranged for her hospital treatment. She was admitted to Cooper Hospital’s ICU, where she was diagnosed with multiple infections and complications. She begged us to save her life, promising to change. We arranged for her treatment and helped her recover.

During her recovery, we counseled her on safe living and the importance of health and education. Today, Sandhya is on her way to a new life, free from exploitation, with a renewed hope for the future.

3. An Unlikely Union: A Love Story

On June 5, 2025, we witnessed a remarkable event—a marriage that symbolized hope and acceptance. Gita (name changed), a survivor of domestic violence and abuse, and Somnath, a man from a distressed background, decided to unite in marriage at the Snehankur Adoption Center’s grounds. Their families had faced numerous hardships—Gita had escaped a child marriage and endured abuse, while Somnath had lost his wife to cancer.

Our organization supported their union, which was officiated by Guru Shaleesh Deshpande. The ceremony was attended by community leaders and our team, celebrating the beginning of a new chapter for these two brave souls. Over the years, Snehalaya has facilitated over a thousand marriages for orphans, abandoned, disabled, HIV-positive, widowed, and mentally challenged individuals—each a testament to our commitment to hope and human dignity.

4. Rekha’s Fight for a New Dawn

In 2005, we launched the Bal Bhavan project to uplift children living in urban slums. One of our most inspiring stories is that of Rekha, a woman in her late fifties. She lives in a small, makeshift home made of mud and scrap, working tirelessly as a street vendor and sanitation worker.

Eight months ago, Rekha’s vision began to blur, and she was diagnosed with cataracts. Her work became difficult, and she faced hunger and poverty. We arranged for her to undergo cataract surgery at Careing Friends Hospital, which cost only 16,000 rupees. Despite her hesitation, the community came together, pooling small donations. Her successful surgery restored her sight, giving her a new lease on life and dignity.

Rekha’s story exemplifies how small acts of compassion can transform lives, empowering even the most vulnerable to regain independence and hope.

5. A Beacon of Support: Asha’s Journey

In June, we worked with Asha, a 15-year-old girl battling severe depression and mental health issues. She had been abandoned by her family after her diagnosis of a mental illness. Our mental health team, led by clinical psychologists and social workers, activated the Manasgram Project.

Asha’s condition was critical—she was unable to move or speak, living in a locked room. Our team provided medical treatment, therapy, and community support. We arranged her transfer to the Penang Clinic, where she underwent surgery to treat her mental health condition. With persistent care and counseling, she slowly regained her strength and confidence.

Today, Asha is on the path to recovery, reintegrated into her community, and embracing life again. Her journey underscores the importance of compassionate mental health support for marginalized populations.

6. The Story of Isha—A Young Star’s Triumph

Isha, a bright and energetic girl from a disadvantaged background, was a student of Snehalaya’s Bal Bhavan. Despite hardships, she excelled academically and was selected for the prestigious ‘Super 40’ program. Her story is one of resilience and determination.

With guidance from our mentors and community leaders, Isha learned that success is not limited by circumstances but by perseverance and effort. She dreamed of becoming a doctor and serving society. Her journey continues with hope and confidence, inspiring countless others.

7. Building Homes, Building Dreams

On July 16, 2025, we launched a new initiative—‘Hakkacha Ghar’—aimed at providing affordable housing to the urban poor. In Sanjayanagar, Ahilyanagar, and other slum areas, we have built over 600 small, secure homes for families living in squalor and insecurity.

Our aim is to ensure every family has a dignified place to live, with access to basic amenities like water, sanitation, and electricity. During the inauguration, community members expressed their joy and hope for a better future. We believe that shelter is a fundamental right and a foundation for all other development.

8. Kus-Lav’s Journey to Italy

Every month, Snehalaya facilitates adoption and foster care. One of the most memorable stories is that of Kus and Lav, two orphaned brothers from a remote village. Their perseverance and courage led them to find a loving family in Italy.

On September 16, 2025, their adoption was formalized in a special ceremony attended by community leaders and their new parents. Their journey symbolizes the power of compassion and the importance of giving children a second chance at life.

9. From Darkness to Light: The Rescue of Prabhuji

On September 22, 2025, our team rescued Prabhuji, a young man confined in a small, dark room for six years. His family had kept him locked away due to his mental illness, neglecting his basic needs.

Our mental health team, led by expert psychiatrists, intervened swiftly. We broke open the door, provided medical care, and began the process of rehabilitation. Today, Prabhuji is on the path to recovery, with a renewed sense of self and a new beginning.

---

Epilogue: A Festival of Hope

Every success story, every life transformed, is a celebration of hope and humanity. These stories remind us that even in the darkest darkness, a single lamp can dispel the gloom. As Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, our journey at Snehalaya embodies this victory every day.

May these stories inspire you to continue spreading light, kindness, and hope in your community. Let us remember that every small act of compassion can illuminate lives and build a brighter future for all.

Happy Diwali!