One day in 1995 in his village of Paunsi, East Medinipur, West Bengal, Balram Jhakar saw a child desperately searching for food from a garbage bin. He brought the orphan home.
During the last two decades, the journey which started by giving a home to one child, has culminated in what is today the Antyodoy Anath Ashram, which gives shelter to about 102 orphaned children.
Balram Dada as he is fondly called, did not spare any effort during the last two decades to provide them a place that they can call home – a secure base from which to receive a normal school education, including learning music and art. Some go on to pursue higher education.