A Tapestry of Compassion and Justice
From the dawn of 1990 to the twilight of 2014, I embarked on a sacred journey—a calling of the soul to stand as a beacon for the most vulnerable among us: homeless women grappling with mental disabilities. This was not merely work; it was a profound act of love, a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity.
The Wellspring of Service: A Confluence of Ideals
My commitment to this selfless path was not born in a vacuum; it was forged in the fire of India's most luminous humanitarian and spiritual traditions. The core belief that service to humanity is the highest form of worship became my guiding star, rooted deeply in the teachings of great masters.
The thunderous call of Swami Vivekananda—to find the divine in the suffering soul ('Daridra Narayana') and to dedicate one's life to the upliftment of the masses—provided the philosophical bedrock. It was a mandate to action, a reminder that the world's misery demands our energy.
Following this, the fierce dedication of his disciple, Sister Nivedita, who immersed herself completely in the service of India's poor, taught me that true empathy requires unwavering sacrifice and total commitment to the chosen field.
The principle of Mahatma Gandhi's 'Sarvodaya'—the welfare of all—and his unyielding focus on the last person ('Antyodaya') offered the practical framework for targeting the absolute bottom of the social pyramid. His emphasis on selfless action, or karma yoga, became the engine of my daily operations.
The evolutionary vision of Rishi Aurobindo and The Mother inspired a belief in the potential for psychological and spiritual transformation, even in the most broken human beings. It instilled the patience to see beyond the current state of destitution to the inherent divinity within.
The life work of Baba Amte at Anandwan, serving those afflicted by leprosy, demonstrated the power of community, courage, and unconditional love in the face of the most debilitating diseases. It showed me that compassion must be fearless.
Even the principled, non-violent resistance of Sunderlal Bahuguna and the Chipko Movement—an assertion of dignity and protection for the natural world—whispered a truth: that the marginalized, whether forests or forgotten women, must be defended with fierce love.
These monumental influences moulded my life's goal, transforming a personal intention into a mission to offer selfless humanitarian services to the most marginalized sections of society.
The Wounds of Abandonment and the Call to Rescue
My path led me to the forgotten corners of our cities: the cold, unforgiving pavements, the desolate platforms of railway stations, and the indifferent grounds of hospital premises. It was there I found them—critically ill souls, stripped of their dignity and left to the mercy of the elements. To these women, I extended every possible hand of humanitarian assistance, a simple promise that they would not be left to perish alone. I arranged free shelter, food, and hospitalization.
Many of these precious lives were drawn to the capital, Delhi, by the false allure of migration agents, a cruel mirage of a better life. Following unimaginable physical and mental torture, they were abandoned in unknown, deserted places.
Traumatized and bewildered, they were left with no means of survival.
Exposed relentlessly to the unkind people of the street, these women became magnets for disease. The acute psychological trauma led to a heartbreaking dissolution of the self. They lost the very strength to live like a human being. They were left to face death in its cruelest forms: besieged by maggots, ravaged by AIDS, TB, and debilitating sexual diseases. Worst of all, they were relentlessly hounded by predators—organ traders, sex racketeers, and pimps—who preyed upon these angels who had, by then, lost all hold on reality.
The Light in the Darkness: A Legacy of Thousands
My commitment became the rhythm of my life. I spent most nights on rescue operations, driven by an urgent, unwavering necessity. My mission was upheld by an alliance of compassion—dedicated volunteers, selfless good Samaritans, the support of the Police and courts, and the healing hands of hospitals.
In total, I was privileged to bring thousands of such women back from the brink, working hand-in-hand with hospitals to ensure they received comprehensive care.
My days and nights were an endless flow of activity: managing requests for rescue, rehabilitation, shelter, and crisis management. My pledge was absolute: to assist these women, and even their children, from the cradle to the grave, day and night, without fail.
The sight of destitution, this deepest curse on the human spirit, remains a matter of grave concern. My work was but a humble continuation of a tradition of boundless empathy, a path forged by the legendary Mother Teresa. The deep call of my heart was always reserved for the abandoned and the critically ill destitute.
My deepest gratitude is reserved for my beloved husband, dearly known to the world as Doctor Saheb, who spent sleepless nights in prayers for me while I decided to rescue homeless mentally sick women from the street; the brave and profoundly humanitarian soldiers of the Delhi Police, Haryana Police, and UP Police. I am eternally thankful for the unwavering justice provided by the High Court of Delhi and the Supreme Court of India. And finally, my honor goes to the three flagship hospitals that stood as bastions of hope and healing: the AIIMS Delhi Trauma Centre, IHBAS, and the Burns Ward of Safdarjung Hospital (now Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College).
Their partnership transformed a solitary vow into a symphony of saving grace, proving that even in the face of the darkest despair, the light of human kindness will always prevail.
