A Passionate Quest to Empower Orphaned Children

It feels like the plot of an inspiring film, but it is my reality. My wife Sangeeta and I have become the parents of 55 children at Majha Ghar, a shelter home we established near Budhoda village in Latur district. In a time when joint families are a rare sight, we have dedicated ourselves to a mission far beyond simply offering academic education. Our goal is to empower orphaned and underprivileged children, helping them become self-sufficient, confident individuals who can navigate life on their own terms.

Born in Wadgaon, a small village in Nilanga tehsil, I grew up in a family of eight, with my father as a farmer. While he hoped I would follow in his footsteps, my passion for education led me down a different path. A turning point came when I heard farmer leader Sharad Joshi speak.

His words not only revealed the struggles of farmers but also inspired me to pursue education as a way to change my future. Against my father’s wishes, I moved to Latur to continue my studies, taking on various jobs. I volunteered to teach children in local slums, growing my class from a handful to over 65 students with the help of biscuits and chocolates. My involvement in local journalism and civic matters deepened my commitment to social issues.

However, political and economic challenges led me to Pune, where I found success in the vegetable supply business, paying off my debts and earning a steady Rs 2 lakh per month. Despite the financial stability, I felt unfulfilled, craving a deeper sense of purpose.

Realizing my true calling was in social work, I left my business behind and, soon after, encountered a group of underprivileged children whose plight ignited a vision to not only educate but also equip them with life skills. I shared this with Sangeeta, and together we began our mission. Our first step was in Vantaklin, where we prevented a 14-year-old girl’s marriage through counselling. Sangeeta soon gave up her exam preparations to join me.

To spread awareness, I embarked on a 5,000 km cycle tour across Maharashtra, which was cut short by the pandemic. Meanwhile, we launched an initiative to empower 22 orphaned children in Vantaklin, later expanding to Ambejogai. Despite challenges, we remained committed, refining our mission along the way.

That vision materialized in 2019 with the founding of Majha Ghar. Initially, we housed 110 children, but today, 55 children, including 17 girls, live here. Our approach is not just academic; we teach these children vital life skills—farming, vegetable cultivation, candle-making, vermicomposting and more. Our goal is for Majha Ghar to be fully self-sustaining, so the children leave here not just with an education, but with the skills and confidence to become independent.

This year, we celebrated Diwali in a way that made us incredibly proud. The children raised Rs 2 lakh by making and selling lanterns, lamps, and scented powder. They spent two hours each day for the past two months creating over 100 bamboo lanterns, 1,500 clay lamps, and 5,000 packets of fragrant powder. It was a moment of triumph, proving that our approach was working: the children were not just learning; they were becoming self-reliant.

Looking ahead, we plan to expand Majha Ghar to accommodate 100 children in the next two years, and we aim to make the entire initiative self-sufficient. Our mission is clear: to provide not only an education but also the tools to help every child under our care become independent and capable of carving out their own future.

This is our journey, and we’re just getting started.

(The author runs a shelter home, Majha Ghar in Latur.)