Close X
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
ADVT 
Darpan Salutes

Beacons of Hope: Two Women Reshaping Lives Against All Odds—Sunitha Krishnan & Mangal Shah 

Shweta Kulkarni  Darpan, 17 Mar, 2025
  • Beacons of Hope: Two Women Reshaping Lives Against All Odds—Sunitha Krishnan & Mangal Shah 

This International Women’s Day, DARPAN salutes two extraordinary women whose relentless efforts are making the world a safer and more compassionate place. These inspiring warriors are fighting battles that many turn away from. 

Dr Sunitha Krishnan: A Leading Advocate Against Sex Crimes  

Being resilient is an attitude, and no one can define it better than the Padma Shri awardee Dr Sunitha Krishnan. From being a rape survivor to a warrior fighting for the victims of sexual violence, Sunitha Krishnan has dedicated her life to crusade against one of the world’s most heinous crimes.   

Humanitarian work came naturally to Sunitha. When she was only eight years old, she was teaching dance to children with special needs. By twelve, she was running schools in slums for underprivileged children. However, at fifteen, her life took a harrowing turn. While campaigning for a Dalit community in Andhra Pradesh, Sunitha was gang-raped by eight men who did not like the interference of a woman in their so-called ‘man’s world’ and raped her to teach her a lesson. 

Though traumatized by the incident, Sunitha refused to play the victim. “It was a crime committed on me, and if anybody had to be shamed… it had to be those who did it. I never felt like a victim, and that bothered people around me. A large part of my isolation and ostracization (by society) happened because I didn’t conform to the bracket of a victim; I refused,” Sunitha revealed in an interview.  

It is said that some of our greatest pains can become our greatest strengths, and Sunitha’s journey is a testament to this. Instead of falling prey to self-pity, she channeled her rage into fighting for other victims of sexual violence. In 1996, Sunitha started Prajwala, an anti-trafficking organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintegrating survivors of sex crimes. What began as a small initiative has become an unstoppable force, rescuing over 28,000 victims, rehabilitating 26,500 survivors, and preventing 18,000 children from falling into the trap of prostitution. 

Since the inception of Prajwala, despite several attempts made on her life, Sunita has been tirelessly working against sex crimes and advocating for stronger laws against human trafficking. Sunitha’s foundation also provides trauma counseling, education, and vocational training, and runs a survivors' support network called Aparajitha. But, the biggest challenge, she says, is changing societal mindsets. “The fight against sex slavery is not just about rescuing victims; it is about changing mindsets. It’s very fashionable to talk about human trafficking in air-conditioned halls, but it's not nice to bring survivors into our homes or workplaces. That is my biggest challenge,” reveals Sunitha. 

Sunitha Krishnan's story is compelling and inspiring, and we can’t help but applaud her courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to eradicating sexual crimes. 

Want to support Sunitha’s mission? Visit www.prajwalaindia.com to volunteer or donate.  

Mangal Arun Shah: A Grandmother to HIV Positive Children  

“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” This Albert Schweitzer quote resonates well with the warm and affectionate septuagenarian Mangal Arun Shah, fondly known as Mangaltai. This extraordinary woman has selflessly dedicated her life to providing a haven to over 150 abandoned HIV-positive children who had nowhere to go.  

Mangaltai was always inclined toward humanitarian work. Married at a young age, instead of settling down and doing household chores, she started providing home-cooked food for needy hospital patients and spreading awareness about HIV and AIDS. However, it was in 2001 that Mangaltai found her true calling. Mangaltai and her daughter, Dimple, were conducting an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign among sex workers in Pandharpur when they came across two abandoned HIV-positive infant girls in a cow shed. Their parents had succumbed to AIDS, and no orphanage or hospital was willing to admit the children due to the stigma associated with AIDS/HIV. Mangaltai recalls, “I was disheartened to see that no government hospital was ready to admit them. We also tried to contact NGOs for orphans, but they also turned them down. So, I decided to take care of these two little girls myself.” 
  
Realizing the dire need for a safe space for orphans infected by HIV, Mangaltai and her daughter, Dimple Ghadge, founded the Palawi Foundation under the Prabha Hira Pratishthan NGO. Standing true to its values, over the last two decades, Palawi has grown into a sanctuary for over 150 HIV-positive children, providing them with food, shelter, medical care, and education. 

Despite financial setbacks, Mangaltai continuously strives to provide life-saving medical care and education to HIV-positive children and destitute women. Over 6000+ children have found shelter at Palawi’s Care Home. At the same time, over 1.5 million people have been educated through their HIV awareness initiatives, and 38,000 underprivileged children have gained knowledge and skills for a brighter future. 

“Each child deserves to be happy, safe, healthy, and educated. At Palawi, we believe in empowering each child in our care home,” says Mangaltai. 

Her commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment, along with combating the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, is truly commendable.  

Visit https://palawi.org/ to support Mangaltai’s mission. 

MORE Darpan Salutes ARTICLES

undefined

Dr. Monty Ghosh: Shaping New Pathways in Addiction and Homelessness Care  

Dr. Monty Ghosh: Shaping New Pathways in Addiction and Homelessness Care  
Another catalytic project led by Dr. Ghosh is the National Overdose Response Service (NORS), a lifeline for individuals using substances alone. What began as an idea inspired by a patient’s innovative approach to virtual support has blossomed into a nationwide initiative. The emergency line aims to provide immediate support to people and ensure that they aren't using drugs alone.  

Turning Compassion Into Action: Paritosh Pant’s Feeding From Far Fights Hunger, One Meal At A Time

Turning Compassion Into Action: Paritosh Pant’s Feeding From Far Fights Hunger, One Meal At A Time
In the early days of the global pandemic, chef and entrepreneur Paritosh Pant transformed his kitchen skills into a humanitarian mission, founding Feeding From Far to tackle hunger in India’s underserved communities.

Dr. Geetanjali Chopra: Ensuring Every Wish Finds a Home

Dr. Geetanjali Chopra: Ensuring Every Wish Finds a Home
Dr. Geetanjali Chopra, the heart and soul behind Wishes and Blessings NGO, embodies compassion and dedication to social change. A woman of many hats, a golden heart, and dozens of accolades to her name, Dr. Chopra continues to weave a tapestry of hope and change, building an equal society for all.

Sushama Nagarkar: Spearheading Empowerment & Inclusivity for People With Intellectual And Develo

Sushama Nagarkar: Spearheading Empowerment & Inclusivity for People With Intellectual And Develo
Emphasizing the core beliefs of YCT — inclusivity, acceptance, and empowerment, Nagarkar states, “It's important to build supportive systems around these individuals, recognizing them as valued members of society who bring value to the larger community. While they may have significant disabilities, our role is to support them rather than dictate how they should fit in. From the start, we focused on this approach and continue to do so.”  

Bina Sheth Lashkari : Opening Doors Of Education

Bina Sheth Lashkari : Opening Doors Of Education
For over 35 years, Bina has dedicated herself to providing educational opportunities to children living in the streets, slum areas as well as children from the most marginalized communities. Through initiatives like Door Step School and School on Wheels, Bina has brightened the lives of over 200,000 children, illuminating their path with the light of knowledge.

Manasi Pradhan: A Trailblazer for Women’s Rights In India

Manasi Pradhan: A Trailblazer for Women’s Rights In India

Today, Pradhan also spearheads the Honour for Women National Campaign, a nationwide movement to end violence against women in India. Pradhan has also founded Nirbhaya Vahini and Nirbhaya Samaroh.

PrevNext