The potholed lanes of Girinagar are a far cry from the bright lights of the foreign lands Anuradha Bakshi grew up in as a diplomat’s daughter. Yet today, this 50-year-old has found her mission in life on the other side of the fence. Three years and a life altering decision later, Bakshi has rescued 600 slum children from the inevitable fate of being a part of the uneducated millions in this country.

The slums of Girinagar exposed her to the reality of children born on the wrong side of the socio economic divide, never getting a chance to blossom: Manu, the disabled orphan who no one cared for; children who government school teachers beat mercilessly for failing tests they were never taught for; and young boys and girls married off before any of their personal ambitions took shapes. Says Bakshi, “There were so many questions and practically no answers. That’s why Project WHY was born.’’

Bakshi got together 60 children from Girinagar by word of mouth and started classes in two batches. She had to liquidate her assets and seek help from friends to finance the initial investment on books and stationery. She smiles and says, “Today they call me the lady who turned sweepers into teachers. I found individuals from within the community who had managed to get some education to help me teach.’’ From 60 to 600 children, her new world has grown to include a crèche and special classes for disabled children, run by her younger daughter Shamika.