Ashok Deshmane was born in the Parbhani district of Marathwada. Like many in the country, he grew up facing poverty, hunger and destitution. But he did not let that dampen his spirit. He got himself an education, a job, changed the course of his life and today he harbours an undying desire to help others in need.

With this spirit, he started his NGO, Snehwan in December, 2015. As a part of it, he decided to adopt kids from Marathwada belonging to families in which the farmers have committed suicides. Some of these kids are also from families who are in debt and are having a hard time providing for themselves. The ongoing drought has only worsened their plight.

He has identified 20 such kids between the ages of eight and fifteen from various districts of the region and will provide accommodation to them at a donated apartment in Bhosari area of Pune. He is raising funds on Milaap to ensure that they get an education and all their needs are met. “If you want the next generation of farmers to do something substantial in the near future, it is necessary to educate them. And just basic education is not enough. Teaching them various subjects like computer science, music, dance, painting, etc is needed. It is required that children are taught according to their talents,” says the 26-year-old who has completed his Masters in Computer Science.

So passionate is Ashok that he carries out his NGO activities in the day while doing his software engineering job at night. “I am hugely inspired by the social work of Baba Amte, Dr Prakash Amte and Sindhutai Sapkal.” The Pune resident plans on adopting more kids in future and take care of them till they can support themselves.