Deepa was adopted by Literacy India in 1999. Her parents are poor and they migrated to Palam Vihar from a remote village in Utter Pradesh. She is born out of suffering, father an alcoholic and resorts to beating his wife everyday. Deepa has grown up in these circumstances, seeing her state, mother decided to leave Deepa in a remote village of U.P., to which Capt. Indraani Singh objected and decided to sponsor her in Hindi Medium Public School. Deepa was admitted to a Hindi Medium Public School because of her Hindi background. The mother earns a little to support the family of 4 members. This girl has showed gradual improvement every year and this year she stood first in the class five of the school scoring an aggregate of 80 %. She is by all means the winner of this year. A Little encouragement to this girl can mean a bright student in the humble environment and Literacy India is trying its best to come up to the expectations of the donors.

Mansa belongs to Palam Vihar in Gurgaon. Living in a temporary accommodation in half-built garage with per parents and three sisters, a cousin and a uncle altogether 8 people sharing a small living space. Her mother is a maid servant but most of the time out of work. Her father works as a security guard and sells vegetables and does odd jobs to make ends meet for the family Ma as had never been to school and per parents were not planning to send her to one. The future planned for her was a sweepers and perhaps a maidservant if she was lucky. But luck came in another form as Literacy India; a non-profit NGO spreading the message of education and literacy in Gurgaon Distt. Volunteers from Literacy India counseled and persuaded Mansa's parents to let her study in a school, which they hesitatingly agreed.

She was enrolled under Literacy India's PATHSHALA project where she received formal primary education for two - three hours every day. She was given new clothes and nutritious meal every day. She had the opportunity to participate in excursions organized by the NGO and very soon was a regular student. Sensing the Mansa had potential, Literacy India sponsored her for regular education in St. Soldier Public School (An English Medium School) in New Palam Vihar across the railway line, Gurgaon with all expenses being borne by the NGO. (Rs. 7000/- per year) Kapil Dev also sponsored her for one year.

There, Mansa showed keen interest in other activities like painting and theater. She was enrolled in Literacy India's SHIKSHARTH Project, which attempts to nurture individual talent in performing arts. She participated in various theater workshops and her dreams to be a " star " was realized when she was selected in Literacy India's production" Alibaba aur Challis Chor ". She got the opportunity to travel to Kolkata where this play was staged and received overwhelming response.

A Girl who had not ventured beyond her native village had fascinating journey of discovery 1250 Kms from her home, where she enjoyed local sightseeing tram rides. For her it was truly a dream come true.

More was to follow on her return. She was spotted by Ad-agencies and auditioned for teleserails and child model ad assignments and has how short-listed. And any day she may get a call…………..

She is happy that she achieved some thing, saw her name in newspaper, traveled afar, not what other children in her village could do. Now 11, a regular student of Class VI, she dreams of being a Doctor some day and maybe acting in movies; who knows? The reality is that she had potential and all she needed was an environment and helping hand. She has changed her own life and that of her family who are truly proud of her. She has something to look forward to in her life and is happy that she will be able to shape her own destiny. Literacy India will be with her all the way.