A Vision Born on the Streets of Pune

During a late-night visit to MG Road, Pune, the Founder of Sanmanas Charitable Trust encountered a reality that left a lasting impact. Among the homeless were elderly individuals deprived of even the most basic hygiene and safety. One sight, in particular, was deeply unsettling—an elderly woman sleeping on the pavement, covering herself with a cardboard box in a desperate attempt to preserve her dignity.

On another occasion, seeing several elderly people and children sleeping on the hard ground was equally disturbing. A few days later, a young girl was seen carrying a baby—barely three or four months old—in a cloth pouch on her back. They were exhausted, sleeping under the scorching sun without food or water. Both appeared famished and undernourished. It was a haunting sight. For a moment, I wondered what my plight would have been had I been that infant, wandering for survival. That thought was a turning point; I decided then that I must act to uplift these individuals and provide them with life's basic necessities. I want that child to grow up like any other, receiving a formal education and living a dignified life.

These moments were more than just heartbreaking—they were a call to action. For the founding members of Sanmanas, including retired Indian Army Officers, service has always meant protecting the vulnerable and standing by those who cannot protect themselves. That night reinforced a shared vision: to create a permanent shelter for the homeless and deprived, including senior citizens, where food, education, clothing, safety, hygiene, medical care, and compassion are guaranteed.

Hope4Nest was envisioned as that safe space—a place where no one is forced to sleep on the streets and where every life is treated with respect. This vision continues to guide Sanmanas as we work toward acquiring land in or around Pune to build a shelter that truly lives up to its name—a Hope for Nest (Nest4Hope).