Salil (name changed), a little boy aged 6 years from Subhashgram (about 20 miles from Kolkata), was admitted to Hope Hospital in March 2016 by his mother. He was diagnosed with malnutrition; his mother had not realised that Salil was being tortured by her husband while she was out working all day. Salil’s stepfather was addicted to alcohol and marijuana and stole money from Salil’s mother to buy drugs; he would often beat up Salil and his mother. Eventually he threw them out of the house. Salil was then taken to live with his grandmother who lived in a very confined space with five other people. She could not look after Salil properly, leaving him alone all day where he was physically and mentally abused by the neighbours.

When his mother brought Salil to Hope Hospital, he was in an appalling state. However, with loving attention and proper medical treatment, Salil became well again within one month. Since his mother felt he would be happier in a protection home, Salil’s case was put up to the Children’s Welfare Committee, who gave out the order for his rehabilitation at Crisis Intervention Centre (Male), after which he went to Hope’s Ashirbad Boys home; he has been going to school cheerfully, all this year.