Circumstances have, perhaps, matured the two as they do not reflect their age.

Lakhwinder said: “Within a year, we lost both our parents. My father died in an accident and my mother passed away six months later. We were staying with the family of our maternal aunt at Tibba Road after this. My aunt had said she was leaving us here so that we get a good education. We were later told that she had left us here forever. After spending a few days here, I do not want to go back. We are being loved and cared for.”

The eight-year-old says she wants to be a paediatrician and serve underprivileged children.

Akashdeep said: “I do miss my parents but even the people at the ashram are very affectionate. They have given me a badminton and cricket kit. I also love to swing and want to become a teacher.”

Sharwan Kumar, founder chairman of the NGO said: “We have started educating them in the Shishu Sewa Sadan a School of the ashram. The girl is in Class I and the boy in UKG. Both are very active and prefer to wear dresses of their own choice.”