The harbinger of this change is an innovative project, Gharte, initiated by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) that along with NGOs is providing shelter and education for the better future of children on the streets.

Launched by Municipal Commissioner Praveensinh Pardeshi to change the lives of 38 children at one centre in February 2008, the project now has under its fold 115 children in four centres. The final aim is to rope in all 500-odd children on the streets of Pune.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (Urban Community Development) Ashok Kalamkar said the PMC has put together a comprehensive approach that includes shelter, food, and clothes, education and inculcation of values “Various NGOs were working on the problem but the access to various facilities given by civic body and on-field efforts of social organisations is what makes this project different,” he said.

And the results are showing. Hasan, who comes to school with his two younger brothers, now says, “I want to study instead of wasting time on the streets begging or taking up petty jobs.”

Hasan’s teacher Sheetal Salve points out that initially, like other children, Hasan too had no sense of cleanliness. “Now, he takes a bath every day, wears clean clothes and more importantly stays away from bad habits.”

But all is not smooth sailing for the PMC initiative. Its first such centre in Bholagiri School in Rasta Peth lies vacant. “We were initially able to bring the children to school but soon some were running away, fighting amongst themselves or being taken away by their parents,” said Poonam Potphode, project coordinator, working at Bholagiri School.