For 104 children, Bhalla is messiah

In 2004, a six-year-old girl was raped in Surat. The media spoke about it, the common man winced, and then it was out from the public domain. The incident, however, stirred young Pravin Bhalla who took it upon himself to bring justice to the child. He and his 500-strong team of protesters organised a rally against Surat police.

Today, Bhalla heads Gujarat Vikas Samiti, which in last eight years has united 104 lost children with their families. This organisation runs on Bhalla's realty and diamond business and has its offices in 10 districts of Gujarat, headquartered at a house in Punadham area of Surat. This house is home to missing children found from all over the state. "It gives me immense satisfaction when I see a lost child back in his parents' arms," says Bhalla, who lost his parents at a young age. 

There were a few initial hiccups when he started this organisation in 2004. He simply picked up these children and brought them home. Police questioned his motives and parents didn't trust him. Cops threatened him with 'kidnapping complaints' to curb his activities.

However, Bhalla today has taken the legal course in his endeavour, teaming up with local police stations in every centre. When a lost child comes in police custody, Samiti volunteers take the child  with them to their foster home in Surat and look after them till their parents are located. "I have rescued 160 children in last eight years, but officially it is 104. Thirty kids were united with their families in the first year itself," says Bhalla.

State government in 2006 recognised his contribution to society and felicitated him during that year's Republic Day celebrations in Surat. Last month, he was honoured by DIG AK Jadeja, CID (crime) for his good work.