Introduction

Poulomi Pavini Shukla is a lawyer, writer and a humanitarian, who is profoundly committed to the cause of Orphans in India. A Wharton School alumnus, she also takes immense interest in researching economic theories and is a keen follower of court proceeding in the areas of policy formulation and judicial activism.

She often finds herself gravitating towards writing, reading and traveling when she rarely finds times apart from social causes, which take the better of her.

Her passion for uplifting the undermined, humans and animals alike, amplified her resolve to take causes, one at a time, and back them up with concrete steps. Her quest towards an equal and harmonious society led her to research and co-author the book “Weakest on Earth- Orphans in India”, describing the stigma of Orphans in the country. This book is an ambitious attempt at identifying the system loopholes and government negligence towards the plight of orphaned, desiccated, and street children in India.

The book took shape after she strenuously researched, contacted relevant Government authorities, comprehended available UNICEF data & details, and traveled to orphanages pan India. Her intensive research and hard work led her to some shocking and stigmatizing details around the treatment of 20 million orphans in India meted with no justice for decades. This further strengthened her resolve.

An avid fighter by nature, she didn’t stall her efforts at the book and in 2015, elevated her endeavors by petitioning all-state governments and the Supreme Court to bring about a paradigm shift in the life of these children. She was lauded and featured in various publications and news channels alike for her exemplary devotion and a strenuous will to challenge injustice thereby championing her cause.

Poulomi’s belief in a fair society that propagates equally opportunity and protection to the weak, voiceless, and misfortunate children of the State furthered with time and turned into a movement that involved everyone around her. Post her engagement with the cause, various state governments are steadily realizing their role as a parent to these orphans and are contributing towards a sustainable solution. Her determination has translated into exemplary contribution, although, the mammoth in the room will only be addressed with the positive verdict from the Supreme Court towards the PIL filed by her, that can end this misery by offering a permanent solution. She motivates those around her and exudes a hope of attaining a society that actively participates and voices its concern towards the critically needed social and political reforms to bring about transparent changes in the labyrinth of a democratic structure and pave way for a future that is inclusive and unprejudiced.