Doctor with a golden heart - Dr Sameer Choudhary set up 'Little Star Foundation' to provide home to orphan girls

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), India has approximately 30 million abandoned children, most of which are girls. Only a small percentage of these children receive institutionalised care or are adopted by families. An overwhelming number of children are left homeless, without any hope of a future.

Faced with such dire situations Dr.  Sameer Choudhary took up the responsibility to provide proper home to children, who are in desperate need of shelter.

Dr Sameer Choudhary, an alumnus of Saraswati Shishu Mandir Higher Secondary School Nai Basti Katni, Madhya Pradesh, is a practicing  pediatrician for the past 20 years. In the year 2005, he founded a female orphanage along with his wife, named ‘Little Star Children Home’, under the ‘Little Star Foundation’, to provide home to girls who were abandoned by their families. This foundation provides education, health care, shelter and vocational training to the girls till they reach 18 years of age.  

While talking about his experiences and struggles faced during setting up of the orphanage, Dr Choudhary shared a few instances that influenced him to take up this step. 

In the year 2005, a 2 month old baby girl in severe condition, was brought to his clinic by police constables. Someone had tied her up and thrown her into the river in the nearby village. A person had heard the sound and saved her from drowning. After treating and stabilising the child, Dr. Chaudhary asked the police to get her admitted to a government hospital. He was aware that there are no safeguards in  government hospitals, but legal issues associated with such cases deterred him.  

The government hospital was unable to treat her properly and she was sent back to  Dr. Chaudhary. He continued to treat the child and recruited hospital staff to look after her. After her recovery, the local administration was unable to make any arrangements for her to stay. The child stayed in the hospital and the nurses named her ‘Sameera’, after Dr. Chaudhary.  When there was no place for her to go, Dr. Chaudhary made up his mind to take care of her. 

Soon another abandoned little girl in serious condition was admitted to the hospital and was treated by Dr. Chaudhary.  With her future obscured in uncertainty as well, Dr. Chaudhary rented a house and placed the children there under the care of a housekeeper. In the meantime the district Collector, helped him to deal with the legal aspects. After the legal matter was settled, he talked with his wife and brother and decided to raise the girls himself.  Soon 50 more abandoned girls were brought to the orphanage and became a part of the family. 

Dr.  Chaudhary, never took any help from the government and used his own money to support the upbringing of the girls. Although many refused to help, few of his friends and family members pitched in with everyday necessities like milk, vegetables, etc. Slowly Dr. Chaudhary bought a land and constructed a building to provide a comfortable and safe environment to all the children. 

All the girls in the orphanage are treated like family by Dr. Chaudhary, and they are provided with education, dance classes, karate class, etc like any other normal child. Many children were adopted by loving families and found a good home. Gradually government grants also came in, which made it possible to provide better facilities to the girls. Many renowned personalities also come to spend time with the girls and volunteer to teach them different skills. 

For Dr. Chaudhary, the most precious reward for his efforts is to see the girls facing the world with confidence and following their dreams.  

The story of Dr. Chaudhary is truly inspirational and a role model for all Vidya Bharati students.

If you are a Vidya Bharati alumni and would like to share your story with the community, kindly email us at info@vidyabharatialumni.org and we will contact you back.