These young superheroes do not wear capes. They do not have muscles or extraordinary superpowers that make things fly or vanish. What they do have is strong determination and a good heart. They may not fight villains but they are headstrong to bring about a change in the society to make it a better place. They are kind and generous. They are kids. This Children’s Day, My Kolkata brings to you stories of real-life heroes who prove age does not matter if you want to be a Good Samaritan.
FurEver friend Debamaitri Biswas
Alongside her family, she prepares 10kg of rice and buys 5kg of chicken, fish, and biscuits daily to feed the animals
Debamaitri Biswas, a Class XII student of GD Birla Centre For Education, began her journey with stray dogs during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, when a female Indie, Grandma Lily, gave birth behind her home. A tragic incident involving local roughs setting fire to the bushes left Grandma Lily with only two puppies alive. Debamaitri rescued them, treating their burns and integrating them into her family. Later that year, she adopted another dog, Ghuntu, and her family of woofs and wags continued to grow. “My passion for caring for animals started in childhood, inspired by my family’s deep compassion for all living beings. It’s heartbreaking to see so many animals suffering on the streets without proper food, care or treatment, and that pain motivates me to do everything I can for them,” says Debamaitri.
In 2021, Fuchu, Lily’s daughter, gave birth to five puppies, and Debamaitri cherished the experience of caregiving during birth. In 2022, she saved Brownie, a victim of an acid attack. Despite severe injuries, Brownie recovered and now participates in adoption events and dog marathons, inspiring others to adopt stray animals. Debamaitri continues to care for 35 dogs and seven cats (yes, you read that right!) within a 5-km radius of her home.
Alongside her family, she prepares 10kg of rice and buys 5kg of chicken, fish, and biscuits daily to feed the animals. To manage the stray population, Debamaitri has overseen the sterilisation of 11 female dogs and facilitated puppy adoptions. “I hope to continue this work and plan to sterilise all the female Indies in my area. My parents’ unwavering support and shared dedication keep me going, especially when the work is difficult,” said the teenager.
Whisker-Warrior Ahona Pal
‘People began to recognise that animals, especially those we keep as pets, deserve respect, compassion, and an environment that nurtures their natural behaviour’
Ahona witnessed heartbreaking neglect and abuse of kittens in her neighbourhood. Moved by their suffering, the Class XI student of Ashok Hall Girls’ Higher Secondary School along with her mother provided food, shelter, and medical care, transforming little ones into healthy, playful cats. As Ahona raised funds and advocated for their welfare, she faced intolerance from some neighbours. Undeterred, Ahona found a haven, ‘Beral Bari’, a local shelter run by a remarkable 65-year-old woman. “The place was near my house, so I used to visit the cats frequently. Watching these kittens grow was incredibly rewarding. Each one had a unique personality, and seeing them regain trust in humans and embrace life anew filled our hearts with joy,” shares the Whisker-Warrior.
Watching the kittens thrive, Ahona realised her community needed education on responsible cat care. Ahona raised awareness among people about neutering cats after only their first litter is born, emphasising sensitivity to their natural life stages.
Looking back, she realised: “Our actions sparked conversations and inspired a shift in perspective within the neighbourhood. People began to recognise that animals, especially those we keep as pets, deserve respect, compassion, and an environment that nurtures their natural behaviour. The journey of rescuing those abandoned kittens was not only about saving lives but also about raising awareness and compassion in the community.”
Hope-Healers Devanshi Pagaria and Trisha Agarwal
The year-old initiative of the duo had successfully conducted a fundraiser football event in May 2024
Devanshi and Trisha, both students of Class XI in South City International School, are founders of a youth organisation of the school called ‘Stopping Scars’. The organisation helps victims of child abuse and works towards raising awareness. The girls have been associated with various social work activities like fundraisers, donation drives, mental health campaigns, sensitisation programmes etc. through the organisation. The year-old initiative of the duo had successfully conducted a fundraiser football event in May 2024.
“I have always been inspired to pursue social work due to a strong sense of empathy, the desire to make a difference, and sometimes personal experiences of adversity or witnessing inequality. In the future, I aim to create sustainable support systems, raise awareness, and empower communities,” said Devanshi Pagaria.
Trisha Agarwal wishes to channel this passion into projects that raise awareness of social issues and empower communities to create lasting change. She shared: “I dream of collaborating with like-minded individuals and organisations to amplify this impact. My passion for social work stems from a deep sense of empathy, a desire to create change, and moments in my life that have opened my eyes to the challenges others face. My lively nature fuels my passion, and I’ve always felt joy in helping others, which fills me with gratitude and purpose.”
Humanity Hero Tarinder Kaur
Tarinder served hot meals, sweets, and drinks to the weary shoppers and passers-by, regardless of their caste, creed, or religion
From doing langar seva at the gurdwaras with parents to putting up stalls for people and giving them free food on special occasions like Guru Nanak Jayanti, Diwali, and New Year, Tarinder has been involved in community service from a young age. The Class XI student of Ashok Hall Girls’ Higher Secondary School believes in sharing joy with people who can’t afford to celebrate festivals. As a child, she was tasked with simple duties like distributing plates, serving water, and cleaning the utensils. Little did Tarinder know that these seemingly insignificant tasks would sow the seeds of compassion within.
Years later, as Tarinder grew older, her involvement in community service deepened. She organised and participated in various initiatives, particularly during festive occasions. One such event was Guru Nanak Jayanti, where Tarinder set up a langar stall in a bustling market. Tarinder served hot meals, sweets, and drinks to the weary shoppers and passers-by, regardless of their caste, creed, or religion. The joy on their faces as they relished the food was a reward in itself. “This inspired me to join my community service group in school. My school has always encouraged me to take part in events and activities. Like the Tongapara community service programme, where we talked about menstrual health and self-defence in rural areas,” said Tarinder.
