Ashakiran 30 years of dignity & hope for special children
Jagjit Singh Sachdeva Ashakiran Special School, Hoshiarpur, has been a beacon of hope and opportunity for intellectually challenged children for over 30 years.
Established on May 1, 1995, by Asha Deep Welfare Society, the institution continues its noble mission under the visionary leadership of Patron Paramjit Singh Sachdeva, President Harbans Singh, Secretary Colonel Gurmit Singh and dedicated Principal Shelly Sharma. The school has transformed the lives of hundreds of special children and their families. For the children of Ashakiran, every day is a fresh start; for the world, it is a lesson in true humanity.
What began humbly in a single room opposite DAV Senior Secondary School with just four children, one chair and two benches—donated by Tripta Devi Sud and the Dr Shiv Charan Dass Sud Trust—has grown into a full-fledged institution serving over 110 special children. This includes 25 residents in its unique residential facility.
Today, the school sits on a sprawling one-acre campus generously donated by the Gram Panchayat of Jahan Khelan. The current building, inaugurated in 2005, is the result of community support and public donations totalling over Rs 5 crore—a significant rise from the modest Rs 1.68 lakh in the school’s early days.
Ashakiran caters to children with autism, cerebral palsy, multiple disabilities, Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, mainly those with IQs below 70. The school is more than just an educational institution; it is a sanctuary offering acceptance, therapy and structured development. Its dedicated staff of 40 includes qualified speech therapists, physiotherapists and special educators, providing holistic care to every child.
The school also extends its reach through home-based education to 140 children who are unable to attend in person, ensuring inclusive learning.
Patron Paramjit Singh Sachdeva told this correspondent, “Ashakiran was the first institution in Punjab to launch a Diploma in Special Education recognised by the Government of India. This two-year programme, with a sanctioned intake of 35 students, has set a benchmark for quality and employability in the sector.”
Achievements have become routine here. In 2025, Ashakiran won the Overall Championship Trophy at UMANG, a national-level cultural competition that showcased the talents of children often underestimated by society.
The school’s sports legacy is equally inspiring: Sukhwinder Singh was the first athlete from Punjab to represent India at the World Winter Special Olympics in Korea (2013), winning a silver medal in floor hockey. Jasvir Singh won gold at the 2017 Winter Special Olympics in Vienna. Rohit represented India at the 2021 World Summer Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi. In 2025, sports coach Anjana represented India as a coach at the World Summer Special Olympics in Berlin.
Beyond academics and sports, Asha Kiran empowers students through a sheltered workshop where children engage in vocational activities like making candles, incense sticks and kitchen napkins. These skills have led to real-world employment opportunities: Three students work at Sachdeva Stocks, one each at Sonalika, Hawkins and The Bike Store, twelve students are active in the Red Cross Wings project.
Principal Shelly Sharma states, “The institution’s motto — ‘Don’t show me pity, give me opportunity’ — resonates throughout the school. It embodies Asha Kiran’s spirit, a place where ability is recognised beyond disability.”
One of the school’s most unique initiatives is AASRA, a lifelong residential care project for special children whose parents may not always be present. This facility—unmatched anywhere else in India—ensures that children receive love, care and dignity even when caregivers are no longer around. Families bear the financial responsibility, while the school lovingly manages day-to-day nurturing.
In a society that often sidelines differently-abled individuals, Ashakiran stands tall as a symbol of inclusion, empowerment and compassion. It is not just a school — it is a movement, a mission and a miracle in the making.
Jalandhar