From Chains to Wings: The Story of Paru and Resham Sonkar

 🌿 From Chains to Wings: The Story of Paru and Resham Sonkar

— A Journey from Injustice to Inspiration

In the heart of Varanasi, where narrow lanes wind between humble homes, a story of pain, perseverance, and hope has unfolded — the story of Paru Sonkar and his daughter Resham.

Their journey began in despair but now stands as a living testament to how truth and compassion can restore not just justice, but dignity and dreams.

⚖ A Father’s Fight for Justice

Years ago, Paru Sonkar, a man of integrity and quiet courage, was wrongfully imprisoned — accused of a crime he did not commit.
In the confines of a small, dark cell, time stood still. His family — his wife Chamela Devi and their young children — were left to survive the crushing weight of poverty and stigma.

For years, Paru’s pleas of innocence echoed unheard. But truth has a way of finding its voice.

It was the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) that first took notice of his case. Guided by Lenin Raghuvanshi, with the dedicated legal leadership of Senior Advocate Tanweer Ahmed Siddiqui, and with international solidarity from DIGNITY: Danish Institute Against Torture, the IRCT, and the UN Trust Fund for Victims of Torture, Paru’s fight for justice began to gather strength.

After years of relentless advocacy, the day finally arrived.
In a small courtroom in Varanasi, the judge’s words broke the silence of suffering:
“Acquitted.”

Tears welled in Paru’s eyes as he stood tall once again — a free man, vindicated at last. His acquittal was not just a personal victory; it was a triumph for truth, human rights, and the power of solidarity.

“They tried to bury me with falsehood,” Paru said quietly, “but justice helped me breathe again.”

🌸 A Daughter’s Fight for the Future

While her father fought for freedom, his daughter Resham was fighting her own battle — against poverty and despair.

In their small home in Baghwanala, Paru’s wrongful imprisonment had left the family struggling to survive. His wife Chamela Devi cared for their children, including one who is mentally challenged, while Resham — still a child herself — helped with household chores, cared for her siblings, and tried to continue her education.

Her father’s suffering weighed heavily on her young heart, but it also lit a fire within her — a determination to rise above injustice through education.

“When my father was in prison,” Resham recalls, “I promised myself that one day I would study and help others find justice through knowledge.”

But poverty soon threatened to extinguish her dreams. Her father’s modest earnings after release, driving a toto, could barely cover food and rent, let alone school fees or books.

Then came hope — in the form of the PVCHR Scholarship Program, supported by Ms. Parul Sharma and 200 generous donors from Sweden.

The scholarship ensured that Resham could stay in school, buy her books, and continue her studies without interruption.

“The scholarship came like light in the darkness,” she says. “It told me that my dreams matter.”

📚 The Light That Grew Stronger

With support and renewed confidence, Resham began excelling in her studies.
She completed her 10+2 with first-class honors (74%) and became a symbol of what education can achieve even in the harshest conditions.

Today, she is pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree at Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi, with the dream of becoming a teacher.

Her next wish is simple yet powerful — a bicycle to reach her university, a symbol of independence and progress.

“If I can become a teacher,” she says, “I’ll make sure no girl in my neighborhood ever gives up her education because of poverty.”

💞 The Power of a Father’s Faith

Paru often watches his daughter leave for college each morning — books in hand, hope in her eyes — and feels his heart swell with pride.

“When I see Resham studying,” he says softly, “I feel that my suffering was not in vain. My truth gave her a future.”

Their bond is one forged in pain but strengthened by resilience.
Paru’s fight for justice restored his dignity. Resham’s fight for education is now restoring her family’s hope — and the faith of an entire community in the power of compassion.

🌍 Together, We Light the Way

The story of Paru and Resham is not just about one family — it’s about what happens when justice meets empathy.

Because of the combined efforts of PVCHR, DIGNITY, IRCT, the UN Trust Fund, and donors from Sweden, a man once silenced by injustice now walks free — and his daughter, once on the verge of dropping out, now dreams of teaching others.

“You didn’t just free a man,” says Resham with a smile. “You freed a family — and gave us the courage to dream.”

Each act of justice, each scholarship, each kind gesture ripples outward — transforming lives, strengthening communities, and proving that truth and education are the most powerful tools for change.

Because when you free one innocent person, you restore faith in justice.
And when you educate one girl, you light the way for generations to come.

✨Gratitude
To all who made this journey possible — Advocate Tanweer Ahmed Siddiqui, Lenin Raghuvanshi, Ms. Parul Sharma, DIGNITY, IRCT, and the UN Trust Fund for Victims of Torture — thank you for turning darkness into determination, and injustice into hope.