After a wait of 14 long years, HIV orphans celebrated Diwali this year without powercut at the Happy Indian Village (HIV) in Hasegaon, Ausa Taluka, located 16 km from Latur. The credit goes to a Good Samaritan and a charitable trust based in Mumbai, that provided them with solar panels for free.

But the real hero is Ravi Bapatle, 45, who runs Sevalay (a project started for HIV minors) and Happy Indian Village (for adults). His story has been inspiring many across India. Bapatle claims he was boycotted by his family and villagers after he performed the last rites of an orphan child who died of HIV in 2006. After that incident, Bapatle dedicated his life to HIV orphans. “For the first time this year, we did not face any power failure. Earlier, we used to end up having dinner using kerosene lamps and candles. This Diwali was brighter for sure,” Bapatle said.