It was not yesterday but 1983, 23 years ago. Today, Shanthi is married and lives in her own home.

"When I gave her hand to a man, I felt I was giving away my daughter. I felt terrible after she was gone."

In the last 23 years, many, many Shanthis have been picked up from dustbins, the roadside, railway tracks...

"What keeps me going is that innocent smile on the face of the baby, the smile of love and trust," he says.

Who actually is Vidyakar?

A saviour who offers a helping hand to the abandoned? A son to a lonely man? A God to an old lady? A brother to a mentally challenged woman? Or Papa to the kids? He is all this and much more.

Vidyakar is truly one of India's real heroes.

If you know other Indians who have made a difference to our country by their selfless actions, please e-mail India@60