The inspiration that marked the foundation of ECHO goes back to the days, when I was doing my Law in Pune University. Deeply introspective on the subject of children in conflict with law, my eyes captured sights of groups of half clad slender children with marks of tears on the face and dust-covered bodies being carried away by the railway policeman. I felt moved and tearful. "Why don’t they have a choice?" I asked. "What other options do they have?" It brought a lot of things to my mind. I had thought of going out in the field to work, with these children, but saw it as a

limiting solution. Something bigger had to be done in order to bring sustainable result.

The very origin of ECHO (Empowerment of Children and Human Rights Organization), was a response to my experimental research on the plight of street and working children  'An echo of the cry from the streets of Bangalore: A study on the problems of street children, a legal perspective’ undertaken as part of the post graduate studies in Sociology in the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague. ECHO came into being as an expression of this commitment and concern towards these children.

I believe that every child is precious and important. I further believe, children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection have the ability to grow into productive, self-sufficient citizens. This is the kind of child ECHO wants to give hope. ECHO takes pride in giving a new life to more than 3000 children in Observation Home and Juvenile Homes for boys and girls. In addition ECHO has reached to more than 6000 children, through different initiatives and programmes. ECHO renders service to hundreds of children by our reach such as.... ECHO-Sparsha at Kammanahalli, ECHO-Balagrama at Summanahalli, ECHO-Jeevodaya at Madivala (a home for girls); ECHO-Happykids a preventive programme in the slums of Janakiram Layout, ECHO-Spandana in Mysore etc.

In the eight years of our strenuous growth, there are certain things those stand out as long lasting and durable. Qualities that have made the organization, what it is today like: learning and evolving; forgoing partnerships, changing lives, influencing and improving policies and programmes, which will keep on inspiring its members to continue the work that it has started and the people who have shaped and helped financially.

My sincere thanks to those who have supported us always in our efforts to help the children in difficult circumstances.  I thank CORDAID for their continued support. I am grateful to Mr.Ton Groenweg from AMA/CMC, Fr.Bernard Kersten, Missie Procure and team, MIVA, Manos Unidas, Dr.Carlos and Teressa for nursing care,  Most Rev. Bernard Moras-Archbishop of Bangalore, Most Rev. Thomas A. Vazhapilly-Bishop of Mysore, Ms. Kumari Shibulal, Dr. Devi Shetty, colleagues of past and present and Norbertine Fathers for their encouragement and support.