Pink City Kid: My life as a street child in India Paperback – 25 Mar. 2024

I can thoroughly recommend this book. It has probably had the most impact on me of any book I have ever read. It shines a light on the plight of street kids and the contemptible way they are exploited. For someone who has never read a book and can’t write, Naresh tells a compelling story, making the book hard to put down. It is testament to his moral compass and positive character in the face of adversity. It’s unimaginable how awful it would be to have to fend for yourself at such a young age, not knowing where your next meal is coming from, and not having a bed to sleep in or a roof over your head, while despicable people are trying to take advantage of your situation. Thanks to his tenacity, hard work, and with some support from others, Naresh has managed to change his life around. Naresh’s story has an uplifting end, which, sadly, won’t be the case for many of the street kids in the world. He has definitely been a voice representing them. It’s a very humbling tale. May I never complain of anything ever again!

The introduction from the Editor, perfectly explains the whole concept of this amazing book. This endearing piece of literature captures your heart from the start. It makes you smile, laugh and cry. Naresh was an amazing child, now a man. His kindness and spirit never faulted, even while living in the most unbelievable and dreadful conditions, and enduring unthinkable situations on a daily basis. I write no more, you need to read the book and be taken to the streets of India. However, I will finish by saying that this true story about a person with a beautiful soul, has a happy ending, but leaves the question why in this day and age, so many children and adults on this earth still suffer in this way, and in silence.

A truly fascinating read , thought provoking and insightful into a lifestyle so utterly different from our own. The writing style adds to the authenticity and we very much look forward to meeting Naresh himself soon. I would thoroughly recommend this book . Thank you so much Naresh see you soon !

I really enjoyed reading this book, we were lucky enough to meet Naresh whilst visiting the pink city, he is a lovely person and I found the book a fascinating read, I certainly think of him each time I see a man pulling a rickshaw or a child working hard to sell something for a few Rupees 10/10

This is the story of Naresh, a boy living on the streets in Jaipur. It is told in his own voice and is all the more remarkable because he could not read or write at the time. He describes his daily struggles to earn enough money to buy food for himself and his drunken father and how he often had to decide between eating or washing. His resilience and strength of character shine through and although his story is shocking and upsetting, he shows no anger or resentment and it is ultimately uplifting for the reader. Good luck Naresh with the rest of your life!

Having met Naresh by chance a few days before the world locked down I’m so pleased to see his story in print. It’s hard to read how appallingly people can behave, especially to children; but uplifting to see how Naresh has stayed true to his values and escaped from life on the streets. A great book. Thoroughly recommended.

This is not a work of literary genius but it doesn’t pretend to be one. It is an insight into another world leagues away from our privileged world. It is truly shocking to read what happened to Naresh and amazing that he managed to not only survive but to build a life for himself. Astonishing also that he maintained his sense of duty to his family. I hope his story does reach a wide audience and that it helps the street children of the world be more clearly seen.

A side of life westerners rarely see or think about, and a good read