Their life and actions guarantee the safe existence of others. Thanks to their devotion and courage tens, hundreds, thousands of people were spared a terrible fate. Neither wars nor natural disasters nor terrorism can stop them. In Africa, Middle East, Latin America and other ends of the world they invest not only their time, resources and security but also the most valuable – their life – to make the world a better place to live.

Uma Preman is the founder of the Santhi Medical Information Centre, a charitable institution that offers medical information as well as financial and moral support to patients suffering from life-threatening medical conditions in India.

These people live next to us. They are modern day heroes.