Water for Birds chronicles some of the trials faced by Annu, a former student who now co-runs the day-to-day operations of an educational centre in Varanasi run by local non-profit Guria, who fight human trafficking and multi-generational prostitution throughout North India. Annu embodies Guria’s transformational power. She is dedicated to the people of Varanasi, particularly those in the red-light district, and is an exemplar of intense personal growth.
However, she has not remained unscathed. Her taxing work has taken a toll on her health—her days are demanding and her nights are often sleepless. At one point in the film, her struggle is brought into focus when a distraught mother, caught in a quandary typical of the red-light district, comes to her for guidance. Annu must navigate precarious situations of this kind every day. They are part of the daunting task Guria have set themselves—of returning hope to scores of wounded children who are setting out to improve their lives.