Tral family finally gets some ray of hope; NGO comes forward to help two orphaned kids
The family of slain youth Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh (35), who lost his life on September 27 at SKIMS, after he was grievously injured when a grenade exploded in Tral market targeting a Ministers cavalcaded on September 21, has finally heaved a sigh of relief as a local NGO came forward to help Mushtaq’s two kids continue their studies.
Mushtaq’s young wife and two hapless kids had lost all hope after his death as he was the sole earning hand who used to feed his family. Working as a salesman at a local grocery store, Mushtaq had witnessed several loses in his business ventures which had left him penniless.
Mushtaq, who is survived by his wife, Fancy Jan (30) and two kids- Sheikh Muneeb (09) and Sheikh Ehsan-ul-Haq (06), both studying in class 2 and pre-nursery respectively at Sabir Abdullah Public School, Tral, was doing ever bit to provide support and education for his family.
With his death, it had appeared that his kids won’t be able to continue with their studies, given their financial constraints. The neighbours and relatives too had expressed their grave concerns about their future.
However, on September 29 ‘Kashmir Vision’ carried a news report stating the condition of the family after the death of Mushtaq, and soon after that an NGO ‘We Volunteers’ came forward and approached the family for the permission to sponsor the education for two kids, and also act as guardians for them.
While giving information about the development, Malik Asif Noor—Chairman ‘We Volunteer’—said that after going through the ordeal the family had to face, through a news story in ‘Kashmir Vision’, the members of the NGO decided that they should come forward to help the family, particularly the kids.
“The incident that rendered the kids orphans, is unfortunate, and should not have happened at the first place, but now that it has happened, we have got to take the responsibility,” he said adding “we will be taking care of all the expenses for the education of both the kids.”
However, when Asif approached the school, where the kids are studying, and apprised them about the development, the Principal, Arjumand Rasheed and the executive member of the trust, Shaukat Ali commended the NGO for the initiative and said that the school has also got some responsibility to share.
“I went to the school and met the Principal; they decided that the school won’t be charging any tution fees from the kids,” however, Asif said that if the school is going to take care of their tuition fee, the NGO will be bearing all other expenses, pertaining to their education.
“If at any point of time, the school backs off from their commitment, we will be there to take care of kids,” Asif assured.
While giving details about the family, Asif said that the condition of the family is indeed pathetic and they were in need of some help, “we did what we could,” he said.
The move has been appreciated from all the quarters of the society in Tral, and has been termed as something which has got the capacity to inspire others to do the same.
Chairman, Citizen’s Council Tral, Secretary, Traders Federation, Tral Payeen and President Traders Union Tral has strongly appreciated the move
The bodies said that the move will be helpful in shaping the future of these two kids, by making efforts to make it possible that they get—at least—quality basic education.
KV Correspondent
