Khalsa Aid ferries over 300 students to Kashmir, valley opens up with offers
Srinagar: Days after Khalsa Aid ferried stranded Kashmiri students from Chandigarh to Kashmir, valley has opened up with discounts and free offers for the Sikh community.
In wake of the attack on CRPF convoy in Pulwama last week, the students in outside state colleges were physically assaulted, harassed and threatened to leave the state. For these frightened students, Khalsa Aid came as a ray of who provided them all the transport facility and shelter after the students fled from these states.
The students studying in Dehradun, Uttrakhand and Haryana were shifted to Chandigarh to escape the mob attacks. From Chandigarh the students were ferried in various groups to Kashmir by Khalsa Aid. The organisation provided all transport facilities to the students and ensured their safe passage to their home.
In response to this, the valley opened up with various offers for Sikh community in Kashmir ranging from free coaching to free medical check-ups and discounts on various other services.
The offers were extended as a token of love and affection to the Sikh brethren for helping frightened students in the outside states.
“Will provide free coaching for Sikh students in 11th and 12th medical and non-medical students at our coaching centre in Anantnag,” read a post by the owner of the centre on Facebook.
Doctor AdilWani, a renowned dental surgeon, announced a one- month free dental service for Sikh patients at his clinic in AchabalAddaAnantnag.
“Will provide Fifty percent discount on USGs/Doppler studies at friends USG centreJanglatmandi for courageous and generous Sikh Brethren,” wrote DrOwais Dar in his Facebook post. Mudasir Motors announced free car service repair for “any Sikh brother.”
“Champions international gym offers free gym training for Sikh community at Khanyar,” read another post. “Will provide 50 percent discount on marriage items like disposable fancy items, papermachi crewel bags for Sikh Community at the party professionals, Ist floor opposite main gate Unani hospital QaziMuhallaAnantnag,” read another Facebook post.
Azad automobiles will provide 18 percent discount on all car accessories, spare parts and lubricants for Sikh brothers at Batamaloo Srinagar, read another Facebook post.
An Orthopedic surgeon, Imtiyaz Dar, also offered free consultations at his clinics in Anantnag and Batamaloo, Srinagar.
Several car washing and service centres also offered their services free of cost or at heavy discounts for the Sikh brethren.
Readymade garments shops, photo studios, hotels, mobile accessories shops and other provisional stores and diagnostic centres rained special offers on the members of the Sikh community.
Apart from the offers and discounts, several Kashmiri Muslims appealed for donations to Sikh organization like Khalsa Aid International.
A netizen also appealed to the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) to announce special discounts for the Sikh fraternity of Kashmir for one month on “no-profit-no-loss formula”.
Former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have also praised Sikhs for their “exemplary spirit” to serve.
“I salute our Sikh brethren who came to the aid of young Kashmiris all over the country. Admire their exemplary spirit to serve with utmost dignity & fortitude,” Mehbooba wrote on Twitter.
She said one’s faith in humanity is restored by such kindness.
“Grateful to @Khalsa_Aid for tirelessly working to help Kashmiri students in Dehradun & Chandigarh. One’s faith in humanity is restored by such kindness,” Mehbooba said.
Omar said the Sikhs had gone above and beyond the call of duty in reaching out and helping Kashmiris in distress.
“This cartoon is very apt. The Sikh sangat has gone above & beyond the call of duty in reaching out & helping Kashmiris in distress, whether in Jammu or outside the state. A special thanks to (Punjab chef minister) @capt_amarinder Sahib for his statesmanship in ensuring security & safety for Kashmiris,” Omar wrote on Twitter referring to a newspaper cartoon about Sikhs helping Kashmiris. (with PTI inputs)
KV Correspondent
