Pune NGO adopts war-torn village

The president of the trust, Sriram Bhede had promised financial support to Sarhad in its endeavour to rehabilitate a village. So the groundwork started with the first team of volunteers leaving for Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and toured the Valley extensively. They travelled to Srinagar, Sonmarg, Gulmarg and Gagangir to meet the refugees.

What they came back with were vivid memories of the suffering of the refugees. It was a story of immense neglect; to such an extent that these people even lacked the basic amenities like food, kerosene, warm clothing, candles among other things.

On June 10 the president of Sarhad, Sanjy Nahar wrote to the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) proposing rehabilitation measures. The COAS wrote back that any measures would have to be taken with approval of the state government.

With the return of the volunteers from the Valley, Bhede and Nahar decided to send essential supplies from Pune. A seven-member team left on July 1 with four tonnes of material. This included stoves, blankets, biscuits, soaps and other nitty gritties that would prove invaluable for the refugees.

In the Valley the team also bought 6,500 kg of rice and distributed it among 200 families stationed there. On June 17 the team from Sarhad left with the basic amenities and the high pointcame when the chief minister invited them for tea. He assured them that land for the rehabilitated village would be provided off the Srinagar-Leh highway and his government would extend all possible help.

Meanwhile Nahar, called up his friends in Punjab and told them of the status of the refugees in Kashmir. They got together immediately and sent six trucks filled with essential goods to the Valley. According to Nahar the idea was to help thee people who have proved to be traditional allies in border skirmishes. “They extend all possible help when our forces operate in those areas.

So they need to be looked after because they are after all the essence of Kashmir. By helping them we will help the Kashmiris to integrate with the rest of the country, ” says Nahar.

For once the `forgotten’ people will no longer recede from the memories of a few concerned individuals. A home, for them, will become a reality once again.