Launching the Akh Akis initiative by laying the foundation stone of houses for the most needy among the Flood victims, the Hurriyat (M) chairman and head of Darul Khair Mirwaiz Manzil, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq paid tributes to the courage of people, especially youth, during and in the aftermath of the flood in relief and rehabilitation work, and thanked the the good samaratans who offered monetary help and assistance in undertaking the good work. The first foundation stone laid by the Mirwaiz was of the house of a Kashmiri Pandit , Shri Moti Lal, a retired teacher, at Mandarbagh Srinagar who stayed on in the valley all along and lived at his ancestral house which was destroyed by the floods.
Another house to be constructed at Kral Khud belongs to the widow of Abdul Majeed, whose son, a volunteer in relief activities Mohammad Musaib tragically died when his boat capsized while trying to save people on Sept 8. The widow is now lives a hard life with her young orphan children.Another house recommended by the local Masjid Commite belongs to Ghulam Mustafa Bhat, of Gaw Kadal, a poor newspaper hawker by profession. In Maisuma, house of Shabir Ahmad Bhat which completely collapsed during the flood will also be constructed. Bhat, a tailor by profession, lost his shop during the recent floods- a sole source of income for the poor family.While laying the foundation stones a number of Imams, Ulemas, flood victims and scores of young volunteers who had come to help in the constuction work, were present.
Talking to reporters, Mirwaiz, according to GNS correspondent, said: “We have gone through a lot during the last 20 years. And now, we saw the flood fury as well. This has been a difficult time for us. But I think the strength the people of Kashmir have shown, the commitment and courage they have shown to rise again,” adding: “Kashmir people have shown to rise again.”Asked about why he chose to start from rebuilding the house of a Pandit, he said: “We know Mr Moti Lal did not left Kashmir, when other Pandit brothers left. He has been with people through thick and thin,” adding: “I think it is our duty to start rehabilitation with that family which has not left us. And I think it is a humanitarian effort.”Slamming centre and state governments, he said both New Delhi and the state government have left Kashmir to suffer.He said the fact remains today that there are over 50,000 completely damaged houses in Srinagar alone.“And this is a huge challenge. And rather than focusing on this issue, right now politics is being done over the sufferings of the people,” he said.
Hurriyat chairman also assailed Authorities for conducting polls in Kashmir soon after floods. “This was the time when people need shelter on their heads. People are houseless today. I think it was really unjustified on the part of those forces, who want to carry an exercise Just to give an impression the democracy on the ground is very much vibrant,” he said.Addressing the gathering, Mirwaiz appealed people to come forward and generously offer their contributions to Dar-ul-Khair Mirwaiz Manzil to make the rehabilitation programme a success. Terming the floods which hit Kashmir as an extreme catastrophe, Mirwaiz stated that the aim of Akh Akis programme was to construct houses for the needy flood victims who could not afford to build their houses.
He said another significance of the rebuilding programme was to invigorate the society with the spirit of community service, collaboration, self help and self reliance.APHC Chairman asked people from different walks of life including journalists, engineers, doctors, imams, civil society activists etc to take part in the rehabilitation initiative, adding that, even as charities and donations were needed to complete the initiative, they should come forward and dispense their volunteer services towards this mission. (GNS)