“This was my only source of income, and now it’s gone too; how will I earn? How will I run my household?” said Arif Sufi on speaking to Miles2Smile.
Arif Sufi lost his only source of income, his plastic product factory, to the Khargone violence that took place on April 10th, 2022. Khargone witnessed a dark chapter during the Ram Navami celebrations, as what began as a religious festivity turned into an eruption of violence. At Talab Chowk, two processions passed near a mosque—one led by the Raghuvanshi community and the other by groups like Bajrang Dal and Gauraksha Samiti. The tension in the air was palpable, and it wasn’t long before it boiled over, sparking clashes that spread unrest throughout the city.
In the days that followed, authorities began demolishing structures, claiming they were built illegally. But those affected told a different story. Families insisted their homes and shops were legally constructed, yet they now stood in ruins. The demolition drive disproportionately affected the Muslim community, leaving many without shelter or a way to make a living.
Amid the destruction, Miles2Smile stepped in to lend a hand. They visited the affected areas, listened to the struggles of those who had lost everything, and worked tirelessly to help families get back on their feet. Their efforts brought relief and a glimmer of hope to lives that had been shattered.
Arif Sufi was one of those survivors who revealed their ordeal to Miles2Smile; he lost everything in a span of an hour. What was the fault? He asked. Sufi’s face was blanched in sorrow while narrating the entire incident.
We at Miles2Smile aimed to help Arif Sufi and raised funds to set back his business. Within a short time span, we, with the help of our, were able to help Arif earn a decent livelihood.
“I cannot thank Miles2Smile enough; I thought I would never be able to get back my lost happiness. But now I can surely say that if there are bad people in the world, then there are good ones too, and people of Miles2Smile are among the former group,” said Arif, with a palpable happiness on his face.
To read more about our Khargone relief work click: https://stories.miles2smile.org/category/khargone-2022/
