Irfan was famous in the area for his business acumen. He owned a large garment business in the Karauli district of Rajasthan.
Irfan was famous in the area for his business acumen. He owned a garment business in the Karauli district of Rajasthan. Despite the fierce competition, Irfan had recently merged his four small shops to make it the biggest garment shop in the area. It could only become possible through his unwavering dedication that his business was thriving and having a good time.
Irfan was at his shop and working, like any usual day when he heard the violence that broke out in the city during the celebrations of the Hindu New Year. Fearing that his shop might get caught up in the clashes, Irfan called it a day, unaware that the rioters had already intended to trample over his dreams.
As the violence dissipated, Irfan decided to visit his store, only to find himself staring at the most appalling scene. The walls, which were crammed yesterday with shelves of clothing, were covered with charred ashes, and the shutters were demolished and trashed.
His shop was looted and set ablaze by the rioters. Brimming with questions, Irfan felt emotionally tormented. He was convinced it was a planned attack, as all the other shops in the area were not harmed.
If rioters came from outside, who told them that this was my shop? All of it was well-planned. They were already well-prepared for the attack. Where did all that fuel come from that they could set the entire shop on fire? See the shutters, they are all collapsed. Where did they get such heavy metal tools to destroy these? Our lives are now in trouble. I’m selling my shop. We cannot live here anymore after this,” said Irfan whining at his loss.
Only his shop being attacked in the vicinity burdened him with mental trauma too.
It’s difficult to comprehend a person’s mental state after such a tragic loss. Years of hard work had earned him a name in his business. Now, his shop was only surrounded by the charred remains of everything he had built over so many years. He estimated his loss to be around 20 lakh rupees.
When Miles2Smile visited the violence-affected area, he met us and recounted his harrowing experiences. The foundation was quick to ameliorate his pain by giving 4 lakhs to rebuild his shop. Reeling under financial and mental duress, this was a heavenly gift to him. Today he is again working hard putting the baggage of hate behind.
