Another story is unveiled from the suffering of a family during the horrific events of the Delhi riots in 2020. From the terrace of their home, Dawood and his family witnessed the sudden eruption of flames and distant clouds of heavy smoke, accompanied by the deafening sound of bullets slicing through the air.
Abbu’s urgent call revealed the outbreak of violence while he was attending an Ijtama in Qasabpur, instructing them to stay sheltered within their home.
With caution, they remained indoors throughout the day, waiting only for the sun to rise again.
Dawood’s mother, Warisa, observed her children’s horror with concern. “Dawood seemed more traumatized than his younger sibling, clinging to my side as violence echoed outside,” narrated Warisa.
To protect Warisa and her family from the mobs, her sister advised her to switch off all the lights in the rooms to give the impression that the house was empty, potentially ensuring their safety.
In the morning, a call from Dawood’s uncle interrupted their Asr prayer, directing them to meet him near the Shiv Vihar bridge, where the presence of armed forces barred entry into the area.
Walking through the scattered stones on the roads and streets of Shiv Vihar, they eventually met with their uncle on the bridge. Taking refuge at his residence for several days amidst the chaos, a photo of Dawood was captured as a testament to his harrowing journey.
Education Journey for Both Mother and Son
Amid the blaze that consumed shops and buildings near Dawood’s place, and the violence that engulfed the surroundings, his father sought admission for the child in a government school, only to realize that the deadlines had elapsed.
Hope reignited with Farhana Baji’s revelation of a school in Rashid Ali Gate. “When we went there, Asif Bhai was already present and offered assurance of admission within a week,” narrated Dawood.
True to the promise, the child was enrolled in the school. Dawood recalls that during a school excursion, an unexpected encounter took place. “I encountered the man who had previously taken my photo. He was there to film our activities and immediately recognized me. I have been in contact ever since,” narrated Dawood.
On the other hand, Warisa initially felt hopeless due to the outbreak, but her outlook shifted upon learning of a nearby center that had opened. She contacted Samreen, who managed the center, only to find that there were no available spaces. However, Dawood happened to be conversing with Asif Bhai at the time. Seeking the opportunity, Warisa asked her son to convey her desire to continue her education and learn English.
“Asif Bhai wasted no time in contacting Samreen, who asked me to join the next day. Thus began my journey,” narrated Warisa, who eagerly welcomed the opportunity and began attending classes.
In a recent event by Miles2Smile, Warisa Khatoon, Dawood’s mother, presented her learning of the English language at Sabaat. “I live in Shiv Vihar. I am studying English, Arabic, and Urdu. I want to be… I want to be a teacher,” she narrated among the other women survivors of Shiv Vihar violence. Notably, her daughter is also learning English from her, exemplifying Mahatma Gandhi’s quote: “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate an entire family.”
Warisa further mentions, “My daughter is learning English alongside me. She often asks questions like, ‘Ammi, what’s the English word for ‘gali’?’ Meanwhile, Dawood enjoys teasing his sister, asking her to translate Hindi words into English. Though she blushes at the attention, her childish voice never fails to deliver the words with charm.”
“I pray for many things, but I just pray that whatever he does, may Allah make Dawood successful so that whatever dreams I had for myself, I can fulfill through him,” says Warisa.
Dawood’s family had long cherished the comfort of their home, envisioning a future within the crowded lanes of their neighborhood. However, the riots shattered their dreams, forcing them to abandon their home and seek refuge elsewhere. However they stayed resilient.
Though they long for the comfort of their old residence, they remain grateful for their safety , particularly Dawood, whose educational journey has seen a positive turn after they shifted
“Previously, I attended school in Babu Nagar up to 7th grade. When violence disrupted, we relocated, and I enrolled in Sunshine School for 8th grade. I found joy in that environment,” reflects Dawood, now a 9th class student in Yamuna Vihar. Sunrise School, an initiative by Miles2Smile, supports students up to 8th grade, offering them adequate education.
Miseries Don’t End, Hope Prevails
However, the miseries have completely dissipated. Financially, they find themselves in a vulnerable position. “The only problem we have is that if Abbu is working and earning daily wages, we are able to make a living, but when the work drops, we have nothing left, not even the travel fare for school,’ narrates Dawood sadly.
In addition to financial challenges, Dawood’s educational environment also falls short of his expectations. “The atmosphere at my new school isn’t sufficient to learning. There’s constant conflict, foul language, and negativity,” he expresses, hoping for admission to a different institution. “It just doesn’t feel right being there.”
Miles2Smile is trying their best to provide the basic necessities to the family of Dawood so they can unburden some of their miseries.
“I want to help a lot of poor people. At the moment, I am not in a position to afford to help many people financially, but in the future, I hope to be of help to people. I will stay in contact with Miles 2 Smile for my life,” promises Dawood with a big smile on his face.
Miles2Smile is working to relieve the hardships faced by Dawood’s family by providing them with essential necessities and aiming to lighten their burden of suffering.
“I want to assist underprivileged individuals,” Dawood shares.. “Currently, I may not have the financial means to extend significant support, but I am committed to making a difference in the future. I will stay in connection with Miles2Smile,” he declares, he beamed with optimism and hope.
