“We had nothing to eat at home, then Aasif’s bhai came and helped us, we had nothing,” said Sufiya while talking to Miles2Smile about the tragedy that unfolded in her life in October earlier in the year 2024.
A violent clash occurred during a Durga idol immersion procession in Bahraich, leading to the death of one individual and injuries to many on October 13, 2024. Soon the clash turned into a massive nightmare for residents, with torched properties, charred vehicles, and melting trees adding horror to it.
While clashes became a hot debate for the public, innocent people including women like Sufiya suffered the most.
Miles2smile met Sufiya when she was devastated and riot ridden; left with nothing but lost hopes.
“Grab the ladies, strip off their clothes, and rape them.” These were the words of the furious mob that barged into Sufiya’s house on an awful day.
Sitting on a cot, one of the only assets that she was left with following the clash, Sufiya told Miles2Smile that she has lost everything. Crestfallen she seemed with a tint of hope in her eyes, a hope that Miles2Smile recognised.
“Everything in our house was destroyed; my jewelry and my sister-in-law’s jewelry were all ruined.” Sufiya told Miles2Smile
“Not a single item was left that I could give my daughter to wear. Not even a vest remained.” she added
Sufiya further claimed that the violence was so intense that it traumatized her daughter, causing her to cry her lungs out and eventually faint.
“My little daughter cried so much that she fainted from crying,” she added
Tears welled up in Sufiya’s eyes as she recalled her loss, her grief so intense that it seemed to pierce through our hearts. Moved by the love for humanity, we promised her to help her rebuild her house.
What Hatred Break, Miles2Smile Makes
Upon returning to Delhi, we informed our contributors and supporters about a fundraiser to help Sufiya acquire what all she lost. And within the span of a month, we were able to collect the amount to help Sufiya.
Starting our journey again to Bahraich, we crossed the threshold of Sufiya’s house; this time with happiness in our hearts.
“The help you have provided, no one has helped Aasif bhai as much as you have,” Sufiya said with a broad smile on her face, giving us satisfaction.
Owning basic things like refrigerator, bed, cupboard and other things again made Sufiya happy more than she was sad after the clash.
The happiness of people is what gives us motivation. Looking back in time we feel sorrow that a large number from the masses have fallen prey to dehumanisation.
A sense of satisfaction also engulfs our heart when we see we have spent 59899 hours helping people, covered 30289 miles and have resorted 10213 smiles alone in the financial year 2023-2024.
Miles2Smile covered a reasonable mile during Bahraich work; to learn more stories of hope and resilience take a look at our work:
1 https://stories.miles2smile.org/new-hopes-new-beginning-and-bundle-of-happiness-underway/
2. https://stories.miles2smile.org/the-e-rickshaw-that-brought-back-hope-to-rafiqs-life/,
3. https://stories.miles2smile.org/a-home-rebuilt-a-life-renewed-with-miles2smile/
Hear the stories of clashes from the survivor’s words:
1.https://youtu.be/yxs5qonNi8c?si=laFcZelC3GDr2y74
2. https://youtu.be/Khf4o1TKnkY?si=mjHA0sGup9TU8otP
3. https://youtu.be/_vbnNZ3HGNg?si=dyRI1pfhs9pSwbOF
Our work does not stop here; stay tuned to learn more stories of hope.
We wish and aim to continue helping people; spreading happiness and love.
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