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| Doda half orphan's daring struggle for a living | | At 12 he earns for his family | |  Asif Iqbal Naik
kishtwar, May 7: Disappearance is a big issue in Kashmir. Thousands of families have broken and a breed of `half orphans' and `half widows' have been produced during the past two decades of turmoil. Unlike wards of disappeared persons from Kashmir, Vishaal Sharma, 12, from Doda has set an example.
He has become the sole bread earner for his family comprising his mother, elder sister and younger brother. Not only food he manages tuition fee for her sister and younger brother. In addition, he has to get medicines for his ailing mother.
Vishaal Sharma was only 10-year-old when his father Rattan Lal Sharma of Shie Doda went missing two years ago. Vishaal had to go to work as his mother was ailing, therefore, no in a position to work.
But Vishaal managed it nicely. He makes envelopes from paper scrap. He works till late in the evening and awakes early in the morning to keep things going in his family.
"Life has become difficult for me and my family. My father left the house to see his father, but never returned. We searched for him everywhere but to no avail. Nobody came forward for help after my father's disappearance. I was left with no option but to collect scrap newspapers for making envelopes to earn for my his family", said Vishaal with tears in his eyes.
The young Sharma has not abandoned his studies. He is a student of 7th standard in a private school. After making envelopes, he goes to the school. Back home, he completes his home work and then starts working on the envelopes.
Recalling her comfortable days, Vishaal's mother Ambreeka Devi said she is pained to see her son work for the family. "I want to die since I don't want to become a burden on my children. This is the time when he should be playing with toys but he has to burn mid night oil to keep us in good humour", she said.
Ambreeka used to stitch clothes earlier but could raise around Rs 300 a month. "I have to get medicines worth Rs 2000 every month", she said.
Vishal sister is all praise for her brother. "He always encourages me to continue my studies. Besides paying my tuition fee, Vishal also arranges books and other study material for me. I am proud of my brother. At this tender age he has left his comfort aside for all of us", she said.
Vishaal did not want her mother to die for medicines. One day he collected newspaper scrap and started making envelopes. He gets Rs 10 for 100 small size envelopes and Rs 15 for bigger envelopes.
Vishaal purchases a bundle of old newspapers at Rs 400 and after making envelopes he earns a profit of Rs 300. He is serious about his studies and the education of his sister and younger brother. Every month he pays Rs 950 tuition fee at School which includes Rs 400 school fee for his sister and Rs. 250 for his younger brother. "I will continue to fight for my family till I am live," he said.
Vishaal has not lost hope. "I am waiting for the day when my family meets my missing father", he said. |
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