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| Doda `half orphan' has lessons to teach | | On the day of the disappeared | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 29: Most of the `half orphans' in Kashmir live on charity. They have been projected as victims and this is where the problem lies. Yes, victims they are but victimhood should not lead to begging. A 12-year-old `half orphan' from Doda shows the way. He makes an honourable living for a family comprising his mother, sister and younger brother.
The young bread earner is Vishaal Sharma. Besides food, he also earns tuition fee for his sister and brother. The medicines for his ailing mother do not bother him.
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, not in a position to work.
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 with help after my father's disappearance. I was left with no option but to collect scrap newspapers for making envelopes to earn for my family", said a tearful Vishaal.
The young lad 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 going", she said.
Ambreeka used to stitch clothes earlier but could make around Rs 300 a month. "I have to get medicines worth Rs 2000 every month", she said.
Vishal’s sister is all praise for her brother. "He always encourages me to continue my studies. Besides paying my tuition fee, he 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 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 live", he said.
Vishaal has not lost hope. "I am waiting for the day when my family meets my missing father", he said.
A few members of the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) said that Vishaal lives in different conditions. "His house was not raided, he was not harassed", they said. However, the spokesperson of the APDP is all praise for Vishaal. He has shown exemplary courage and we wish him good luck. |
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