In the quiet villages of Purkhoo and Mishriwala, tragedy awaited them as the gigantic fire razed several homes of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
To those families, who surveyed the smoldering remains and the charred remains of their homes, there was hope when it appeared through the Ehsaas Foundation-a charity dedicated to supporting everyone who faced crisis.
On hearing the news, members of the foundation, such as Malik Zahoor, Faheem Reshi, Tahir Peerzada, Burhan Nazir, Farash, Umer, and Harris Hameed, got into action to rush assistance to the families. Their action went beyond mere materialistic relief; it was a show of brotherliness-a renewed remembrance of a common bond that ties humankind together in turmoil .
The Ehsaas Foundation volunteers arrived quickly, bringing everything from food to clothing and temporary shelters. But perhaps more momentous than the material support was the emotional respite they could offer. “We knew we needed to be here,” says Malik Zahoor, representing the team, “not just for material needs but for solidarity with our Kashmiri Pandit brothers, who have lost so much. This is a time of unity.”
This moving response struck a chord in the community that was ravaged. As one homeowner, Rajesh Koul, whose house caught fire said, “We felt lost and forgotten, but these young men coming to our aid restored our faith. They reminded us we are not alone.”
The Ehsaas Foundation, however, is a reflection of the extent of commitment much beyond social work; it resembles the spirit of Kashmiri brotherhood. Each volunteer formed an important part of the entire exercise whereby every attempt was done to ensure that the instant needs were met with people whose homes and livelihoods were ravaged. Faheem Reshi particularly noted how personal this mission was for him: “This isn’t just about delivering aid; it’s about strengthening the bonds of our community, especially during times of crisis.”
Their outreach, in such a historical backdrop to the communal fabric of Kashmir, where decades of conflict have strained the relations between communities, is exceptionally meaningful as it presents initiatives which act as bridges to further strengthen the relationships and the empathetic ambiance between the communities.
It has dealt with all immediate needs, but the far-reaching effects of this disaster will only be solved after long-term struggle. The Ehsaas Foundation is hopeful that it can continue to offer them support – not in a purely materialistic sense but by acting as a platform for them to rebuild their lives. Volunteers are consulting the local leaders in order to help these families attain stability and, slowly, normalcy.
For the house of hope, the future holds promise. It feels that it would inspire more organizations and individuals to raise their hands and come forward. The idea can start from one act of kindness and creates an impact which stirs up others into a crowd of solidarity. “We encourage others to come forward,” said Tahir Peerzada. “The spirit of brotherhood does not end there; it begins anew every time we decide to help each other.”
But in a paradox, the Ehsaas Foundation’s response to Purkhoo and Mishriwala fire-the authenticity of people’s unity is something that has been intact since times immemorial according to Burhan Nazir. It is more than charity; it is a way to show that, despite our differences, we are one community that stands together in times of need.
