The area was charged with tension and uncertainty when Miles2Smile entered Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. A few days ago, a violent clash had erupted in the area, claiming the life of one and inflicting injuries to many.
On entering the city, we experienced a sea of police, high security, and barricades, with tensed air sweeping to and fro. On moving further, we reached Maharajganj, Bahraich, the threshold of Akram Ali (name changed), a survivor of the violent clash.
His house, once nestled among an e-rickshaw, a blanket business, and a cosmetic shop, has now turned into a heap of ashes and burned furniture. Akram Ali, an e-rickshaw driver, spoke to Miles2Smile about the horrific event he encountered.
He reported that an angry mob, armed with torches, sticks, and other weapons, forced their way into his home and set it on fire. The mob further burned his e-rickshaw, his only source of income.
With the e-rickshaw melting, engulfed in thick black smoke and a pungent odor, his dreams also evaporated.
He further revealed that his son owned a blanket business, which the furious mob looted and set on fire after the e-rickshaw. As the vibrant colors of blankets faded to a charred, blackened mass, his son’s income also turned into ashes.
Akram’s daughter-in-law owned a cosmetic shop with lipstick, bangles, and gaudy products placed beautifully in it. The mob did not spare this either. The interior, once filled with beauty products, is now a scene of destruction, with shelves collapsing and a few semi-burnt products lying on the ground.
A wave of destruction has cleared away the happiness of Akram’s family within a span of an hour. But a wave of construction can also emerge, rebuilding their lost happiness and smiles.
Miles2Smile is ready to fan a wave of construction; for that, we need Rs. 4,50,000 to purchase Akram’s e-rickshaw, rebuild his son’s blanket business, and reconstruct his daughter-in-law’s cosmetic shop.
We have decided to raise the fund, doing our part to fight the storm of misery that has swept away their happiness and dreams.
We need your help to bring their lives back to normalcy. Donate now and help us to give them their smiles back.