You have a lot of reasons to be happy for..... 

Orphanages are the only places that ever left me feeling empty and full at the same time.” I have grown by hearing time and again that life never gives you a second chance, but I do not share the same eye. My take is different to this. I beleive every new day comes with a new chance, a new ray of hope, a new wonder, a new miracle and a new magic to create! Each one of us is blessed with some unique power or asset that nobody can take from us, but at the same time, their are some dark chambers in our hearts that we never want to show to anybody.

I call this as "Pandora's box", a box full of broken dreams, wishes and sacrifises that will always be carried with us wherever we go. Sorrows come in many forms, there is no consensus yet found as to which pain is more difficult to forget, but going by the experience and observation, I feel that to lose your parents and landing up being an orphan is the worst of all!

Feeling this pain in my heart, i once got a chance to visit an orphanage. Famous by the name of J&K PET (People's Educational Trust) WELFARE SOCIETY. PET came into being on 26th April 2000 with registration of the trust deed for enabling, preparing and positively assisting the youth to seek education and empower them to live a useful life with dignity, honor and self reliance. I have never felt so much moved before. I entered this building and was welcomed by a lady who was curious to know my whereabouts.

Introducing myself she directed me to the office for a tete tete. She told me about how this institution came into being, what are the facilities that are provided to the girls there. I wanted to talk to the girls and after some time, a girl namely zainab came to me. She was in her teens and very reserved. I opened up to her and told her to tell me the things she liked the most. "I like eating lays", was the innocent reply I got. I talked about her dreams and she told me she wanted to become a doctor! Such passion and iron will put all my fears to shame! After some time, a pretty little girl of hardly 12 came to me and introduced herself as Fiza. It was her sixth day there and she was very reluctant to speak about anything. I do not know why, but I wanted to sit for hours there and talk to the little beauties there.

In the meantime, one of the Trustees came to us and showed us the premesis. Currently, 40 girls are being taken care off there. There is no way one can adopt these children but after attaining the suitable age, their guardians take care of them. I inquired from the trustee that which are the most likely cases they get, he said that mostly the father less kids are brought here whose mothers have been married off.

I could never thank them much for the selfless service they are offering to the people of valley! This institution has two more branches, one is sopore for males and other in Srinagar. The board of trustees include Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Rather, PROF Charoo and few other reputed persons. It was both a touching and learning experience and I wish all of us could somehow contribute in any way we can for this noble cause!

​By Azra Mufti​