Vidya Bharati alumni members lends a helping hand towards rehabilitation of flood hit migrant families from Pakistan

Several Hindu families living in Pakistan are forced to leave their homes and try to build a new life here in India. Various factors such as physical threats, victimization and financial exclusion are responsible for this inter-country migration.

Many such families have taken shelter in Delhi, mainly in areas such as Majnu ka Tila near Yamuna river, Adarsh Nagar and Sector 10. Although most of them say that they have found ‘freedom’ here in India, but their lives continue to be marred with several adversities.

Vidya Bharati Purv Chatra Parishad (Vidya Bharati alumni body) members of Braj Pranta were given the responsibility to help in the rehabilitation process of these families by Vidya Bharati Sanghathan Mantri Shri Kashipati Ji. A survey conducted by the alumni members brought to light, the range of difficulties faced by these communities.

Most of the migrants are agricultural labourers and do not have any other skills; so it’s difficult for them to find proper jobs. Their mud houses do not provide adequate shelter against the elements, neither do the have electricity or proper sanitation facilities. The residential areas are  major breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and flies, leading to spread of diseases.

Their problems were further escalated with the flooding of Yamuna river during 2019 monsoon season. The families were left homeless and their meagre possessions were swept away. During this time alumni members banded together to provide immediate relief. They donated more than Rs 10,000  to provide financial assistance to the affected families. Basic food items and essential goods were also given.

Based on the survey gathered by Purv Chatra Parishad, plans are being formulated for development of these families. Under the umbrella of Vidya Bharati,  Ekal Vidyalays will be opened in these areas to educate the children. Regular health camps as well as knitting and threading workshops for women will also be organised in the near future.

Vidya Bharati as an organisation has always worked for social development and upliftment of the downtrodden. It’s schools have installed this sentiment among the students, resulting in alumni who are always ready to help those in need.

If you are an alumni of Vidya Bharati and involved in any kind of social service, please email us your story at info@vidyabharatialumni.org