Tag Archives: Zubeda Begum

DSS powering up differently-abled to earn a living

Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Green Products, Science & Technology, , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Zubeda Begum (extreme left) and her workers busy assembling solar lights in Sangareddy on Thursday.
Zubeda Begum (extreme left) and her workers busy assembling solar lights in Sangareddy on Thursday.

Employs 15 divyangans led by Zubeda Begum

Sashikanth, who was affected by polio in childhood, never thought he could earn his living. But life has changed for better since the past three months, thanks to Divyangan Solar Society (DSS).

Led by Zubeda Begum, a differently-abled woman fighting for the rights of divyangans, the DSS has employed Sashikanth along with 14 others who are differently-abled to sell solar-powered lights. It has also given indirect employment to a total of 85 persons. So far, the Society has sold over 20,000 solar lights of different varieties.

Work begins at 9.30 a.m. and workers get ₹3,000 a month as salary. For many, more than the money they get by working here, it’s the respect that they earn by doing so that matters the most. “Everyone considers a differently-abled person a burden both on the family as well as the society. We don’t get jobs easily as the employers see certain limitations in what we can do and refuse to give us a chance to prove them wrong. It’s humiliating. That’s the reason why I began my fight for divyangans and their rights. I can say I have been partly successful in this regard,” Ms. Zubeda told The Hindu.

About two decades ago, she set up a public telephone booth, which took her almost a year, for self-sustenance. Given her grit to live life on her own terms, she was entrusted with the responsibility of running DSS after it was established in 2016. For the past two years, the Society has done business of ₹18 lakh. It produces 10 varieties of solar lights.

The DSS has also established its units in Mahabubnagar, Janagam, Manchiryal and Kamareddy.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by R. Avadhani / Sangareddy – March 17th, 2018

How Kashmiri Muslim couple defied a curfew and walked miles to feed Pandit friend’s starving family

Community Involvement / Social Issues,

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Srinagar :

Even as tension brews in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul commander, a Muslim couple is defying restrictions to feed a Pandit family across river Jhelum.

Muslim couple defy curfew, walk miles to feed starving Pandit family
Muslim couple defy curfew, walk miles to feed starving Pandit family

As Kashmir burns after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, and half the state is under curfew, a lone Kashmiri woman and her husband braved a strict curfew to get some food across to her Pandit friend.

At first glance, Zubeda Begum and her husband walking on a deserted road in Srinagar with a bag of food items looked like any another desperate family trying to fend for itself in the strife-torn city. However, this couple was actually risking their lives to get some food to a friend, who had telephoned from across the river Jehlum to inform them of their plight.

“She had called me in the morning saying her family needed food supplies. They have an ailing grandmother staying with them. I am taking the food to them. It is difficult but we are trying to reach them,” Zubeda said.

Zubeda with Diwanchand Pandit's family
Zubeda with Diwanchand Pandit’s family

CURFEW, LACK OF TRANSPORT DID NOT DETER THE COUPLE

The shops and establishments remain shut for days and there is no means of transport on the roads. To add to their woes, police have limited movement of people.

According to the couple, the risk and effort of the long walk was compensated with the warmth they received after arriving at the doorsteps of Diwanchand’s flat in Jawahar Nagar.

“Everyone is suffering here. We are so glad that these people came here. This is where the humanity lies,” said Diwanchand Pandit.

Diwanchand and his family have been living in the Valley for many years. He works at All India Radio and his wife is a teacher in a local school where Zubeda also works.

DIWANCHAND’S FAMILY DESPERATELY SOUGHT HELP

Diwanchand and his family, including an ailing grandmother, were desperate for help as crisis mounted in the Valley.

Kashmir has been in the grip of unrest for last four days. Violent protests are being reported from many areas following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

In the midst of this violence, Zubeda’s heartwarming story is a perfect example of how humanity prevails even in times of adversity.

source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / IndiaToday / Home> News> India / by Shuja-ul-Haq / posted by Bijin Jose / Srinagar, July 11th, 2016