Would-be bride brings cheer to relatives of the missing
Bismah Malik, Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 9. At the routine monthly sit-in of the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) today, a brightly clothed Sameena (18) stood out.
Parveena Ahanger, APDP chairperson who arranged the protest a day before International Human Rights Day (December 10), informed the gathering that Sameena has got engaged. She has come to distribute sweets among APDP members, she said.
“Usually, Sameena is an active member at the routine programmes of the APDP, be it fund-raising for half widows and orphans or documenting cases. She has been doing this ever since she became a part of the APDP family when her father disappeared while in custody,” Parveena said.
Despite many family hurdles back home at Handwara in Kupwara district, Sameena would travel all the way to Srinagar to register her participation at the protests.
“We are tied by the bonds of despair and hope…bonds that are stronger than that of blood. I consider this organisation my family because I have found shoulders to lean on. People here have the same stories to share. At this big moment in my life, I want them to be a part of it,” an emotional Sameena said.
She considers Parveena, often called Iron lady of Kashmir, as her role model. Sameena said that she would miss her father, whom she has not seen for a decade now. But the presence of Parveena on her wedding day could make up for that loss.
“After God, they put their trust in me. I am and will be a part of their joys and sorrows till the end of my life,” Parveena said.
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Seminar on human rights held in Sangrur
Sangrur, December 9. A local NGO, Sahara Foundation, today organised a seminar on human rights at the district administrative complex here. Baljinder Singh Thakur, a member of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission was the chief guest.
In his address, Thakur said the commission had formed a five-member committee that presented its reports to the Commission on human rights violations in the state. He said that due to seminars, which were being held to spread awareness on human rights, the number of complaints regarding human rights violations had increased in the state.
Until now the Commission had settled 1,85,000 complaints, he added. (TNS)
