Kashaf Zafar Student
Till recently my village ‘Pachwana’ was an ordinary village like several others. Then some people of my village after mutual consultation got together under the banyan tree on Friday 27th May 2020. There they decided after a long discussion that all humans are equal and that from now on, they will work together for their common issues and needs. A village committee was formed after mutual consultation and my father was made head of the committee. To me this all was completely new. They all started monthly gatherings where people from all households of the village would come together, cook food collectively and talk about daily life issues. If anyone had any grudge or bitterness with anyone they would openly say ‘I forgive you’ to each other. One day they invited women of the village, all of them. This was also something never ever happened before in our village. A completely new thing for us. On that day we, all the women of the village, the elderly, young, and children were sitting gracefully on the chairs and chit chatting pleasantly while the male villagers, old, young and children were cooking for us. Some were cutting onion and meat; some were bringing firewood carrying on their heads and others were pealing garlic. This was a great sight. It was really interesting to see our fathers, uncles, cousins, and men from the neighbouring houses preparing the dough, rounding it into loafs and then turning loafs into round Roti and placing it on Tawa, Griddle. Some other men were blowing the fire, others were cooking Salin; curry in the big Dehgh; cauldron. This was an amazing scene. I can never forget it. Once ready, the food was served to us in a respectful and dignified manner. Then they all said “You women are esteemed members of our village life. You respect us always and today we offer to you our respect and recognition”. I was thinking may women in all other villages are given respect and esteem in this way. I find it sad and painful to think and write that my father could serve the village for seven months only. He could not survive from a surgery in December 2020. All people of the village still remember his services. The entire village came together to pay respect and tribute to my father Zafar Iqbal. Our village has set up a library with lots of books. You might be surprised to know this library is never locked, books are never registered and there is no guard or anyone to monitor the books coming and going from the library. I have been a keen reader of extra curriculum books and interested in poetry from childhood. Now whenever I want I go to the library, get a book of my choice and return after reading it. Other girls of the village do the same. The idea of library is very unique. I think a library like this can and should be set up in other villages too. Wish the government or people of other villages could pay attention to this. I say everyone must visit our library. I am not sure if there is a library like this anywhere else. Another interesting thing about our village is that two elderly ladies were awarded with ‘Peace Awards’. This is a great reward for the women from the peoples of our village. There is an additional reason for me and my family to be proud that my mother was awarded for being an ‘exemplary hospitable women’. The Inspecter General (IG) Kashmir police Dr Ameer Ahmed Sheikh handed over this award to my mother when he visited our village. This is a big award that was given to my mother. Its impacts will remain for long time. Another new thing for me was that children of village were given sports kids including balls, bats, footballs, volley balls and Ludo etc. This will enhance the confidence in children and encourage them to work together. It is good for children to be brought up in such loving and caring environment. Children are provided with opportunities to learn their full potential. Such respect and encouragement bring happiness for women and children. Another amazing feature of our village is that fruit trees are planted in every household. There is also a ‘Kind Cupboard’ in the village. People of the village who can afford leave here daily life use products and those who can not afford take them as and when needed. Those who have and are generous they leave things here without any show off and those who need them take them without being indebted. All of this was new to us, but we are learning a great deal from this. This is subtly contributing to our positive upbringing. I am thankful to all people of our village who have founded this exemplary society in the village. May every village and every neighbourhood become like this. May the dream of peace and prosperity turn true. (Translation by Shams Rehman)
