Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation has achieved a significant milestone by helping Dehraj Singh, a Pakistani Hindu refugee living in Bharat, open the first stationery shop in his colony.
The shop, strategically located next to a government school, marks a step towards self-reliance and community empowerment.
Dehraj’s journey to this moment is a testament to resilience.
Originally from Sindh, Pakistan, he fled to India in 2013 after enduring years of hostility, a fate shared by many Hindus in Pakistan, especially after the 1999 Kargil war. Trouble began for Dehraj’s family when their neighbor, Mohd Dhani Wassan, betrayed them.
This is Dehraj’s story in his own words:
A Hindu baniya family migrating to India had entrusted Dehraj’s father, a farmer, to care for their land. However, his father declined, calling himself unworthy of such responsibility. Instead, the neighbor, Dhani Wassan, took on the role. But Wassan soon sold the land and attempted to forcefully evict Dehraj’s family from their own farm.
Dehraj’s father fought back and won the legal dispute in court. But the victory came at a devastating cost. Dehraj’s elder brother was shot dead, and the local authorities refused to take action. The police, hostile as ever, didn’t even question Dhani Wassan. It became painfully clear to Dehraj: justice was not meant for Hindus in Pakistan.
Today, Dehraj stands resilient, building a new life in Bharat with the support of Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation. Here, he is seen reading the FIR that once symbolized the injustice he faced in his homeland.
In 2013, Dehraj left behind everything he had ever known and came to Bharat on a pilgrim visa, like thousands of other Sindhi Hindus fleeing persecution. His father, too old to make the journey, stayed behind in Pakistan and has since passed away. The rest of Dehraj’s family, however, managed to join him.
Once a successful farmer in Sindh, Dehraj now found himself working as a daily wage labourer in the construction industry – a harsh reminder of the cost of starting over.
In May 2023, the basti where Dehraj and his family live faced demolition by the administration, sparking widespread outcry. Our foundation visited the area during this crisis, and Dehraj played a key role in the massive rehabilitation efforts we undertook. Together, we rebuilt homes and gave hope to the displaced families.
Later, we at established an education center in the basti to ensure a brighter future for the community’s children. Today, Dehraj manages this center, continuing his remarkable journey of rebuilding not just his own life but also the lives of those around him.
Last month, Dehraj received Indian Citizenship at a state ceremony And now, the shop marks the start of another chapter. Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation is proud to stand with refugees like him.
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