A year after Delhi Riots: Bullets can't shatter Imrana's dreams

This February marks one year since the racist attack happened in the country's capital. This is the second part of Madhyamam investigation regarding the current situation of the riot victims. Read the first part here

The one year old little girl Inaya, is playing on the top of glass shelf in a small shop they recently opened.

She was only 17 days old, when her father Muddasir Khan got killed in the Delhi genocide. Her mother Imrana, who was undergoing postnatal treatment at home, heard the tragedy when she had to call her husband who hadn't returned from Gardanpuri.

After almost four months of performing Iddaa (mourning period that a muslim woman observes after the death of her husband) holding her baby girl, she and her children went to the family flat where they had been staying earlier.

Her in-laws deposited all the Rs 5 lakh they had received from the Delhi government to the family-owned plastic factory.

At present, she and her eight children receive 500 rupees per day from the company run by Muddassir's younger brother. Another income of Rs 15,000 per month is being provided by the 'Vision 2026' as pension and scholarship for the children.

She soon learned that this was not enough to cover the daily expenses of her children and herself. Not only the company but also the flat where she lives is not possessed in Muddasir Khan's name. It belongs to the family.

When it was too late to ask for more, she looked for another way to earn some income. She got the idea to start a cosmetic shop, coming from a family background where hijabi women traditionally do not trade. It was also a relief that most of the customers would be women.

She got the investment from a generous amount given by a kindhearted man named Feroz. Imrana, who had not done any job of her own until her husband's death, went to Sadar Bazar with her friend to make a purchase.

The items were sold and re-purchased with Rs 6,000 she earned. But she was able to unload as many varieties as the customers wanted.

'Vision 2026' took responsibility when the volunteers of 'Vision 2026' were told that she needed a little help with the investment. Now she plans to open a beauty salon in an vacant room at the back of the shop and accommodate her daughter Salma, who has completed a beautician course. She has also submitted a plan for the same before the officials of 'Vision 2026'.

Today, Imrana is on a path which was completely unfamiliar to her until a year ago. For those who have never been out of the house except for family functions and school or hospital needs, business now is a life-and-death struggle.

One thing is for sure though. She has decided to raise eight children to be on their own feet without relying on anyone and to lead her children to heights of knowledge that cannot be shattered by bullets.