Behind the stern countenance of Shakira ‘Ma’am’ hides a heart of gold, and that’s why the 60-odd children at Anees-ul-Ghurba, an orphanage functioning since 1921, turn to her for their every need. For Id, Shakira takes it upon herself to ensure that every child at the orphanage gets new clothes, ornaments, caps etc., that have been gifted by donors during Ramzan.
The six women and two male caretakers at Anees-ul-Ghurba, under the watchful eyes of Shakira, make sure that the kids never feel neglected. Visitors are a regular feature at the orphanage, especially during Ramzan. While many are high profile people like Abid Rasool Khan, the State Minorities Commission chairman, CEO of the Wakf Board that oversees the orphans, and social workers, there are others who prefer to remain anonymous.
A businessman from Barkas, a trader from Begum Bazaar, a vegetable vendor from B.S. Makta, they all visit the orphanage, bearing gifts of cash or kind. Some bring rice, food, others fruits and dates for the kids to break their fast. After much persuasion, Dr Jolly Nair, a visitor, who brought ornaments for the girls, revealed her name but refused to be photographed.
Dr Nair said that she has been coming here every Ramzan since 1981, bringing gifts for the girls. “The left hand should not know the acts of charity the right hand does,” she says, when asked why she is so reluctant to be photographed. “I don’t want people to know about this.”
The businessman from Barkas believes in giving Idi, cash as gifts, to the kids. Refusing to be identified, he makes sure that all the children are present, and hands over a '500 note to each.
“Their smile is reward enough. Anything else the Almighty grants is just a bonus,” he says. While these people try their best to give a good life to the kids, it is the likes of Shakira, the eternal mother figure, who make the children feel that the orphanage is one big family.
