We The People: The Matchmaker For Girls From Impoverished Families

Ashvini Jojra, 59, a radical altruist from RS Pura sector along the international border with Pakistan, is set to retire from Jammu and Kashmir바카라�s agriculture department. His story began with demonetisation, which seemed to bother him the least. 바카라�I had only Rs 1,500 at home,바카라� he says, adding, 바카라�The pandemic was a reality check that revealed the vulnerable nature of human existence.바카라� While the regi­on doesn바카라�t have any government educational institute for children with special needs, Jojra has been tirelessly working for them, besides serving the marginalised sections of society.

This matchmaker has arranged over 3,000 marriages of girls from impoverished families. 바카라�We have not received even a single complaint of domestic violence or a failed marriage,바카라� he says, elaborating on how senior government functionaries are also roped in. 바카라�Their presence sends out a strong message that the girls are not destitute.바카라� According to him, the marriage expenditure is arranged thro­ugh contributions, and the requisite goods are often arranged on credit. He credits his parents for his social work besides his wife and daughters who have always stood by him.

Jojra says that the entire social work is going on under the canopy of Serving All Humanity Yearningly Over the Globe (Sehyog India), of which he is the founder-president. He has also been the president of Special Olympics Bharat J&K chapter since 2007.

He proudly states how a child, who would roam around in village lanes naked before joining Sehyog India, has made a mark in the special Olympics. 바카라�Our special athlete Paramjeet Singh has been selected for next year바카라�s Special World Winter Games to be held in Kazan, Russia,바카라� he informs. Ironically, the institute had to be closed and the rented building vacated during the pandemic, which had aggravated its financial problems. Now the staff of the institute pays visits to the students at their homes regularly.

Jojra, whose efforts have been duly acknowledged by the J&K government through a state award, wants to establish north India바카라�s biggest rehabilitation centre for special children in RS Pura. Despite several requests to the government over the past 15 years, he has not been able to secure a small piece of land for this purpose. 바카라�I바카라�m sure I바카라�ll be able to work with renewed zeal post-retirement!바카라� A poet at heart, Jojra remarks, 바카라�Death would be a celebration, if one is loyal to life!바카라�

(This appeared in the print edition as "Committed To The Cause")

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