Heartwarming! Army Officer In Kashmir Adopts A Boy Who Can't Speak And Hear

In May this year, India lost 5 of its security men including Col Ashutosh Sharma and Major Anuj Sood during an encounter in Chanjimula village near Handwara.

The same village has now produced a story of love, respect, and compassion that will remain in the memories of the villagers for a long time to come.

Indiatimes

It was a usual day of patrolling for Major Kamlesh Mani, Rashtriya Rifles in August when he saw a young boy named Gawhaur Mir sitting in the corner of the road. As a part of his routine, Mani soon approached the boy for the usual information, only to realize that boy is both deaf and mute.

¡°I got to know that Gawhar can¡¯t speak and listen. I spent some time there and tried to understand him. There was a curious look in his eyes that caught my attention. I offered him chocolates that he happily accepted and even invited him to my camp¡± Major Mani told Indiatimes.

To Major Mani¡¯s surprise, Gawhar actually turned up to the army camp, something which is considered to be unusual for the kids in Kashmir.

Indiatimes

¡°The innocent guy actually turned up at the camp, but unfortunately I wasn¡¯t present at that moment. My colleagues offered him food which he refused but kept waiting for me right there until I showed up. When some in the camp offered him money, he displayed his wallet, clearly establishing that he wasn¡¯t there for the money but for Major Mani. That meant a lot for me¡± Major Mani said.

As soon as Gawhar caught the glimpse of Major Mani returning to the camp, he ran towards the officer and showed him the crate of apples he brought for him and other officers. This exchange of small gifts, first chocolate and then a crate of apples, sowed the seeds of friendship that led to Major Mani adopting Gawhar.

Indiatimes

Now Major Mani is not just funding the boy's education but has also purchased a smartphone for him so the two of them can still keep in touch.

Meeting his family was an emotional moment for Major Mani and the officer soon realized that the disease runs in his family. 5 out of 9 family members had the same issue.

Indiatimes

Seeing this, the officer offered to help Gawhar in his medical treatment which his father was initially apprehensive to accept. But it was his grandmother who showed trust in the officer. ¡±Jahan le jaana hai le jao, jo doctor mile theek hai, par isse badda aadmi bana kar waapas laana.¡± the grandmother told the officer in Kashmiri.

Gawhar¡¯s life has already changed. He is now studying in DEIC (District Early Intervention Center) Handwara and is getting medical treatment from the best doctors in the district.

Even though the Doctors have declared that Gawhar is 70% disabled, this hasn¡¯t stopped the officer who has taken his responsibility for life. His next efforts will be to get him the best medical facilities in Delhi, Chennai, or Bangalore.

Indiatimes

This friendship of a 16-year old boy with an Army officer has set an example of a cordial relationship between security forces and civilians in a conflict-ridden valley.

Let¡¯s hope that more such heartwarming stories of friendship and mutual respect pave the way for peace in the valley where teens, not much older than Gawhar, have often picked up guns against the military.