The Boys Who Stayed: How Kashmir Youth Courage Is Rewriting the Story of the Forgotten
It started with a glimpse — a man on the roadside, torn clothes clinging to him, wild beard, no shoes, no shelter. Most people looked past. But a ten-year-old boy couldn’t.
That image stayed with Musadiq Bashir. He grew up, but the man’s loneliness followed him into adulthood like a silent question: What if that were me?
By 2022, Musadiq, then an engineering student in Pulwama, had seen too many like that man — people society had abandoned. They weren’t just poor. They were lost, mentally unwell, forgotten by their families and ignored by their communities.
Musadiq decided not to ignore them.
Turning Memory Into Mission
What began with quiet observation soon turned into quiet action. He and a few friends started walking the streets with food packets, blankets, and soap — small things, but offered with care. Slowly, those simple acts turned into something bigger: Kashmir Youth Courage (KYC).
KYC was never about grand gestures. It was about showing up. A group of just over 20 active members became the heart of the initiative. Today, KYC has grown into a volunteer network of 500 to 600 people across Kashmir, helping the invisible regain their place in the world.
In less than two years, they’ve assisted over 45 people — many of them mentally unwell, homeless, or abandoned by families. Some found their way back home. Others found something they hadn’t known in years: safety.
A Shelter with No Conditions
KYC operates from a humble rented space that doubles as a community centre and emergency shelter. At any time, 10 to 15 people live there, receiving not just meals and care, but something deeper — a renewed sense of worth.
Volunteers search the streets daily, not with orders or instructions, but with presence and patience. Many of those they help have been ignored, rejected, or mistreated for years. Building trust is the first step — and it often takes time.
The team approaches with calm and consistency, offering what’s needed most: clean clothes, a bath, a warm meal — and above all, someone willing to stay.
Stories That Stay
One of the toughest rescues involved a former businessman from Srinagar. A financial collapse left him mentally shattered. He walked away from his life and vanished into isolation. When KYC found him, he was volatile and withdrawn. The volunteers stayed — slowly earning his trust. One haircut, one clean shirt, one quiet moment at a time. Eventually, something changed.
Another story is that of Sameer — once abandoned by his family, now a committed KYC volunteer. His journey from suspicion to service is a testament to what happens when someone is seen, not dismissed.
Changing How a Community Sees the Forgotten
At first, KYC’s work confused many. Why help people who seemed beyond help? But over time, perceptions shifted. Shopkeepers began offering food. Strangers brought clothes. Students and professionals joined the mission. KYC wasn’t just changing lives — it was changing the community’s conscience.
Now, where there was once apathy, there’s awareness. Where there was once stigma, there’s solidarity.
Bigger Dreams, Limited Resources
Despite its impact, KYC runs solely on public support. There’s no corporate funding or government aid — just donations, volunteer hours, and shared humanity. Their rented shelter is small. Supplies are often scarce. But the spirit is strong.
Musadiq hopes the KYC model can be replicated elsewhere. He knows this isn’t just a Kashmir issue. Across India — across the world — people are living and dying unnoticed. The need is universal. The solution begins with noticing.
One Small Action at a Time
The message is simple: You don’t need a degree or a big bank account to help. A meal. A conversation. A warm blanket. Even noticing someone on the street is a start.
Because in a world that often looks away, the greatest act of courage is to stop — and care.
Support Kashmir Youth Courage
If you’d like to support their mission:
- Account No: 1003010100000200
- IFSC: JAKA0TOKUNA
- UPI: JKBMERC00260553@jkb
- Contact: +91 9622969690
This isn’t just a story about helping the homeless. It’s about reclaiming humanity — one forgotten soul at a time.