Mumbaikar Asma Shaikh realises dream of a one-bedroom apartment

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<strong>Wise and successful persons always advise everyone to dream because that is what makes one strive for an object and get what one wants.</strong></p>
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This is what exactly happened in Asma Shaikh’s life. This 17-year-old Mumbaikar dreamed of owning a house and her prayers were answered when this week, she along with her family moved to a one bedroom apartment.</p>
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Located on Mumbai’s Mohammad Ali Road, this will be the address for Shaikh and her family members for the next three years. This flat has been provided to them by a group of Samaritans living abroad, who raised money to pay the rent for this flat, till Shaikh graduates.</p>
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These people were moved by her story which garnered attention last year (2020), when she passed her Class X examinations when she was living on South Mumbai’s footpath. Studying there under the streetlights she cleared her exams.</p>
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On this very footpath, Salim Shaikh, her father, used to eke out an honest living by selling juice but the two waves of Covid-19 followed by the lockdowns hit his business and him very hard.</p>
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Yet, he spoke with pride when his daughter cleared the SSC examinations with 40 per cent and got admission in KC College.</p>
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This year in July this young student in an interview with BBC had said: “I want to study so I can buy a house. I want to move my family away from this footpath.”</p>
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According to report in ndtv.com, Shaikh recalling her struggle to BBC, revealed that during the lockdown she attended online classes as the college was closed. She said: <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/from-living-on-footpath-to-house-in-mumbai-a-dream-come-true-for-asma-shaikh-2528376">"It is very tough to attend</a> online classes like this, that's why I want to move," she said. "I am forced to study at night under dim lights. At times, the police removes all footpath-dwellers – at those times we are forced to walk around all night long.”</p>
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Her poignant tale touched thousands of hearts and help poured in for her.</p>
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Mumbai based non-governmental organisation, Mumbai-Aai Caretaker, has disclosed in their Facebook post that a petroleum executive from Qatar, Nausheer Ahmed Khan, has decided to sponsor her education. He will be donating Rs.3,000 every month till she completes her studies.</p>
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Not only this, but a group of people living abroad have collected a sum of Rs.1.2 lakh which will take care of her basic needs and comfort till she becomes a graduate. This money will be used to pay the rent for the flat, electricity bills and cater to the family’s basic needs.</p>
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With a roof above her head, this college going girl was overwhelmed and said: “I am so happy.”</p>