This fundraiser will benefit Smt. Anita, Smt. Mithilesh, Smt. Savitri and their family from the Khori Gaon area of Faridabad, Haryana. On June 7, the Supreme Court of India ordered the demolition of residential properties in Khori Gaon, stating that they had been built ‘illegally’ on forest land. Despite concerns raised by experts from the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Supreme Court refused to stay the demolition order. Last month, this joint family of 13, who has been living in the Khori Gaon area for 3 generations, were informed about the demolition. They had not received any prior information regarding the same and experienced prolonged water and power cuts. On 24th July their house in Khori Gaon was demolished in front of them. There has been no indication thus far from any of the concerned authorities or the Supreme Court regarding compensation or rehabilitation. They have been left helpless.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the members of the family have not been able to find work. Those who have managed to find work are paid meagre amounts, nowhere close to the actual compensation they deserve for their work. The lack of daily wage employment during the pandemic has caused them to spend their meagre savings to keep their children fed. Amidst this extreme financial strain, they have lost their home, their only blanket of security in these tough times. Anita ji, Mithilesh ji and Savitri ji have been working for a student-run social entrepreneurship project for the last two years. They create sustainable products such as pouches, tote bags, masks, earrings etc. Despite the extenuating circumstances they have been through, they have still worked consistently and have created high-quality products. However, in the last month, they have not been able to take any orders due to the power cuts they have faced in addition to their displacement from their only home.

Anita ji, Mithilesh ji and Savitri ji and their family have now shifted to a rented house in the Lakarpur area. Their monthly rent is Rs. 13,000 and additional expenses i.e water, electricity, groceries and medicines, cost up to Rs. 10,000. They are planning on shifting to another area in Lal Kuan as the houses in the Lakarpur area will also be demolished soon. However, they do not have sufficient funds for the same and are in urgent need of your help. They’ve already exhausted their financial savings due to the pandemic. And with a looming third wave, sweltering heat, and monsoon, their survival will be extremely difficult without proper shelter. Given their situation, we intend to raise an amount of Rs. 45,000 that will cover 2 months of their rent and a few other expenses including electricity and groceries. We sincerely request you to extend a helping hand, any contribution will be of great help, no amount is small.