Srinagar, Dec 29: Aged Ghulam Muhammad (name changed) had lost all hope for treatment of his chronic ailment as his sons did not provide him money for it. 
 However Athrout, a voluntary organization into humanity services based in  Shaher-e-Khaas came to his rescue. For past three months, he is receiving free medicines and treatment. 
 Dr Showkat Shah a post graduate from Government Medical College Srinagar provides weekly medical consultation to this hapless man. Dr Showkat  is among a group of medicos who provide voluntary services to the needy people through Athrout.
 This organization was formed a few years ago by prominent Islamic scholar Moulana Bashir Ahmad Nadvi. The organization has evolved with time while people from different walks of life started lending a helping hand towards the noble cause.
 In the earlier days Moulana Nadvi and his Madrasa disciples would provide  assistance on various fronts to the needy mostly women and orphans in Kashmir.
 Athrout operates from a three storied rented building of Intizama Committee of Masjid Shaief at Nawakadal.
 “Athrout also provides basic necessities to the students of poor families like monthly fee, books and uniforms so that their studies would not suffer. Many students are enrolled in private schools,” said Moulana Nadvi Chairman Athrout.
 “Some young minds of Nawa Kadal area in Shaher-e-Khaas are helping the needy and poor people by helping them in terms of monetary support and free medical checkup and free medicines,” he added.
 A group of people including Nawakadal shopkeepers donated some money to keep the organization operational. On the instance of Dr Showkat and other two female doctors a pharma company provides free samples to Athrout.
 For various medical tests, some private organizations at Batamalloo offer their diagnostic facilities on no profit no loss basis. A group of beneficiaries sent by Gousia Hospital Khanyar are also provided assistance in getting the diagnostic tests done.
 However, Athrout won’t be able to provide weekly free medical camp to the needy because Dr Showkat Shah is scheduled to leave the state soon. His tenure at Government Medical College in Srinagar would end soon. “This has left us in a fix. Doctors need to come forward to sustain the noble cause otherwise providing free medical assistance won’t be possible for us”, Moulana Nadvi said.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST