‘If We Don’t Help Them, Who Will?’: This 22-YO Mobilised 600 Youth to Rescue Kashmir’s Homeless & Mentally Ill

In the heart of conflict-stricken Kashmir, where unrest has long overshadowed the human spirit, a quiet revolution of compassion is taking place — led not by an established institution, but by a 22-year-old with a fierce resolve to restore dignity to those abandoned by society.

Driven by a simple yet powerful question — “If we don’t help them, who will?” — this young changemaker has rallied over 600 youth volunteers across the Valley to rescue, rehabilitate, and care for the homeless and mentally ill.

A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight

Among the snow-laden streets and bustling markets of Kashmir lie the unseen — men and women with no homes, suffering silently from mental illnesses, wandering aimlessly, ignored by passersby. Stigma, lack of infrastructure, and decades of conflict have left this vulnerable population to fend for themselves.

What shocked this 22-year-old most wasn’t just the conditions — it was the silence.

Instead of waiting for someone to act, he stepped forward.

How the Movement Began

Starting with a small group of friends and some borrowed blankets, the initiative began by offering food and warm clothing during Kashmir’s bitter winters. As word spread, more youth joined — students, working professionals, and even unemployed youth seeking meaning and purpose.

What began as an act of kindness quickly became an organized movement. Today, the team has a network of over 600 volunteers across districts, operating under a mission-driven umbrella that focuses on rescue, mental health first aid, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

More Than Rescue — Restoring Dignity

Volunteers locate individuals living on the streets — often disoriented or severely ill — and work with local doctors and authorities to transport them to shelters or hospitals. Once stabilized, many are reunited with families, while others are placed in long-term care homes.

But their efforts go further — organizing regular health checkups, psychological counseling, hygiene kits, and even legal aid when needed.

Each success story is deeply personal. A man missing for 12 years, reunited with his daughter. A woman believed to be mentally unstable, now recovering and employed at a local NGO. These stories are not just statistics — they’re lives being restored one act at a time.

Youth Power in Action

What makes this effort truly revolutionary is the power of youth. While the world often writes off the younger generation as distracted or indifferent, Kashmir’s youth have stepped up to become frontline responders to a humanitarian crisis.

Their work stands as a counter-narrative to despair — proof that when the young are empowered with purpose, they can change the world.

Looking Ahead: Building a System of Care

Now, with increasing recognition, the team is working on building a permanent shelter and mental health center in Kashmir, supported by donations and partnerships with mental health professionals. The long-term goal is to make mental healthcare accessible, community-driven, and stigma-free.

The 22-year-old leader remains humble, choosing to focus not on accolades, but on the lives yet to be saved. “It’s not just about one person. It’s about building a society that refuses to look away.”