WIDOW'S GOLD, PIGGY BANKS, MOTORBIKES, COWS: KASHMIR DONATES FOR IRAN

SRINAGAR, March 25 (Bernama-dpa) -- Residents of India-administered Kashmir carried out a major donation drive for relief efforts for those affected by the conflict in Iran, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

People donated cash, gold, copper utensils and children’s piggy banks in a series of community initiatives coordinated across Kashmir, an organiser said on Wednesday.

The Iranian embassy in New Delhi thanked the people of Kashmir in posts on the social media platform X and also provided a QR code for scanning and paying directly to its bank account.

"With hearts full of gratitude, we sincerely thank the kind people of Kashmir for standing with the people of Iran through their humanitarian support and heartfelt solidarity; this kindness will never be forgotten. Thank you, India."

The India-administered region of Kashmir shares historical, cultural and religious ties with Iran.

The killing of the Iranian religious leader Ali Khamenei in Israeli-United States (US) bombings earlier this month saw days of protests in the region.

Across cities and villages, the call for donations drew a strong response, with many contributing despite financial constraints.

Volunteers went door to door, mobilising support through mosque announcements, social media and local networks.

Media reports and social media videos showed donations flowing in through the house-to-house collections, including cash, gold ornaments, traditional copper- and silverware, motorbikes, livestock and even children’s savings.

Among the most widely shared moments of the drive was the story of a widow who donated a gold ornament she had preserved for 28 years as a memento of her late husband.

A woman who arrived in a wheelchair donated gold earrings along with cash.

The Iranian Embassy shared a video of a tiny Kashmiri girl offering her piggy bank savings, adding, "The people of Iran will never forget this beautiful act. Thank you for reminding the world that even the smallest hands can do great things."

Most of the donation drives were organised by neighbourhood committees operating through imambaras, the congregation halls of Muslim communities.

Several legislators from the region donated a month’s salary for the relief fund.

The contributions will be channelled through official relief organisations and the Iranian Embassy to ensure they reach those in need, said Mohsin Ali, an organiser of the collection drive in the Budgam district.

-- BERNAMA-dpa