On 30 June, 2026, Yaseen Ahmad Ganie enters his shop with a spate of serenity. He sits on a chair behind the counter of the shop and deals with customers smoothly, smiles brimming from his face. Outside his shop is a team of Miles2Smile standing, witnessing his joy. Today is his smile shop’s inauguration day. The shop, which was a skeletal structure, now is stacked with goods.
The Smile Shop is an initiative of Miles2Smile to bring the economically weak people who have witnessed communal hatred back to livelihood. In the span of six years, Miles2Smile has travelled the nook and cranny of the county and established Smile Shop. The name “Smile Shop” highlights the organization’s long-term commitment towards bringing smiles in the lives of survivors through long-term relief and rehabilitation works. A few of which could be seen here, here, here, and here.
Yaseen’s Smile Shop, like other smile shops, also holds a story. The one that writhed in pain. On January 28, 2026, his 18-year-old son Tabish Ahmad went on the street of Vikashnagar, Uttarakhand, to sell shawls. A tradition that Kashmiris follow during winter to generate livelihood.
While in an attempt to generate income for his family, the young boy Tabish was met with hatred. He was attacked on the basis of his Kashmiri Muslim identity. The assault, which widely traveled on social media platforms, takes its roots from when Tabish’s stomach alarmed hunger and he reached a shop to buy food to fill his belly. However, the shopkeeper did not pay heed to the demand and assaulted him.
“This is a Hindu village. Kashmiri Muslims won’t work here at all,” the shopkeeper was heard saying in the viral video.
Tabish was left bleeding and bruised on the street while his brother also sustained injuries. Tabish’s assault was not the first in the series of assaults on Kashmiri’s vendors. It only compounded the fear of security amongst the community.
When Miles2Smile travelled to Uttarakhand to meet Tabish and his family, the fear was palpable, but livelihood was also a necessity, and when asked about the education of Tabish, it was to them far-fetched.
Miles2Smile promised to restore both. 30th June, 2026, was the day when the family was witnessing both the promises coming true. Tabish’s education was restored months ago, and now their livelihood is through Smile Shop.
“I never expected you all would come to my shop’s inauguration. I’m so happy that you came all this way just for me,” Yaseen said as he saw the team of Miles2Smile outside his shop.
“We travel extra miles to earn smiles; that is why we called ourselves ‘miles2smile,'” the team replied, with the atmosphere changing into happiness and laughter, bringing peace to Yaseen’s heart.
About Miles2Smile: Established nearly five years ago, the Miles2Smile Foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact on marginalized communities in India. From the crisis response during the pandemic to ongoing efforts in education and advocacy, the foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
