Months after the barbaric lynching of Aamir Khan, a 28-year-old pickup driver from Palla, Haryana, his family found themselves witnessing a sense of happiness. The reason was a simple act of generosity: the inauguration of their Smile Shop.
On the 5th of July, 2026, the threshold of Aamir’s house saw festivities as the ribbon of his brother Imran’s Smile shop was snipped. Glee touted, and applause unfolded, but what made it significantly jubilant was the relief the inauguration traveled with. A source of income. A hope for a better future.
Aamir was the sole breadwinner of the family; his death eroded the financial stability of the house. With prices of the commodities burgeoning, their stability shook deeply. Miles2Smile, in their follow-ups for the well-being of the family, scrutinized the needs and decided to create a dignified flow of income in the house. In an attempt to create one, Miles2Smile established a smile shop for Imran.
The event of the inauguration started with an honoring ceremony. Imran and his father, Lateef, were draped in a white shawl, representing respect and dignity. Shortly after this, a conversation progressed revolving around the future growth and assistance for Smile Shop.
Miles2Smile assured Imran to walk with him in the journey of eking out a living. “We will make sure that your shop has everything required; we will provide everything needed,” Aasif Mujtaba, Founder & Director, Miles2Smile, said.
A smile took its way on Imran’s face when Miles2Smile became the first customer of his Smile Shop, purchasing the goods he placed with the hope of selling.
“The moment was priceless for me. When my son Aamir was killed, the house not only crumbled emotionally but financially as well. Today, it seems the house is learning to rise again,” said Aamir and Imran’s mother.
The Smile Shop is not just a means of earning a livelihood; it is a step towards rebuilding the family’s financial security and dignity. But establishing a shop was not the only aim of the organization. At Miles2Smile, we work for the survivors believe that if hatred can shatter their lives, love can patch them back even stronger. The inauguration ceremony was one such remainder.
“I am hopeful I will be able to create an amount enough to run the house. Financial stability will soon be back with this shop,” Imran said.
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.
About Smile Shop: The Smile Shop is an initiative of Miles2Smile to bring the economically weak people who have witnessed mob lynching, targeted demolition, communal violence, and other hate crime back to financial stability through a dignified source of 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
