PULWAMA, April 30, 2025— As dawn breaks over Pingalgam in Pulwama, 24-year-old Junaid Ahmad steps into his barn, moving carefully to milk his cows and feed his livestock. This quiet routine begins a day driven by an unwavering commitment to family and community. For Junaid, life is a testament to love, duty, and selflessness.
The sudden loss of his father years ago made Junaid the sole provider for his mother and three younger sisters. At an age when most explore their own paths, he took on a burden few could bear. Yet, he never complains or seeks praise. His modest restaurant in Pingalgam, beloved by locals as the area’s best, is more than a livelihood—it’s a means to secure his family’s future.
“My sisters’ happiness is my first concern,” Junaid says with a soft smile, saving every penny for their weddings. His own dreams remain an afterthought, a mark of his deep humility.
Junaid’s compassion shines brightest during Ramazan, when he closes his restaurant to serve others. For the entire month, he volunteers at a seminary for underprivileged children in a nearby town, rising before dawn to cook meals for those fasting. Beyond filling their stomachs, he offers warmth and wisdom, becoming a mentor and brotherly figure. To the children, he is family.
“It’s not about recognition or money,” Junaid says, his hands worn from work but gentle. “I do it because it’s my duty to serve. These children are the future. If I can help, I will.”
His selflessness extends beyond Ramazan. At weddings or community events in Pingalgam, Junaid is the first to help, often closing his restaurant to cook or provide groceries from his own pocket. “If I have the means to help, I will,” he says simply.
The people of Pingalgam hold Junaid in high regard. Ghulam Rasool, a local baker, says, “Junaid’s kindness is unmatched. He only wants to help others.” Anwar, the village tailor, adds, “He’s a role model. He teaches us that service trumps wealth or fame.”
Through quiet acts, Junaid has become a symbol of compassion in a self-interested world. His goals are simple: build a home, grow his dairy farming business, maybe buy a car. But these are for his loved ones, not himself. “I want them [his family] to be happy,” he says. “When they are settled, I will think about my own happiness.”
In Pulwama’s Pingalgam, Junaid Ahmad is more than a restaurateur or farmer—he embodies duty, humility, and love, inspiring a community to value service above all.
