Kashmir at crossroads: Orphanages need to rethink caregiving in the Valley

The J&K government's department of social welfare runs welfare institutions for the state's orphans

On a rainy afternoon in April 2017, 25 girls filled a medium-sized room at Markazi Falahi Masturat, an orphanage for girls in Anantnag, 56 km south-east of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir’s capital.

Shafts of light entered the room through two rectangular windows and the girls were in a hurry to finish their homework before the light faded.

Fatima, 11, dressed in a salwar kameez and a head scarf, watched as I chatted with the other girls but seemed hesitant to join in. When she finally opened up, I realised why her voice cheers and inspires the children and