Despite tough life, young Afghans feel at home

Abdul Wali Ahadi, 22, who lives in Khirki Extension, had to repeat school after coming to India. He says he had already completed school in Afghanistan when his family came to India five years ago with his mother, two brothers and a sister. “No university was willing to give me admission because I did not have documents. Now I am doing BA first year through open university when I should have finished graduation,” says Ahadi.

Ahadi, who is pretty articulate and has a deep interest in international relations, says one of the biggest problems of young refugees is lack of education and job opportunities.

“Everyone demands a long term visa. We applied in January 2016 but are yet to get it,” says Ahadi. “We are in a peculiar situation in India, we are foreigners and yet we are not. Our only identity is the UNHCR refugee card,” says Ahadi.

There are many youngsters in the Afghan community who want to settle down in India, many aspire for jobs, others want to do business.

“We came to India oneand-a-half years back because of the bad security situation in our country. My family depends on the meagre income of my brother who works as a photo editor. I want to settle down and do business in

We came to India oneandahalf years back because of the bad security situation in our country. My family depends on the meagre income of my brother who works as a photo editor

India,” says Ahmad Seyar Bakhshi, 18, who lives in Tilak Nagar .

Elias Sidiqi, 20, who also lives in Tilak Nagar with his father, mother, two sisters and three brothers, is doing his 12th through open school. His family, he says, survives on money sent by relatives. Sidiqi says his neighbours in Delhi are always ready to help. Like Ahadi, he too believes the Indian government could help by easing norms of long-term visas.

“It will give us some sense of stability. I would be happy spending the rest of my life in Delhi,” he says.

Talking of social contacts, he says, he has friends only in the Afghan community. “Language and culture is a bit of a barrier, but I wish to make some Indian friends too.”