Remembering Sisters Asiya & Maymoona

Mehr-un-Nisa

What was meant to be a joyful day of celebration turned into a devastating tragedy, when two young college students, Asiya Dee and Maymoona Dee, lost their lives in a fatal accident during a college picnic at Vodhpora, Handwara (NH-44). The incident plunged an entire community into mourning.

Asiya and Maymoona were vibrant young student—full of dreams, laughter and the promise of a bright future. That morning, they joined their classmates for a much-anticipated outing, a moment to celebrate friendship and student life. But fate had other plans.

While details of the accident are still under investigation, the profound impact it has left behind is heartbreakingly clear. The suddenness of the tragedy has shaken the families of the girls, the fellow students, teachers and the broader community.

The atmosphere at the college has drastically changed. Classrooms that once buzzed with life now echo with silence. Students—especially those who were present during the picnic—are deeply traumatised, mentally distressed and struggling to process what they witnessed.

“We were all together, laughing, taking photos,” a fellow student recalled, tearfully. “In just a moment, everything shattered. We still can’t believe they’re gone.”

Counselling sessions have been arranged for those most affected, especially eyewitnesses and those who tried to help during the incident. Faculty members, too, are grappling with the emotional toll of losing two bright young students whom they watched grow with potential and promise.

As news of the tragedy spread, waves of support poured in from Handwara, neighboring areas and even the army convoy passing through. Candlelight vigils, prayer meetings, and condolence gatherings were held to honor Asiya and Maymoona. Their families have received endless sympathies, but nothing can fill the void left behind.

“They were our pride,” a grieving relative said. “No words can fill this emptiness.”

This tragedy has also reignited a broader conversation on road safety and infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir.

From poor road infrastructure and lack of proper signage to institutional issues like corruption and negligence, multiple factors contribute to rising accidents. Rarely do we see traffic personnel actively enforcing rules on these roads—leading to frequent violations, over speeding and even underage driving.

Though authorities claim the implementation of digital monitoring technologies, the digital divide and lack of infrastructure remain stark. There is also a visible absence of grassroots capacity-building programs to educate drivers and the general public on safe driving practices.

Educational institutions, especially colleges and universities must become active hubs for road safety awareness. Integration of safety programs into the curriculum, workshops, rallies, and outreach services can help cultivate a culture of responsibility and awareness.

In the wake of this tragedy, students and community leaders have called for immediate reforms and safety protocols during educational trips to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.

As part of a sustainable approach to road safety, the following recommendations should be considered:

1: Infrastructure Under Gati Shakti: J&K, given its challenging terrain and seismic vulnerability, must be prioritised under the national Gati Shakti initiative.

2: Role of BRO: As a border region, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) must expand its efforts to improve connectivity, particularly widening and securing key stretches such as NH-44 from Kupwara to Sopore.

3: Rural Connectivity through PMGSY: The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana should not only maintain but expand its work, focusing on renovating old roads and bridges to enhance rural accessibility.

4: Community Capacity Building: Civil society, NGOs, youth and academic institutions must collaborate with the government to execute best practices, enforce traffic laws, and formulate action plans to reduce accidents—especially in disaster-prone zones like Vodhpora, known for past accidents.

The memories of Asiya Dee and Maymoona Dee, remain etched in our hearts. They were more than just students—they were daughters, sisters, friends, and shining stars, extinguished too soon.

As students of GDC Sogam, we humbly request the college administration to consider renaming campus infrastructure in their honor. Let their legacy of compassion, academic excellence, and vibrant spirit be immortalized. Mental health support must also be prioritised for traumatized students as part of post-disaster recovery.

Let us return to college—not in despair, but in resilience, continuing our pursuit of learning and prayer with renewed strength and unity.

The writer is a 3rd-semester student at GDC Sogam and an eyewitness to the accident. She can be reached at peermehrunisa9@gmail.com