Sunday, 22 June 2014

 It was just a fortnight ago when Mohsin Shaikh left Solapur, empty stomach, having got delayed for his train as he was busy repairing his father's 20-year-old scooter. It was only after the scooter whirred to life and he was convinced his father would have a comfortable ride did he rush for his train.

Mohsin was scheduled to visit his family again on Friday, June 6, and his mother had made elaborate plans to cook his favourite meal, keeping in mind that her son had left home empty stomach the last time.

"He came to Solapur every fortnight and each time he would try to make us happy and distract us from our poor financial condition. He would tell us that he would take us all to Pune once he got a job with Wipro, for which he had given an interview two months ago," said Sadiq Shaikh, Mohsin's father.

Family came first for Mohsin and he sent Rs 11,000 back home every month. His family had lost their only other source of income - an STD booth - three years ago to poor business. A business Mohsin had once incidentally saved.

"There was communal tension in Solpaur in 2002 and an angry mob was torching shops. The mob had then moved to our booth. However, people there said it was Mohsin's shop and the mob did not touch it. Mohsin was known for his supportive nature and had won hearts people from every community," recalled Sadiq.

Mohsin had started assisting his father when he was still studying in a local college. He was pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in geography, but his father was determined to get him professional education, hoping a well-paying job would help the family tide over its financial woes in the long run.

"When Mohsin came with his father for admission, we were surprised why an arts student wants to become a software professional. It was his father who encouraged him to take the admission," said a teacher from the polytechnic where Mohsin did small courses in hardware testing and programming. He then went on clear exams for Microsoft Certified Professional when he got a call from Wipro, a dream job he was looking forward to. Mohsin was working with a private firm for software testing since four years.

Abhijeet Gund, Mohsin's childhood friend said, "Mohsin was an encouraging friend. We spent hours talking movies and cricket, but he was never interested in politics. Mohsin was a responsible person and always used to think about doing something for his family."

Mohsin's mother Shabana Shaikh suffers from low blood pressure and has been in a state of shock ever since she was told about his death. She has already been admitted to the hospital a couple of times, after she fainted on hearing the news.

"The doctors have advised her to not to speak with anyone over the issue. We also try and stay composed in front of her so that she doesn't suffer more," said Shaikh Mohammad Gaus, Mohsin's uncle.

Mohsin was murdered by a mob of 30-40 people on Monday night in Hadapsar, Pune. He had just left home to offer the namaz at the local mosque near his residence and gone to collect dinner. He was on his way back home when he was stopped by a mob on bikes. They hit with hockey sticks, killing him. He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead.