Slain Leopold waiter's family struggles on

Paripasha Mehboob Ali Shaikh was among the seven killed by gunmen at Cafe Leopold on the night of November 26, 2008. For the 42-year-old waiter’s wife and five children the agony isn’t over.

“My father was like a protective cover for us. Without him, we feel vulnerable even today,” says Muneera Shaikh, the eldest daughter, at their shanty in Mahim. The 18-year-old left her studies midway as they could not afford the cost.

The Shaikhs received a compensation of Rs5 lakh from the government and have been getting Rs5,000 monthly from the Leopold owners.

Hussainbi, Paripasha’s wife, is distressed that she could not buy her children new clothes for Eid. “This was never the case when my husband was alive,” she says.

Paripasha was the sole breadwinner of the family. Their grief was doubled when his brother also passed away within a year, apparently overwhelmed by the loss. Now, the family is worried what might happen when the help dries up.

“Since my husband wasn’t a government employee, I was not granted any job. But I am ready to do any odd work,” says Hussainbi.

Muneera is assisting a fashion designer so she can earn a little to pay for the schooling and other expenses of her brothers and sisters. She would like to take up designing as a career but the course fees are beyond their reach. “So, I hope to learn through this job,” she says.

The children do not want their mother to go out to work as she doesn’t keep well. “We hope to shoulder the responsibilities in a few years,” Muneera says. She hasn’t given up hopes of graduation and her example seems to have inspired her siblings.

“My younger sister, who is in Std IX, aspires to be a journalist. All she requires is some direction,” she says.