PESHAWAR: Gautum Singh Arora, a 7th grader from the Sikh community, has received widespread appreciation for his voluntary work during the postflash flood relief work in Buner district.

In a chat with Dawn during his short trip to Peshawar, he said he believed in the concept of universal humanism beyond all kinds of prejudices. Mr Arora earned the title of `little hero` online due to his selfless volunteer services.

He studies in a private school in Mardan and dreams to become a volunteer in future.

He stated that he wanted the youth to grow up with the spirit of serving humanity. `Bacha Khan had instilled the vision of service for all alongside philosophy of non-violence.Mr Arora`s family shifted from Buner to Mardan a few years ago as his father, Jagtendar Lal Aroa Singh, a rickshaw driver, wanted his son to get quality education and grab a well-paid job or become a businessman. However, his son turned out to be a little hero in his teens.

Arora emerged as a symbol of interfaith harmony and selfless service earning recognition as a little hero through his volunteer work with Khudai Khidmatgar Movement and several other charity bodies in the flood-hit districts, including Buner.

Mr Arora rushed to his home town, Pir Baba, along with his family soon after the horrible scenes of flash floods went viral on social media.

`History is my favourite subject and it was the book by Bacha Khan that really changed him as it advocated selfless service for humanity. I work with differentvolunteer organisations as I believe in universal concept of humanism,` the teenager observed.

He said he did everything he could from bringing homemade meals for relief workers to cleansing shops to attending affected people in the relief camps. `My parents taught me to work for humanity`s betterment,` Mr Arora said. He said he was thankful to his schoolteachers for granting him special leave to participate in a great social cause.

The story of the teenager challenges stereotypes, and fosters hope for a more united society.

Arora`s journey serves an inspiring narrative for Pakistan`s youth reminding us that true heroism lies in selfless action. `For youth my message is to build communities through interfaith harmony and volunteer services beyond biases,` he said.