Crescent Hospital, which renders free and subsidised services to the poor, was started by a committed group of young doctors in 1946
The Crescent Hospital
The chaotic and congested Dr. Besant Road at Triplicane has undergone tremendous changes over the years. But The Crescent Hospital remains a popular landmark on the road, rendering free and subsidised health services to the poor for 75 years, even right through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hospital, started by a committed group of young doctors in 1946 on the land donated by the then Prince of Arcot, entered the 75th year of its service last month. The present Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, is the patron of the hospital, while Dr. Syed Khaleefathullah, a Padma Shri awardee, is the president.
N.K.S. Shaik Mujibur Rahman, a doctor practising at the hospital for more than 10 years, said that when the hospital was started, it primarily offered outpatient and circumcision services. “While circumcision of male children is part of the Muslim culture, there were not many hospitals that offered the service at that time. Even if they were offering, the wait time was more as this was an elective procedure,” he said.
Dr. Rahman said the 23-bed hospital now offers a variety of services to all people, irrespective of their religion, at affordable and subsidised cost.
Some of the key services are dialysis, cataract surgery and maternity care because a large number of low and middle income families are in need of them.
“We also treat patients with other serious illnesses by engaging external consultants. For instance, we recently removed a huge fundal fibroid, weighing five kilogram, from a woman who was fighting obesity. Since she was poor, we did it at a subsidised cost,” he said.
A. Muruganandam, medical administrator of the hospital, who also handled its dialysis services, said the hospital was among the few that did not shut its door for a day for its dialysis patients at the peak of COVID-19. “We even handled a few symptomatic cases whose COVID-19 test results were awaited as they were in dire need of dialysis.” At least 15-20 patients underwent dialysis daily.
M. Mohsina Banu, an administrative staff member, said she had handled several patients unable to pay even the subsidised rates charged by the hospital. “We do not turn them away. We provide them free treatment after consulting some of the trusts supporting us.”
The platinum jubilee celebrations were inaugurated last month by the Prince of Arcot. The Prince of Arcot told The Hindu that he truly believed in the saying, “Service to the humanity is service to god,” and the the services offered by the hospital were the need of the hour because of the escalating healthcare expenditure.
He said a lot of what the hospital had achieved today would not have been possible but for the efforts of Dr. Khaleefathullah, who was ably supported by his son Dr. Syed M.M. Ameen, and doctors, nurses and others involved in the administration of the hospital. Many celebrations and free medical services have been planned throughout the year.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Tamil Nadu / by Pon Vasanth B A / October 23rd, 2021
On the occasion of Haryana Day, the All India Unani Tibbi Congress (AIUTC), Haryana, organised a Free Unani medical camp under its “Unani Upchar Janata Ke Dwaar Mission 2025” at Gaushala Road here. The camp served 296 patients, who received free Unani medicines and consultations. The day also marked the annual general body meeting of the All India Unani Tibbi Congress, Haryana.
Dr. Yashbir Gehlawat, District Ayurvedic Officer of Nuh, and Dr. Syed Ahmed Khan, former Deputy Director of CCRUM (Ministry of AYUSH) and Head of Unani at Safdarjung Hospital, attended as special guests.
Dr. Gehlawat encouraged Unani and Ayurvedic practitioners to take pride in their work and assured support for Unani medicine’s development.
Dr. Khan highlighted that organising such free medical camps benefits the public and raises awareness of the Congress’s efforts in promoting Unani healthcare.
Dr. Khan also called on the Haryana government to establish a Deputy Director for Unani in the AYUSH department. Historian and social activist Dr. Siddiq Ahmed Mewati, present as an honorary guest, emphasised the significance of such camps in regions like Mewat, suggesting that adopting Unani treatments could address numerous health issues without the side effects often associated with allopathic medicine.
Dr. Qamaruddin Zakir, President of AIUTC Haryana, expressed gratitude to the Unani doctors from Delhi who contributed to the camp and urged the Haryana government to prioritise the reopening of Akhera Unani Medical College and establish Unani departments in district medical colleges. He also requested that vacant Unani Medical Officer positions be filled through regular recruitment. Dr. Zakir thanked the BJP government for approving 84 Unani Medical Officer posts out of 1,085 sanctioned posts for Ayurvedic Medical Officers.
Dr. Mohammad Arshad Ghiyas, General Secretary of AIUTC Haryana, welcomed the guests and noted that most patients in the camp were treated for seasonal ailments, joint pain, and skin conditions – areas where Unani medicine is particularly effective.
Other notable participants included Dr. Shakeel Ahmed, Israr Ahmed Ajini, Hakeem Atta-ur-Rehman Ajmali (Managing Director of A&S Pharmacy), Aleem Ansari, Imran Qanooji, Hakeem Murtaza Dehlvi, Hakeem Aftab Alam, Dr. Habibullah, Dr. Aslam Ali, Dr. Mohiuddin, Dr. Mohammad Qasim, Dr. Abdul Salam, Dr. Mohammad Umar, Hafiz Akram Ali, and Mohammad Arbaaz. The organisers extended their gratitude to Limra Remedies and Aulia Herbals for their support in making the camp a success.
The programme began with a recitation from the Quran by Hafiz Mohammad Kamil.
Lecturer Ashraf Mewati skilfully conducted the event, and Dr. Mohammad Arshad Ghiyas extended thanks to all participants and contributors in his closing remarks.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / November 04th, 2024
The Islamic Welfare Society in the coastal town of Bhatkal, on the shores of the Arabian Sea, has anchored the lives of lakhs of people within 40 years of its establishment. Registered under the Karnataka Societies Act, IWS provides interest-free Loans to people irrespective of religion, caste and creed. Around 15% of the beneficiaries are non-Muslims.
Loans worth around thirteen crore rupees were disbursed to more than 4800 marginalised persons last year for business, agriculture, education, house repair, medical treatment, marriage, etc. In the initial two months of the current financial year around 2200 people were provided with loans to the tune of 3 crore 42 lakhs.
During the tsunami of demonetization, the IWS rescued around 33 thousand people by offering loans amounting to 35 crores (2017-2019). Another disastrous wave of Covid-19 and the Lockdown gave a heavy blow to weaker sections. The IWS helped around 18 thousand badly-hit people, providing loans amounting to 31 crores (2019-2021).
Custodian, mentor
The Bhatkal Society acts as a custodian too. Various Masjids and NGOs keep their deposit for safety purposes with the Society.
The Society educates petty businessmen and small-time artisans to manage their funds. Pigmy deposit is an effective mode to promote saving habits. Society’s pigmy collectors procure around 1 lakh rupees daily to the needy at their door steps. With a pre and free consent of the depositors these funds are channelized as Interest Free Loans to needy persons. This brings spiritual solace to the depositors.
Systematic distribution of Zakat
The Society has got arrangements for collection and distribution of Zakath fund in an organized manner. Around 550 families of Bhatkal are benefitted through this Scheme. Deserving people in and around Bhatkal are provided with monthly pension of rupees 500, 300 and 200 per month out of the total sanctioned amount for the whole year. It is deposited in their accounts with the Society. The persons concerned withdraw the amount from their accounts as and when needed.
Monthly provision
Some philanthropists wish to help the poor with monthly provision, through the Society. Thirty poor families are provided with ration kits, costing rupees 1500, 1000 and 800. Some people deposit their Zakat amount along with a list of beneficiaries, concealing their identity with beneficiaries, and that amount is distributed accordingly.
Whereas many people deposit their Zakat amount in the Zakat Fund of the Society only and its distribution is left to the discretion of the Society.
Some others contribute particularly to medical needs of the poor. At an average five persons are benefited under this head every month. Even accident victims and people facing health emergencies are helped after confirmation from reliable sources.
Another utilization of our Zakat Fund is education. Poor students of Govt. schools in and around Bhatkal are provided with their essential needs. About 700 deserving students take advantage of this scheme annually. The Society is undertaking distribution of Zakat silently.
Public health is a very vast field in social work. The Society has recently started its work on public health front too, running a hospital under the name of Welfare Hospital. Frequent traveling of people to the nearby Mangalore city for minor health problems has come down to a good extent.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Features> Focus / by Mohammed Atherulla Shariff, Radiance News Bureau / July 13th, 2024
Youngstar Welfare Organization, a group of youth from Mohiddin street (Madina Colony), organized a free medical check-up camp in collaboration with Srinivas Hospital, Surathkal. The camp was held today, Sunday, at Afreen Hall on Jamiaa Abad Road, drawing more than 500 people who came for health screenings and consultations. Many patients also received free medications after their check-ups.
The camp began at 10:00 AM and concluded at 3:00 PM, featuring a diverse team of specialists from Srinivas Hospital. Led by Hospital Manager Freeda D’Souza, the team consisted of 16 doctors, including General Surgeon Dr. Kaushal Shetty, Dermatologist Dr. Stalin, Orthopedic Specialist Dr. Kavish Shetty, and Gynecologist & OBG Specialist Dr. Divyani, as well as doctors from Pediatrics, Cardiology, General Surgery, and Ophthalmology. In addition to free medications, essential tests such as ECGs were conducted free of charge. Some patients were advised to undergo blood tests or other specialized diagnostics.
With the presence of three female doctors and several female staff members, the camp saw a large turnout of women who took advantage of the free services.
At the closing ceremony, Srinivas Hospital’s Senior Business Development Officer, Sadakathulla, emphasized that the hospital, located between Udupi and Mangalore on the Surathkal-Mukka National Highway, has been providing healthcare services for over 14 years.
The hospital, with its 920 beds, offers comprehensive medical care across various specialties, supported by a team of over 100 experienced doctors. It is equipped with modern facilities, including an advanced laboratory with 24/7 CT and MRI scan services. Specialized care in emergency trauma, cardiac, and neurosurgery is also available. He further noted that the hospital accepts all major government and private insurance plans.
The camp was successfully organized under the leadership of Youngstar President Zaheer Ahmed Shaikh and General Secretary Suhail Ahmed Kad-dari. Members Samiullah Shaikh, Sulaiman Bhai, Taufiq Khalifa, Tanveer Faraz, Subhan, and other volunteers played a key role in organizing the camp.
The closing session was attended by prominent community figures, including Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem President Inayatullah Shabandri, Iqbal Suhail, Musaddiq Ruknuddin, Fayyaz Ali Byndoor, and Dr. Nazim, among others.
source: http://www.sahilonline.org / Sahil Online / Home> Coastal News> Featured News / by IG Bhatkal / September 29th, 2024
Shabir and his team stepped in, despite the language barrier, to assist the grieving daughter.
Vellore :
At the chaotic Ariyur auto stand in the heart of Vellore, amidst the blare of honking rickshaws and the buzz of commuters, 39-year-old Mohammed Shabir orchestrates a life-saving mission that few would notice.
With one eye scanning for passengers and the other glued to his phone, he is constantly coordinating urgent blood donations for patients in dire need. For Shabir, it’s more than just a local cause.
His focus stretches across borders and helps patients from as far as West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Assam, who come all the way to Vellore, most of them clinging to the last straw of hope for critical medical treatment.
Since 2019, Shabir has been at the helm of a team of volunteers, racing against time to provide emergency blood donations across the districts of Vellore, Tirupathur, and Ranipet. Their relentless efforts have become a lifeline for patients at their most desperate moments, a beacon of hope in the face of life-threatening crises.
Shabir, a BBA graduate from Vellore, was forced to take up the role of an auto driver in life in 2013 due to financial difficulties at home. However, the course of life changed forever after a personal tragedy struck him.
His father, Ansar Basha, was a kidney patient and was admitted to the Vellore Government Hospital and Medical College. Back then, according to Shabir, the hospital didn’t have a well-equipped facility for dialysis, and despite his desperate efforts, he could not secure a blood donor for his father’s treatment on time.
Tragically, his father passed away within a week due to the unavailability of blood. “The incident shattered me,” Shabir recalls, tears welling up in his eyes. “I couldn’t move on from it for a long time,” he added, reflecting on the event that now fuels his determination to help others.
Driven by this loss, Shabir began arranging blood donations in 2013, focussing particularly on patients from North India, who often face language barriers in Vellore.
Despite financial challenges, Shabir formalised his work in 2019 by rallying a group of volunteers and forming the Nodtigal Trust. Every day, they receive about 10 requests from various hospitals, prioritising the most urgent cases. “We manage to fulfil at least five requests weekly within Vellore,” Shabir said.
The outbreak of Covid-19 added another layer of complexity to their work. Arranging blood donations during the pandemic became increasingly difficult. But Shabir and his team were undeterred, stepping up to the challenge.
In 2020, they encountered a particularly heartbreaking case involving a cancer patient from West Bengal. The patient passed away while her husband was away trying to sell his land to fund treatment. Their daughter was left alone with her mother’s body.
Shabir and his team stepped in, despite the language barrier, to assist the grieving daughter. With the husband’s permission, they arranged for the woman’s burial in Vellore, free of charge. “It was a deeply emotional moment for us,” Shabir said. “The husband saw his wife’s body over a video call and thanked me in Bengali. I couldn’t understand his words, but I could read the emotion on his face.”
What began during the pandemic has now become a regular part of Nodtigal Trust’s work. “We’ve buried over 24 bodies so far, mostly North Indian patients who don’t have any local connections,” Shabir explained. “It costs around Rs 5,000 to bury one body, and we’ve been covering the costs ourselves, with help from friends and well-wishers.” In addition, Shabir also cares for five orphaned girls in Vellore, committing to support them for life.
Looking ahead, Shabir has broader ambitions for the Trust. He is particularly concerned about the lack of awareness and support for transgender people in Vellore. “If any transgender individuals want to study and live a decent life, we are ready to support them,” he said. He also aims to assist mentally ill people found on the streets, helping them reunite with their families.
However, the work is not without challenges. “We sometimes struggle to cover transportation costs for the burials,” Shabir shared. “It would be a great help if the district administration could provide us with an ambulance for these cases.”
(For more details, Mohammed Shabir can be contacted at 9361719520)
(Edited by Sneha Joseph)
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Rajalakshmi Sampath / October 13th, 2024
What’s striking is that nearly 80% of the clinic’s beneficiaries are Hindus, a fact that Maulana Majid considers instrumental in fostering communal harmony. “Serving these impoverished communities is our way of contributing to unity in diversity,” he stated with conviction.
Rahman Care Clinic nestled within the heart of Samrat Nagar in Neral
As Lakshmi made her third visit to the Rahman Foundation Care Clinic nestled within the heart of Samrat Nagar in Neral, Maharashtra, She couldn’t help but praise the unparalleled treatment offered at nominal charges. “It’s my third time here, and each visit reaffirms the exceptional care and expertise of the doctors. The nominal fees we pay for such quality treatment is unparalleled,” she expressed gratefully.
Some Hindu patients at Rahman Care Clinic.
Echoing Lakshmi’s sentiment, Maulana Shaih Majid, overseeing the medical section of the Rahman Foundation, emphasized the significant role the clinic plays in the lives of the predominantly Maratha Hindu population. “The locals, hailing from modest backgrounds, hold the clinic staff and doctors in high regard, almost akin to semi-gods,” he mentioned with pride.
What’s striking is that nearly 80% of the clinic’s beneficiaries are Hindus, a fact that Maulans Majid considers instrumental in fostering communal harmony. “Serving these impoverished communities is our way of contributing to unity in diversity,” he stated with conviction.
Kavita, another patient, expressed her regularity at Rahman Clinic. “I’m a frequent visitor. The care and treatment we receive here, priced at a mere 20 rupees including medication, is a lifeline for the underprivileged. A simple injection costs just 10 rupees,” she shared, highlighting the clinic’s affordability and accessibility for those in need.
Other patients echoed similar sentiments, praising not only the cost-effective treatment but also the warm and courteous demeanor of the entire clinic staff. “Here, we receive top-notch treatment at minimal expenses, and the staff’s friendliness adds a comforting touch to our visits,” remarked another patient.
The clinic’s roster of highly qualified doctors further elevates its reputation. Professionals like Dr. Vajaykumar Pawar (MBBS), Dr. Dipnayan Shinde Pawar (MBBS, MD), Dr. Samiya (BUMS), and Dr. Sana (MPTH) cater to the medical needs of patients at Neral Rahman Foundation Clinic, ensuring expert care within a modest setting.
Rahman Foundation’s reach extends far beyond the boundaries of Neral. With a network encompassing nine Rahman Clinics, four hospitals, and a diagnostic center spread across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, the foundation extends its services to 8,000 to 10,000 patients monthly, all at nominal charges. Additionally, the foundation actively conducts medical check-up camps to further extend its outreach.
The journey of Rahman Foundation, initiated in 1995 under the guidance of the visionary Islamic scholar Maulana Khaleelur Rahman Sajjad Naumani, has been nothing short of remarkable. From establishing Islamic seminaries to introducing CBSE pattern English medium schools, the Foundation’s evolution has been multifaceted. In 2017, it ventured into providing medical services. Over the last five years, the foundation has expanded its footprint, setting up Rahman Care Clinics, Rahman Hospitals, and Rahman Diagnostic Centers across five states, catering to approximately 8,000 to 10,000 patients every month.
‘Our vision is to expand and replicate this model across India’ said Maulana Majid with promising eyes.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Health> Indian Muslim> Positive Story / by Special Correspondent, Muslim Mirror / December 19th, 2023
Mother and Child Health and Nutrition Program in Nandurbar
Nandurbar:
Project Rise, the Dawoodi Bohra community’s global philanthropic arm, announced the launch of ‘Mother and Child Health and Nutrition Program’ in the Nandurbar district of Maharashtra to support over 600 beneficiaries for the next 3 years.
This program is undertaken in partnership with the Association for Nutrition and Development Action (ANNADA), Nandurbar District Authorities and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The comprehensive program will provide micronutrient-, fortified energy-dense food to malnourished children below six years and pregnant and lactating mothers across 10 Anganwadi centres. It will also educate pregnant and lactating mothers on breastfeeding and monitoring their health to mitigate physical and cognitive growth in children.
Thanking the Dawoodi Bohra community & ANNADA for initiating the program, Mr. Krishna Rathod, the Deputy CEO (Women and Child Development), Nandurbar Zilla Parishad said, “A health and nutrition initiative like this will go a long way in making a difference in the lives of undernourished children and achieving a hunger-free and healthy nation.
Alvin D’souza, Program Head at ANNADA, said, “Child undernutrition can lead to severe developmental issues, diseases, infections and even death. It is at the root of all the social problems and severely impacts national socio-economic development. Our program will use simple, community-relevant, ready-to-eat meals that provide almost 1/3rd of a child’s recommended dietary requirement of micronutrients. Most of these meals are millet-based and rich in protein. We are glad to have partnered with the Dawoodi Bohra community to be able to impact the lives of children in Nandurbar.”
In his address at the launch event, Kutubkhan Badri, representative of His Holiness in the nearby town of Shahada said, ” Our community leader His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin guides us to show empathy and compassion, and look after the well-being of people, particularly those in need.”
“Our community collaborated with ANNADA around five years ago to fight against malnutrition in Govandi near Mumbai and Roha near Raigad District of Maharashtra, where we saw significant change in the health of our beneficiaries. This project in Nandurbar is an extension of our nutrition and zero-hunger objective of Project Rise.”
The program in Nandurbar was launched in September to support the Government of India’s “Rashtriya Poshan Maah”, or National Nutrition Month, which promotes nationwide awareness of nutrition and hunger, especially for mothers and children.
India is home to the largest population of hungry people and almost 1/3rd of the world’s malnourished children. Almost every third child under 5 years suffers from stunting and about 20% suffer from wasting as per the National Family Health Survey 2019-21.
Maharashtra has a significant burden of child malnutrition, with less than 10% of children under 2 having access to an adequate diet. The situation is incredibly complex in rural and tribal areas. Working hand in hand with local communities, partners and Anganwadi centres can yield positive outcomes and raise the level of nutrition, health, and overall well-being of families.
About Project Rise
Established in 2018, Project Rise is the Dawoodi Bohra community’s social welfare endeavour working in partnership with local community volunteers and government bodies to alleviate hunger and malnutrition, provide access to education, address water insecurity issues, raise health and hygiene levels among children & families, and preserve and protect the environment.
About ANNADA
ANNADA is a seven-year-old not-for-profit organisation with a vision to realise a Hunger-free and nourished India. ANNADA has provided over 16 million safe, hygienic, micronutrient-fortified meals while supporting more than 1.6 lakh beneficiaries, reducing malnutrition cases by 50-60% across various interventions implemented in rural tribal areas.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim> Positive Story / by Muslim Mirror Network / September 12th, 2023
It is not rare to find Muslims doing social work silently, unwilling to promote themselves. One such person is Dr. Sarfarazuddin, a homeopath who lives in sector 105, Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
He has been feeding 100 deprived people every day for the past five years and teaches students free. He brings ill and unknown covid-dead patients home bathes and buries them, all by himself, and even marries off daughters of destitute families.
Dr. Sarfaraz, as he is popularly known, does good work at various levels. He has been feeding one meal (lunch) to 100 deprived daily for the last five years. He made that arrangement in a school he had opened in 2009 for the underprivileged children in a village nearby called Gejha, with his own money.
The school has 20 rooms on two floors. The students, who have lost either of their parents or are orphans, bright and have more siblings, children of domestic helpers, daily wagers, guards, gardeners, sweepers, etc., study free of charge here.
Others pay a nominal fee. Out of a total of 400 students, most are non-Muslims while some 40 of them are from nearby madrasas. He has recently gathered these students of madrasas of Gejha who had no modern education, to his school, taught them the basics of modern education, computer trained them, and brought them to par with students of 8th standard in his MM School (UP Board) so that they can take board exams and choose competitive subjects later; engineering, medicine to administrative.
Dr.Sarfaraz with his patients
Additionally, he has also started coaching students who want to play volleyball. It keeps them fit and if some of them play well, he says, they would be sent to state and national level competitions.
These children are both from the madrasas and nearby government schools which have no space or free coaches. 100 such students take coaching in different sessions, most of them, non-Muslim. Dr Sarfaraz distributes food to the underprivileged A beneficiary and volleyball coach,20-year-old Vishal swears by the good work Sarfaraz does.
He says, “My father is a daily wager and mother, a domestic help. I needed money to keep my studies and training going. So I offered to coach the students at his school and he readily agreed. Now I coach 100 students who don’t pay any fee, but I get a good payment from Sarfaraz Sir. I have played at the state and national levels. I would be sponsored by him separately if I could play more.”
He also says that Sarfaraz never charges him for medicines he takes for his mother, siblings, and extended family quite often. Sarfaraz also treats the disadvantaged of the area free of cost at his clinic in Gejha on alternate Saturdays and Sundays. He also gives them free medicines. Additionally, he has been regularly holding medical camps for underprivileged patients. During the Covid and lockdown period, he used to get some 200 to 250. The camp had to be stopped “for lack of funds for a few months”. It is difficult to make this man of few words speak about himself. But with an assurance that it might inspire more people, he got ready to share why and how he wishes to give his “entire life for khidmat-e-khalq” (serving people).
“I was always interested in social service as I used to observe my father, principal of a government school in UP, doing social work passionately. So it is integrated into my system. I started serving alongside my father by shifting my clinic from Bhangel to Gejha.”
On how he manages funds, he says, “I do it despite being in deficit. We get things on credit and clear the older dues and take new ones on credit again. Apart from spending from my pocket, I have a small circle of friends who support me on a regular or irregular basis. Some help comes from unknown sources at times.” Of late, apart from his homoeopathy clinic, he has also been running a small medical centre which takes care of some of the expenses for the good work.
Sarfaraz shares why he multiplied his charity work after he saw migrant labourers walking home barefoot, hungry and sick from Noida Expressway during the lockdown. “It was painful to see them. I bought whatever I saw on the road – the entire the of bananas, other fruits, biscuits, called some maulanas from nearby madrasas, and other people and we all stood on the road to feed these labourers day and night for several days. This made me think that I was still not doing enough for the underprivileged.”
Rajesh Yadav, a beneficiary, vouches for the help he has had from Sarfaraz. He says, “I live in sector 45 which is far from here. During the entire covenant lockdown period, my whole family could survive because he used to distribute food twice daily. I have seen him running behind buses and trucks full of labourers etc., to distribute food. He also offered me to make food for his beneficiaries because I am a halwai (sweet maker) by profession. During covid period and lockdown for two years, all the shutters were down, and only my work was sustained all thanks to him. He also never stopped my payment and helped me financially whenever I asked. He never treats me differently because I am a non-Muslim. Now I understand how political leaders divide us,” he gets emotionally charged.
After having felt that he was doing too little during covid, he alternatively kept on helping deprived families marry off their daughters. He even brought home several patients who died in covid when their families had either refused to take their bodies, were far off or they had no one left in the family. He gave them ghusl (bathed) and buried them in a nearby graveyard with his own hands without ever asking for their names, or contact details or expecting anything in return.
Mohammad Shahid, a transporter by profession, vouches for the work he does. He shares, “I shifted to Noida in 2008. Since then I am witnessing Sarfarazbhai working relentlessly for the poor. In my view, the two biggest things he has done are, bringing the dead from several societies nearby to his home (in case they have no one to perform the last rituals), getting them ghusl, and having them buried with respect. He did it during covid and is still doing it. Also, this deserted area had no graveyard for the Muslims. This was a great problem as other graveyards wouldn’t let us bury our dead due to overcrowding.
Coach Vishal with his students
Coach Vishal Yadav with students he coaches in Volleyball Dr sahib fought tooth and nail with a known builder who tried capturing the graveyard land for erecting a skyscraper in consonance with some greedy Muslims of the area and finally was able to retain around 2 acres of the graveyard. Dr Sarfaraz has helped the Muslims in and around Noida Expressway a great deal by building the only graveyard. I am also aware of his other charity work and can vouch for the fact that not even established NGOs with tonnes of money, don’t do the kind of work I have seen him doing.”
Sarfaraz’s family, consisting of a spouse and three children, he says, “often get anxious for it keeps him overtly busy, but they keep on supporting. Knowing this will never change, it is becoming a part of their system too,” he smiles. Agrees his wife Shaheen, however, adding that khidmat e khalq has been a part of her upbringing too.
“My father a school teacher who also has a family business of transport would always make sure that at least 20 deprived people ate at our home every day, at AaliGaon near Badapur Delhi, where we lived. I remember all the humble families used to have tea and breakfast at our home daily. After marriage, I found that Dr.Sarfaraz seemed to have gone a step further. Even while we were all suffering from covid, he used to leave home to help those in need in the wee hours of the morning.
She adds laughing, “the excuse he would give us was, I don’t see you guys offering fajr (morning) prayer. It depresses me so I go to the mosque nearby to offer mine.” Shaheen also adds that their children have imbibed this habit naturally.
Her young daughters, Sana and Saba, textile and product designers respectively, have started keeping 2.5 percent separate as zakat from their little earnings or pocket money. She also recalls a recent incident about her son, 14-year-old Asad, who wanted to eat delicious biryani sold every Friday near Gejha mosque.
“He asked for money but he came back empty-handed and hungry. I asked him why he didn’t eat biryani. He replied, as he started from home, two old women asked for some money. He gave them all and came back. He remained hungry to feed them. So, it runs in the family,” she says with a contented smile. Did anyone say, charity begins at home?
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Rana Siddiqui Zaman / posted by Shaista Fatima / February 17th, 2023
Mission Smile and Tirumala Medicover Hospitals representatives releasing posters for the programme, in Vizianagaram on Monday.
Mission Smile, Tirumala Medicover Hospitals join hands for the cause
Charity organisation Mission Smile and Tirumala Medicover Hospitals will jointly conduct cleft palate surgeries free of cost for 80 children from September 3 to 6 in Vizianagaram, Mission Smile programme manager Rafiur Rahman and the hospital’s centre head V.N. Padma Kumar said.
Addressing a press meet, Mr. Rahman said that parents of the children with cleft problems living in North Andhra, Telangana, and Odisha have registered for the camp during which free surgeries will be performed for children with cleft palate and cleft lip deformities.
Mr. Rahman said that malnutrition among pregnant women and marriages among close relatives were identified by medical experts as the primary reason for the birth of children with cleft problems. He said that the organisation has conducted 119 medical camps across India since 2003, helping treat nearly 40,800 patients. He thanked Colgate Palmolive for extending funds for charitable programmes
ensured operations for nearly 40,800 patients across India since 2003 by conducting 119 special medical camps conducted across India. He thanked Colgate Palmolive for extending funds for charitable programmes under its CSR activities.
He said that each operation cost around ₹1.5 lakh, adding that the cost of operations had now come down significantly with many doctors performing surgeries free of cost. Medical Superintendent of the hospital Ch. Mahesh and programme coordinator of Mission Smile Sameer said that senior doctors were coming to Vizianagaram to perform the operations. They urged parents to approach hospital authorities to enrol the names of their children suffering from cleft problems.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Andhra Pradesh / by K Srinivasa Rao / Vizianagaram / August 30th, 2022
Ariba Khan is the founder of Jumping Minds, which promotes mental well-being. Image courtesy: Ariba Khan
Technology and human emotions may seem a mismatch, but at Ariba Khan has fused them for a mental health platform.
As a young, spirited and ambitious 30-year-old, Ariba Khan can relate to mental health challenges that people her age are fighting. The lack of a safe space where such people could open up about their thoughts anonymously is what spurred her business idea – an artificial intelligence-based deep tech mental health app.
With Jumping Minds, this IIT-Rourkee and IIM-Bengaluru alumnus, along with co-founder Piyush Gupta, built a space where people could chat with individuals in a similar situation without exposing their identity.
“All of us require a safe space where you can talk about the challenges you may be facing. It doesn’t have to be clinical stress, but all of us are facing one stress or another – a bad breakup, difficult time at work, adjusting with the family. So, we thought of creating a digital space where you connect to people who may have gone through similar stressors, share your experiences, and release emotions,” Khan tells Health Shots.
Mental health matters
In the past few years, global celebrities have broken their silence on facing mental health issues. Somewhere, destigmatization has happened, but there’s a long way to go. It is because of the continued stigma around mental health that Khan chose to make Jumping Minds an anonymous space.
“Otherwise, there’s always a judgment factor,” says the Delhi dweller, adding that even though her platform is all about tech, at the heart of lies human interaction through technology.
“It helps people to release emotions, clear their head and find solutions,” asserts Khan.
Just five years ago, talking about stress and feeling burnt out at work would have been unimaginable. But the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed people into taking their mental health more seriously.
“The Gen-Z, especially, is more unapologetic about their mental health. They have an aspirational lifestyle, they want to live a well-balanced, happy life. And so, I would say the younger generation is leading the change in mindset and the positive shift towards wellness. Still, there’s a stigma around mental health and limited safe spaces where people don’t feel ashamed or guilty about sharing their story. Instead, people should feel empowered that there are so many other people going through the same,” Khan says.
“It’s okay to not be okay,” believes Ariba Khan. Image courtesy: Ariba Khan
Mental health issues of the young generation
As someone who believes in the adage that “it’s okay to not be okay”, Khan outlines the most common health problems that youngsters in the 20-30 age group are going through these days.
1. Relationship troubles:
Whether you are stressed at work or family life, it directly impacts your interpersonal relationships. People are getting increasingly stressed about how to maintain relationships.
2. Anxiety
This is why people need a digital detox from time to time! “Anxiety is the after-effect of social media. The need to be perfect, with filters on all the time,” explains Khan, stressing on how social anxiety and social comparison are turning out to be spoilers.
“People tend to think, ‘Maybe I am not enough’, ‘I am working so much, but I am not upto that level.’ And that social anxiety has become very prominent in the post-Covid era,” she explains.
3. Sexual wellness:
This is the age when early professionals and college students explore their body and preferences. So, people have a lot of questions around sexual wellness.
4. Career:
The desire to reach career milestones leads to undue pressure and stress on people. They overthink things like, ‘Are we in the right job? Are we working with the right people?’ But talking about these things, instead of keeping the thoughts to yourself, will give you a feeling of validation.
3 happiness hacks for women, suggested by Ariba Khan
Khan has three simple suggestions for women to follow for the sake of their mental peace.
1. Find peaceful breaks in a day
“I know we are women of the 21st century, always leading the way – whether it is in personal life or professional life. But it is very important to have time in a day when you are by yourself, living in the moment,” she suggests.
Khan assures that doing so even for a few minutes every day will help people become more productive and more appreciative of the positive results of the everyday hustle.
2. It’s okay, to err is human
Even research says women tend to have higher stress levels than men ! “The society has made women accustomed to keeping everyone around them happy – be it colleagues, friends, family.
But it is okay to sometimes make mistakes, feel bad or low. We may think we are superwomen, but we are humans after all! We should’t expect ourselves to be perfect all the time, because there’s true beauty in being imperfect,” she adds.
3. Talk it out
Don’t keep your thoughts to yourself. If you are stressed, talk about it. “Don’t feel ashamed about it, and who knows, it may give courage to others to talk about their journey. Once you start releasing the monster from your head, it becomes smaller. And if you do it in a community, you will see magic!”
source: http://www.healthshots.com / Health Shots / Home> She Says> by Radhika Bhirani / August 02nd, 2022
