The annual Upliftment Drive aims to help thousands of families in over 650 towns and cities across India and internationally
The health and vibrancy of a society are determined by the universal availability and accessibility to basic needs – food, healthcare, education, potable water, sanitation and affordable housing. In keeping with these socio-economic essentials, the Dawoodi Bohra community has come together to begin its third annual five-day Upliftment Drive.
The five-day drive, starting on the December 21 aims to improve the well-being of members of the community as well as society at large. Preparations began in earnest from the Prophet Mohammed’s SAW birthday, which was celebrated last month; his teachings regarding helping the less fortunate and showing kindness to others lie at the heart of this drive. “The various initiatives include a worldwide food distribution drive for the under-privileged, the organization of free medical camps to check for elevated blood pressure and diabetes, vaccinations and eye and dental check-ups. It is perhaps fortuitous that the days of this Upliftment drive come at the same time as when many people throughout the world are celebrating their own season of giving and spreading goodwill,” an official said.
More than 21,000 community officials and members comprising of clergy and community officials, doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, businessmen, homemakers, and students will set out for over 450 towns and cities across India and 200 cities outside the country. Many individuals have flown into the country specifically for this purpose. Students and faculty of the community’s primary educational institute, Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, form the largest contingent of this volunteer group. Together, they will look into the basic needs of the communities, particularly those aspects emphasized by His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq and head of the Dawoodi Bohra community, in his sermons and travels.
In a recent sermon in Mumbai on the occasion of the death anniversary of his father, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS encouraged community members to take out time to volunteer in the upliftment drive, specifically asking the community’s businessmen and professionals to build and provide homes for those who do not have the means to do so themselves. In addition, he spoke of the need for greater awareness regarding sanitation and highlighted the need for personal counselling for younger generations.
“The Upliftment drive is a direct result of His Holiness’s travels to various cities and villages where he has seen firsthand the unsuitable living conditions of some members of society,” shared the community spokesperson.
“For instance, the Upliftment drive will not only cover major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Udaipur, Chennai and Indore but also smaller towns and villages such as Ratlam, Rampura, Dungra, Mehegnagar and Sidhpur among others”, he added.
A mobile app has been especially developed to send instructions to volunteers and to enable a robust network and feedback system to ensure help is sent where it is required most. This will also help in the required follow-up after the completion of the five-day drive.