Hassan Cheruppa

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – Muslim representation in the newly elected Indian parliament has hit an all-time low at 22. Though the largest minority constitutes 10.5 percent of the population, their representation fell to 4.2 percent, which is the worst in the history of Indian Parliament.



Earlier, Sachar Committee, a government-appointed panel, found that the conditions of 180-million strong Indian Muslim community are below the conditions of the low-caste Dalits.



In the backdrop of this, the onus of improving the lot of Muslims relies largely on them, says a prominent Indian lawyer and social worker.



S. Mammu, a barrister of Kerala High Court and notary, has unveiled a feasible and viable community empowerment program in front of the Indian Muslims to improve their socio-economic conditions and eventually achieve the ultimate goal of total self-reliance.



Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Mammu, who was recently in the Kingdom, explained about the success story of the Naduvil town in the Indian state of Kerala in implementing the empowerment program.



“The people of Naduwil Mahallu Jamaat initiated and put into practice a systematic, scientific and cohesive approach and action plan to achieve their empowerment in all walks of life. With total backing from the local socio-political and religious leadership, members of 545 families in Naduvil brought about a revolutionary development in their socio-economic life,” Mammu, who championed the empowerment drive, said.



Multi-dimensional awareness programs, ensuring healthy life and a clean and hygienic environment, life-care and charity works, interest-free Islamic micro-finance, and common betterment funds are some of the major highlights of the program, which was kicked off in 2011.



The latest initiative is a goat-rearing project based on Islamic micro-finance, introduced by the Jeddah-based Indian Forum for Interest-free Banking (IFIB). “The program intends to address the root cause of the unemployment and poverty and to identify the means of livelihood of the poor villagers through the participatory financing method,” Mammu said.  



“Initially, we classified the local people into various categories and there are 16 sectors, each of which is comprised of 30-40 families. Members under these sectors gather together at regular intervals to review effective implementation of empowerment programs and ensure participation of each member of the community in making it a resounding success,” he said, adding that there is a three-tier system comprising sector and central level committees to streamline implementation of the project.



Mammu said nearly 40 motivation classes have been conducted for the local residents as part of the program.



“In order to achieve the goal of self-reliance, we have set up a thrift fund. Each family contributes a minimum monthly payment of 25 rupees to the fund and we have so far managed to raise 5.2 million rupees. Out of this fund, we are paying up to Rs 25,000 in interest-free loans for a maximum period of one year.” There is also a common betterment fund, raised through the monthly donation of Rs 250 from those who are willing to contribute to it.



As part of cementing relations among members of the community, family meets and annual get-together events are being organized.



Referring to the awareness campaign, Mammu said 18 psychological motivation classes, as well as social empowerment programs for students, parents and women have been organized. Mahallu cleaning campaigns were conducted in 2011 and 2012.



Leadership training course for selected candidates, methodical dental hygiene awareness program for children, and survey on oral health status among children are some of the programs held.



With an ambitious plan to save 5,000 units of electricity in a month under the theme of “Save Today, Survive Tomorrow,” seminars were organized on the topic of “Effective Power Saving,” according to him.