Abu Dhabi, Apr 15: Bearys Welfare Forum - an NRI social service organisation based in Abu Dhabi - which has gained social recognition by conducting mass marriages for poor couples in undivided Dakshina Kannada district, is now celebrating its decennial year of existence.
In the year 2002, around 25 NRI families residing in Abu Dhabi came together to organise a family gathering and engaged in some social activities. Two years later, the group of families was converted into an organisation by involving all non-resident members from the Beary community settled in Abu Dhabi, which was named Bearys Welfare Forum. Along with forming an organisation, the Forum extended its social activities to undivided Dakshina Kannada district. Through discussions with religious leaders from the community in the district, they began to formulate ideas to commence organising mass-marriages for poor couples.
At a time when the concept of mass-marriages was unexplored, Bearys Welfare Forum (BWF) began conducting mass-marriages for poor couples as part of their social service to the community and brought a revolutionary change in the district. Slowly, the organisation became a social leader by helping poor couples and initiating a revolution in the community.
In 2005, the organisation undertook an initiative in conducting a mass-marriage ceremony in Dakshina Kannada and helped a total of 85 couples from poor background tie the knot through five such ceremonies. In the mass-marriage, BWF spent a total of Rs 2 lakh for each couple. The mass-marriages that were organised were neither too simple nor too lavish in grandeur.
The mass-marriages held 10 years ago initiated a revolutionary social change for which the mass-marriages that began to be held later by various other organisations are proof. Inspired by BWF, several organisations held mass-marriages in Dakshina Kannada where a total of around 600 couples have tied the knot till date.
During their visit to rural parts of the district to identify poor Muslim families, BWF office-bearers were dismayed by the living conditions of few unprivileged families who did not have the basic facility of toilets in their dwellings. In this regard, the organisation began constructing toilets to poor families as part of their social service.
Around 100 toilets were built in the first stage and another 18 were set up in the second stage for poor families in the twin districts. The cost incurred by the organisation in constructing each toilet was around Rs 16,000 to Rs 20,000.
Other than social service, the organisation also conducts social and family gatherings, iftaar meetings during Ramzan, family picnics and other meetings annually. The Forum also works towards strengthening ties among its community members.
Now in its decennial year, the forum will organise a special programme under the leadership of its president Mohammed Ali Uchil, as part of its decennial year celebrations on April 17 where it plans to felicitate several achievers from their hometown in various fields.
Also Read: Hajabba, UTK, B R Shetty, Thumbay Moideen among 12 chosen for BWF decennial awards
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