Surat families save on shopping, spend on poor

SURAT: Sharing happiness has been the motto of this group of 30 people, majority of whom are Muslims, in Limbayat area of the city. On the occasion of Eid, the members of the group didn’t buy new clothes or any product for their homes. The Rs1.50 lakh that they raised from among them was used to prepare sweets for poor people passing through difficult times ever since lockdown was announced by the government to contain spread of coronavirus on March 25.
The Rehmania group of Udhna Yard has 25 Muslim members while others are Hindu. All of them observed roza throughout the holy month of Ramadan and have been feeding over 1,000 people since March 23. Their service will continue until lockdown is lifted.
“We normally cook rice dishes for distribution. Since it was Eid, we prepared ‘kheer’ and distributed it along with bread, bananas and eggs to poor people. We distributed food packets as well as per our routine for the past two months,” said Imtiyaz Shaikh, an electrician.
"Each member contributed as per his financial capacity. None of us purchased new clothes this time for the festival. How can we buy new clothes when so many people are facing economic difficulties?" asked Zakir Pathan, a transport contractor.
"We were together in time of crisis and are one in celebrations as well. The unity helps us to overcome all problems," said Gautam Meshram, an employee of a textile shop.
The group receives foodgrains in donation while it purchases daily vegetables and spices from cash given by the donors. The members of the group who belong to middle class have been receiving donation in cash and kind thanks to their dedication in serving the poor.