MY REFLECTIONS AND READING ON THE CURRENT INITIATIVE OF SHARING THE SAME FOOD IN OUR COMMUNITY AND A HUMBLE SALUTE TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE DEDICATING THEMSELVES TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE.
MORE SO IN BIG CITIES WERE THE LOGISTICS OF DISTRIBUTION IS A CHALLENGING TASK
Article : THE ROLE OF FOOD IN EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITIES - Phil Bartie Ph D
One aspect of community empowerment often overlooked in community development text books and teachings, is group eating ( our community encourages and fosters such group eating. we have it through out the year on different miqaats. The current initiative is unique, sharing the same food, irrespective of diverse social and economic standings !!)
As a social scientist can tell you, there is far more to food than its physical benefits of nutrition and health.
With whom we eat, when we eat, what we eat, where we eat and under what conditions we eat...... are all sociologically very significant.
(Under the present circumstances, we mumineen are well aware the niyat behind this community sharing of same food by all different strata of our community - the niyat is shifa e Kulli and umre darazi of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) The miraculous speedy recovery of Aqa Moula (TUS) is a glowing 'Aya't' ( incontrovertible sign) of the benefits and power of this and other initiatives being undertaken in accordance with the irshadaats of A'li Qdr Molayee Muffadal Saifuddin saheb.)
The author of the article makes a very powerful point by stating that : ' If logic and nutrition were the only concerns, we would all eat worms !'
The word 'comensal' is derived from the Latin ( root Arabic word meaning to share) In sociology eating together the same food together develops solidarity and trust. The concept of comensality in sociology simply means that 'people eat together'
This post I am specially dedicating to my younger brother Mulla MohammadB Mulla FakhrudinB Lokhandwala of Pune, who is doing the khidmat in overseeing the distribution of tiffins in his Tanzeem mohalla.
The logistics of distribution in big metropolis is really a challenging task, and knowing the inherent strength and dedication of our community, these challenges will surely be overcome.
There are unconfirmed reports of setting up a modern centralized kitchen complete with distribution network in Mumbai. In my own city the logistics of delivery are being worked out.
In cities like Patna having 40 households and Cuttuck having around 20 households, things are relatively easy. In towns like Godhra and in my own Lunavada, where mumineen live in Mohallas, it is relatively easy.
It would be interesting to see how distribution system is worked out in big cities. Mumineen who are involved in this khidmat can share their views. It would be a motivating at the same time a learning experience for others.
In Pune there are talks undergoing with a mumineen caterer who will be cooking and overseeing distribution of 72 tiffins. Interesting !
5 comments:
A challenging task indeed. And time will see mumeneen around the world from multiple socio-economic backgrounds consuming the same food day in- day out, by the grqce of Aqa Moula and Aali Qdr Muffaddal bhaisaheb.My salutes to M.Mohammedibhai and people everywhere doing the same Khidmat. Aliasgar Badri (Bharuchwala)
Correction: I'm just a part of a team that will oversee distribution in our Mohalla.In a big city, it is convinient to have several centres looking after areas in the vicinity. This is a 365 day task, unlike a months efforts in Ramazaan, and so it will be extremely difficult to find mumineen who will involve themselves everyday all year round. Hence professional caterers will also play a role and the Mohalla Tanzeems will have to oversee the entire process which is a more feasable proposition rather than spending time getting the bazaar, filling the tiffins and sending them off every day, 365 days a year.It has to work like an industry where professionals are hired and the Board of Directors oversee the entire system.
Besides this thaali distribution it is heartening to various strata of the community right down from Aamil Sahebs, Jamaat Office Bearers, various organisations and mumins in their indivisual capacities involve themselves in muvasaat work. Visiting homes of the less privileged will be an eye opener for many, I'm sure.Its good to see professionals getting involved who can advice, guide and mentor such households for, at times it is not only material things that can allleviate suffering.May Allah grant our beloved Moula(TUS) and Aliqadar Syedi Muffaddal Bhaisaheb Saifuddin(TUS) a long life in sehat aafiyat. Mdhi Lokhandwala
Burhani Volunteers of Kolkata have been given the Sharaf of doing the Khidmat in our city. Till things are streamlined we will have to start from scratch - arrange for finance /Vetran / Bazaar / supervise cooking / distribute tiffens and then collect empty ones the next day etc. With Bewe Maula's Dua; we will succeed and achieve target of bringing the entire Mumin Population to partake barakat from "Faiz Ul Mawaid Burhaniyah"
This is Bohra version of Fast Food which is distributed by Bohra Dabbawalas on lines of world famous Bombay Dabbawalas. If it is consistently achieved it can find place in Guineas Book of World records for Community eating - the comensality and can become a Case Study in the management institutions. it's our way to say "Don't worry. Be happy. Why do you fear. Dinner is here.Our Maula is there. To take care of mumin he throws off his gear to ensure that a mumin survives well under his care.
Yes Bhai Haider the task in hand is not easy, it looks daunting but Aqa Moula's doa mubarak and the faith of A'li Qadr Molayee Muffadal Saifuddin saheb in the khidmatguzars of the community will surely help in overcoming the challenges, but we have to keep the faith, and that is important.
Burhani Volunteers have the capacity to deliver, but a very pragmatic and systematic approach based on ground realities have to be worked out.
Cooking and distribution has to be decentralized, and for each day different groups have to be allocated responsibilities, as it is a long haul khidmat.
I was just thinking if it would be viable to make small groups of ladies volunteering to do cooking khidmat, like minded like 'menij' friends at different centers, like Taskeen or Howrah, their husbands arranging for bazaar for one particular allotted. Thus 6 groups for each six day of the week.
It would be fun and at the same time a learning experience,for the particular group, and the cherry on the cake will be there will be healthy competition among the six group, as a result the end user - the mumineen who receive the 'thali' will benefit, and I think the cost will also come down.
Burhani Volunteers will oversee the entire distribution in our city.
Just give it a thought, delinting two major aspects : 1 Cooking
2 Distribution which is a more difficult task if it has to be carried out day in and day out.
I think BV should concentrate on the TD aspect
LET US KEEP SHARING IDEAS AND THE PROBLEMS BEING FACED
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