ANJUMAN E FALAHE MILLATH - MELVISHARAM

 

ANJUMAN E FALAHE MILLATH-MELVISHARAM

“The best of humans are those who are most beneficial to others.”

Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

NGOs are essential for nation-building, partnering with governments in areas like education, healthcare, social welfare, environment, and human rights. They bridge gaps where government resources are lacking. With their grassroots approach and flexibility, NGOs contribute expertise and data to policy-making, crucial for addressing societal issues and fostering inclusive growth.

Our town Melvisharam has been blessed with many such NGOs. If we browse through the annals of history of Melvisharam, we may come across many such organisations which had made an everlasting impact in the society. One among them was Anjuman-e-Falah-Millath familiar among the elders as Millath Anjuman.

Establishment

 Anjuman-e- Falah-Millath was established post 1947, by a group of visionaries like Janab Chinmeera Fakheer Mohammed Sahib, Janab S.M. Abdul Jameel Sahib, Sepillai Abdul Wahab Sahib, Vaverthar Abdul Haseeb Sahib, Pakthini Meera Hussain Sahib,  Malak Khizar Hussain Sahib, , Janab Arcot Mohammed Ismail Sahib, Pakthini Abdur Ravoof Sahib, Vaverthar Khaleelur Rahman Sahib, Yarthekar Abdul Khuddus Sahib, Mara Mohammed Ishaque Sahib, Mana Muna Akber Hussain Sahib, Mana Muna Mohammed Hussain Sahib, Chinmeera Abdul Latheef Sahib and Pakthini Abdul Shukoor Sahib, Aadam Ahmed Basha Sahib,  etc., The Anjuman was situated nearby Pakthini Masjid and opposite to Malak Abdul Haleem Sahib Street (old post office street).

Services:

 While sitting in these Anjumans, the members used to discuss on social issues and sort out remedial measures to solve the problems prevailing in the society.  Alhamdulillah, It was the outcome of their sincere intention and instant action that we are reaping its fruits now.

            They established the Millath Co-operative Society with several shops to issue the ration items through Public Distribution System scheme of Tamilnadu Government. All the PDS shops in Visharam are functioning under the Umbrella of Millath society. This group also established Millath Dairy Farm.  Cows and Buffaloes were brought for this purpose from North India. But the dairy ran for a short-term as the climate did not suit cattle. Millath Bakery was another initiative. It was the only bakery of the town in olden days. The other important contribution of the Anjuman was the founding of Millath Hospital. 

Millath Hospital (1952- late 1990s)

Millath hospital was started in 1952 at New Market Third Street. A brief detail of this hospital would be worth mentioning.  The hospital had all the basic facilities and efficient doctors were appointed by the management. Dedicated service and good maintenance earned the trust of public within a decade.

New Building

To facilitate the increasing patients, a new building was constructed  in a land donated by  S.M. Abdul Jameel Saheb at Jameelabad First Street.The new hospital  was equipped with extra ordinary facilities by maintaining isolated ward for T. B. Patients. Town’s public was invited for the grand opening ceremony of the new block. During early1960s, the new building was declared open by the then Chief Minister Thiru K. Kamaraj. This event took place in a big ground adjacent to the hospital. On this occasion he addressed a huge gathering outside the hospital campus.

            For the next three decades, the Millath hospital was active in serving the patients. As Jameelabad was interior part of the town, people found it difficult to reach the spot. And the mode of transport was only bullock carts and rickshaws. So, number of patients reduced considerably and functioning of the hospital became dull for few years.

Revival

With a view to renew the services, the hospital was renovated and renamed as Melvisharam Millath Hospital (MM Hospital) by the second generation members (Mostly, heirs of founders of Millath Anjuman). Hence to facilitate the patients, branches were opened in other parts (Big Street and Tengakar Street) of the Melvisharam town.

The management appointed Dr. Ayaz Ahmed Sahib, a young doctor from Visharam. And also offered 24 hours treatment facility. To enhance the emergency services of the hospital, started an ambulance service in 1990s. Similarly, an operation theatre was also constructed which was so helpful in doing minor surgeries and also in hosting free eye camps. Despite taking all these efforts, the patients reduced as the Kathiyawadi Road was not as good as it is today. The hospital was closed in late 1990s.

Names of Few Doctors Who Served Here

Dr. Ather, Dr. Thahira, Dr. Gilbert, Dr. Devaki, Dr. Shujath Ali, Dr. Subashni, Dr. Fathima and Dr. Ayaz Ahmed (son of Prof. Ahmed Basha Sahib, founder Principal, CAH college of Arts and Science, Melvisharam) were some of the famous doctors who served here. Some of the doctors like Dr. Shujath Ali Sahib and Dr. Subashni started their own clinics at Melvisharam.  Dr. Ayaz Ahmed Sahib migrated to Chennai after the closure of hospital. 

The legacy continues

            Islam lays emphasis on being beneficial to people. Prophet Muhammad SAW said, “The best amongst you are those who are most beneficial to others.”

            The Anjuman members did commendable services by considering the various needs of the public. They served the society for nearly five decades. Especially, the Millath hospital was a great achievement. Running a hospital on a minimal and subsidized charges was not an easy task that too for fifty years. After the closure of hospital.

 The Baton Passes to the Next Generation

There was a pressing need for a good health care service in Melvisharam. To fulfil this requirement Janab Malak Mohammed Hashim Sahib established KH Apollo Multi Speciality Hospital in September 2003 which has been functioning for more than two decades. During its first decade, the hospital offered subsidized maternity service packages.

               Following the footsteps of elders an NGO named Crescent Welfare Association, Melvisharam (Previously known as Youngster Welfare Association) is funding free treatment for major and minor surgeries for the past four years. Similarly, Islamiah Welfare Association, Iqwan Welfare Association, National Welfare Association and few other organisations are active in providing free medical aid and organising medical camps  at a small scale.

            As far as the details recorded in the history of Melvisharam, The history of funding hospitals starts with the establishment of Government Hospital of Melvisharam by C.  Abdul Hakeem Sahib in 1926. (Which is discussed in an article titled ‘REMINISCENCES OF THE PAST’) Followed by it, was the Millath Hospital.

            Darush Shifa Hospital was started in during 2004-05 by Majlis e Dawatul Khair at Sakvai Haji Abdullah Sahib Street, Melvisharam in a rented building. It was declared open by Hazrath Moulana Mohammed Yacoob Sahib with a dua. Apart from free maternity services to the poor and needy, general medical treatment was also offered to the public at nominal charges. Hundreds of poor families took benefit from this clinic.

 Dr. Deepa, Dr. Ethayalekha and Dr. Shankari Prabhu were some of the doctors who served here. When the government of Tamilnadu introduced welfare measures and special maternity schemes, the number of beneficiaries decreased considerably, so the clinic was closed in 2013. Let me name some of the members of Majlis: Janab Vaverthar Anwarullah Sahib, Janab Moulana Malack Mohammed Ibrahim Sahib, Janab Sepillai Mohammed Shafee Sahib, S. M. Abdul Majeed Sahib and A. Mohammed Sharfuddin Sahib. The majlis had close contacts with Hazrath Moulana Yacoob Sahib (Rah) Visharami, under his guidance all the activities were carried out.

Conclusion

             While having a discussion with Hazrath Moulana Hafiz Malak Gulzar Ahmed Sahib Baqvi, he said, “The members of Millath Society were visionaries who envisaged the future socio-economic, religious and educational needs of the town.  Sorted plans and executed in the right way out of their own expenses. Some of its members were also connected with other major organisations in and out of Melvisharam. They contributed to the society in all aspects. By the grace of Almighty Allah, we are enjoying its fruits. To me, they are the ‘Architects of Modern Visharam’.” (Jadeed Visharam Ke Me’mar)

            Alhamdulillah, the tradition of service, is still continuing in our society. And I think it has significantly increased both quality and quantity wise. At the same time it is felt by elders that service attitude is diminishing. It is my sincere prayers that May Allah with His infinite mercy accept the services of elders, reward them highest abode in Heaven. May this service attitude of elders, pass on to the present and future generation of our society AAMEEN.               

Some of my close friends, insisted me to pen down the history of Millath Anjuman. Initially, I wanted to be brief, but as I started, the information poured in. Alhamdulillah, thanks to the elders, who shared details for writing this article and also guided me. This article just points out the major healthcare services of NGOs and hospitals. Detailed information would further lengthen write-up. I request the readers to inform the compiler, if any of the details of Anjuman is missing in this write-up. So that it can be documented in future. May Allah accept my feeble endeavour to preserve the services of our elders.                                                                                    

S. Mohammed Sadathullah,                                                                                                            Melvisharam