ADDICTION

ADDICTION in any form is harmful to the individual and the society at large. Addiction to power, addiction to self,  addiction to be 'always right' etc: but in this post I will be talking about addiction to Nicotine (cigar rates, chewing tobacco, zarda, kaat, kheni  etc:) the harmful effects of which are well documented and also well known to the addicts, but sadly very hard to overcome.

A'li Qdr Muffadal Moula Saifuddin (TUS) has given a clarion call, has started a 'mauhim' in earnest to free the community of the growing menace of nicotine use, and within a short span of time, positive results are being witnessed. Not in the distant past, the community has freed it self from the clutches of 'interest' and now is the time to rise up and help each other, in what ever way possible, to free the festering underbelly of the community with the immense harm of nicotine use.

This than is my humble effort in that direction. There are many families who may be having their loved ones, addicted to this menace. There may be friends, tanzeem members, co-workers, who I am sure very well know the immense harm they are bringing on themselves and their loved ones, by their addiction.

What I feel is that they - our fellow mumineen , need our empathy and understanding  and mere sermonizing and admonitions will not do. You are said to be  doing a disservice to your loved ones, friends and colleagues, if you merely sermonize, admonish and feel smug, that you have done or duty. Sorry no, you have to reach out, and in order to to do that, one  should first understand, why it is so hard to kick the habit ? What is nicotine ?  What are the causes for addictions ? What are the consequences ? What are the remedies and solutions ?

First and foremost the family / friend addict needs your empathy and understanding, and you must also feel that for his condition, you are also responsible in a sense. So this post of mine, is in that direction of understanding the addiction, and how best to overcome it.

Nicotine is addictive. It contains powerful chemicals such as carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. It is the prime cause of cancer, heart disease, blood sugar, Chronic Bronchitis, Respiratory failure, depression etc:

What it does ?

It causes changes in the brain , which induces a euphoric state of the mind. Here it is prudent to recall the Nashihat of Syedi Sadiq Ali Saheb : ' zahir ma halavat chhe, pan zehr chhe khufiya ma'. With recent scientific studies and many Research Papers published on the Net, it is no more 'khufiya' the addict also knows, that it is bringing harm to him and his family.

Nicotine is a psychoactive drug that produces dependence  Nicotine releases Dopamine, which stimulates sensation of pleasure, motivation and reward.  Nicotine levels drop relatively quickly, which causes the sense of craving.

When an addict tries to overcome the addiction, very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms are experienced, the addict feels depressed, irritated and unable to concentrate. So these are real issues, and they need our understanding and empathy.

So if one wants to reach out and do a singular service, one has to accept the fact that nicotine addiction is a hard nut to crack. But studies have shown, that it can be overcome, and there are thousands of success stories.

What is needed to overcome the addiction ?

We mumineen are blessed to have our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) his doa mubaraka and his nazarat rahima and the world wide community awareness campaign initiated by his Mansoos A'li Qdr Muffadal Saifuddin Moula (TUS) is for ever there. What is needed is a firm resolve on the part of those addicted and the firm belief that 'we will overcome'

These are some of the other points.
1. Determination and inner strength.
2. Encouragement and understanding from the loved ones and community at large.
3. Healthy diet.
4. Adequate exercise. Tanzeem can start clubs, where physical activities are encouraged.
5. Homeopathic - Naturepathy - Herbal treatments.

According to Associate Proffesor of Medicine  Franck T Leone - " My patient are people who smoke, but they know they should stop. They describe feeling sad, angry and hopeless. They tell me it is frustrating and confusing, embarrassing and shameful. They are trapped between desperately - wanting to stop and desperately not wanting to stop. Their lives are literally on the line - they know it.

Nicotine works in that place of the brain, where survival instincts are born. The more a person wants to change - the more the instinct tells him - change is bad for you'

So my friends, if you  really want to 'reach out'  you have to first respect the problem, and also respect the people struggling to find a way out from it. Start working on solution based thinking 

Determination and inner strength can be achieved by meditation, mindfulness and deep breathing exercises. There are hundreds of resources on the Net. In my own family one of my sister, who is very much into alternate therapy, overcame the urge of chocolates, by being 'mindfulness' and being 'aware' at each stage, from opening of the chocolate wrapper, the twirling of chocolate in her mouth, the taste etc: It did surely work for her.

For effectively overcoming  the addiction, here are several other tested measures. 

Drink water at regular intervals. take cough drops or chewing gum in the initial stages only.

Understand that the craving last for not more than 5 minutes. So when the craving arises, find a distraction, move away from what ever you are doing, take a walk or call a friend or listen to soothing music. Laugh out loud -' mein tara sinkaja nahi avoo, mane uloo ghana waqt thi banavto rahyo, mari zeet chhe - tari haar chhe ......... go on and on - what ever works best for you.

Homeopathic remedies help to lessen anxiety, restlessness, and irritability. One has to consult a practicinor  for proper evaluation, as the treatment is fully symptom based. Some of the recommended medicine to kick the habit, are Nux Vomica - Avna Sativa which is made from wild oats, Carbo Animalis, Plantago etc: The doctor should explain to the addict, what each type of medicine will do. Understanding and awareness is the key to complete recovery.

Some of the herbal remedies are - Oats - Lobelia - Marsh mellows.

So it is not the end of the world for one who seriously wants to overcome addiction. Knowledge is Power. Addiction can be defeated, one deserves more from life than just being subdued by addition, and if our well organized community lends a helping hand, the goal of complete eradication of addiction from the community, similar to being completely free from the clutches of 'interest bearing transactions' will be surely achieved in the shortest possible time.

The difference for complete transformation from ILNESS to WELNESS is to substitute the suffering 'I' with the 'WE'  of compassion, friendship and altruism. Let us all join hands in this noble 'mauhim'  by advising , encouraging, motivating our brother addict, but most of all by empathizing. If compassion is there, miracles will surely happen.

 

PLANTS

Inspired by the 102 Milad Mubaraka initiative of planting trees and taking loving tender care of potted plants in our home and work places, our extended family spread across the continents, decided to have a family competition and every one participated by posting their potted plant pics on Whattsapp.

My niece Sarah Boriyawala's family from Dubai won hands down, leaving all of us far behind, so I have decided to dedicate this post to her efforts. These are a few of the pictures from her balcony and drawing room.

Jalapenos

Sarah's family balcony is resplendent with organic Jalapenos,  Tomatoes, Spring onion, Ajwain, Pudina and Coriander. The plants need half hour of daily watering, and care has to be taken to weed out fungus and do the pruning once in a week. With a lot of information readily available on the Net, just the will to do, is needed.

Sarah's family won hands down, because the Builder has provided the flat owners with a stretch of soil, as an extension to the balcony, with an inlaid sprinkler system. So any one having such a facility, can easily maintain and carry out organic farming in their homes.

The indoor plants, need only to be watered once a week, but they bring nature right into our homes, and are so pleasing to the eyes. According to Bhen Sarah B plants add a sense of  beauty and serene calm and coolness. It is a good idea to have small pots of single colored flowers on the window sill, and side tables, they really brighten up the home and infuse a sense of  happiness.

If a family has young children prancing around the home, it makes practical and better sense to have colorful indoor plants, than expensive Swaroski crystals and artifacts, which have to be continuously guarded, and the young ones hushed away all the time.

In such families, I would suggest to start with bringing home 3 different varieties  of indoor plants, and make your little darling aware that one is Abba plant - the other one is Ammi plant and that one is my little darling's plant. Just see the magic work. From day one your child will start connecting with his plant. Both will grow in a very loving environment !!

Today's Indian Express carried an article titled ' Blossoms For All' about the Market Yard flower market at Pune. What I liked was the observation, that the difference with other whole sale markets,  contained in the sprawling Market Yard, is that the flower market with 'almost every hue of the rainbow on display, is a delight to all five senses'

Likewise, if one makes a little effort and brings home a few plants and tends it with loving care, the entire family will have a very enriching experience, each day. Petunias are popular and reliable flowering and ornamental plants. The blossoms of Petunia come in many colors. Moon flower grows and flowers quickly in warm tropical zones. Their fragrance and beautiful blooming makes them an excellent choice for hanging baskets.

 Plants are also are teacher, if one is observant, there is a lot to learn. In my earlier blog on Fate, I had posted a home video of a small plotted plant, which taught me a life lesson.

With rising health hazards on account of greater use of pesticides in commercial farming, health conscious people are turning towards organic farming. If one is blessed to have a small patch of green, a small organic farm in your own back yard is not a big deal.

Net provides a lot of information, and for fence sitters, sharing just two links out of hundreds available, to get started.


http://www.greenleapdelhi.org.in/role-of-plants-in-increasing-positivity-in-our-lives/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFsSlS7IHBg

(Tips on Organic Gardening - Basic simple - it just needs your will and intention to start your small organic garden )

FATE - TAQDEER

Came across on Whats app  a very thought provoking talk by a Muslim lady on Taqdeer, and could not resist the desire to share this insight and knowledge, with readers of my blog. 

As it was an Mp3 file, requested my son to make a video and the pictures of pruned trees are the result of my reflection, on this wonderful talk. May Allah bless the lady, as I do not have her name. 

Now for those who are familiar with Urdu /Hindi, I think hearing the talk will suffice. For those, who are not that familiar, specially for my English speaking friends , I will expound and at the same time, share my reflections with you. 

The subject of Fate - Taqdeer has always been and exiting as well as a complex subject, Many divergent views are held by different sections and strata of society. Those who are successful in life, generally feel and advocate that 'Fate is in our hands, we are the makers of our destiny, and they go on and on ... many make a lot of money by writing motivating books and conducting talks, but at times, a tragedy strikes, life takes a different and unexpected turn, and it becomes difficult to cope.

On the other hand there are others, who are laggards in life, they do not put any effort, and blame it on their fate for the miseries and shortcomings of their lives.

The talk strikes a nice balance between Fate on one hand, and the 'free will' on the other.

The example of a tree is beautifully illustrated to make one understand the nuance of Fate and Free will.

Allama Iqbal says:
' sanobar ( a tree that grows to great height) bagme ajaad bhi hei
paa bagil bhi hei ( its roots are stuck deep in the soil)
inhi pabandi yo mei hasil ajadi ko tu karle'

So poignant and so very true. We should like the tree, although constrained should use our given free will to the optimum and make our life worth living. ALLAH will never question us on our limitations, for HE IS ALL KNOWING. However, we are answerable to HIM for the things we fail to do achieve, with the freedom He has so graciously granted us all.

 Moulana Ali (SA) was asked by a seeker of knowledge about Taqdeer. Moulana Ali (SA) told the man to lift his leg, which he was able to do without any difficulty. Now he was told to lift the other leg, which in spite of his best effort, he was unable to do. Moulana Ali (SA) said that lifting of your first leg is 'free will'  but your inability to lift the other leg, is Taqdeer.

Another very important aspect of Taqdeer is our complete acceptance and surrender not with a feeling of helplessness (what can I do, it is beyond my control) but with a sense of joyous serenity, which should come after having diligently tried our level best, having exhausted all possible options, coming to accept, with serenity and peace, that the condition in which one is, is because of Fate.

 Not only that one should also have a firm belief, that although I do not know why in spite of my best and sincere efforts, things are not working to my advantage, or tragedy has struck me - the  belief to have is that I KNOW NOT - ALLAH KNOWS BEST. I submit to HIM 

The lady talks about a very poignant doa - only four words but so full of meaning. 

'val rida bil qadr'  to accept Fate with happiness. To embrace your Fate without sulking, without feeling remorse and sadness. As you embrace joyously the good fortunes, wealth and life's pleasures, likewise embrace the whatever Fate has in store for you. 

As I took my routine morning walk, I was totally engrossed with the thoughts on Taqdeer, and my attention was riveted on the freshly pruned trees in the garden. The branches have been cut, the dead leaves have been removed, but the trees are not complaining, for these trees are for accepting their Fate knowing fully well, that whatever happens, is for their good and their growth. Withing a short period all the trees in my garden will be blooming, all resplendent, some with beautiful flowers, others all green with abundant leaves.

I stood there in front of my teacher, so to speak, and learnt a lesson in life. It is common for us to resent and be up in arms, when our peers and elders, who have our good in their heart, restrict us, do a little pruning, which in our Deen we call ' tamhees'  and we are loath to accept, but as we advance in years and knowledge, the real value of that pruning if realized. 

Presently we are celebrating the 102nd Milad Mubarak of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) and his mansoos A'li Qdr Mufaddal  Saifuddin Moula (TUS) irshaad mubarak is to plant more and more trees, and also  to keep them and lovingly tender them in our homes and work places.

So whenever you look at the trees, and for that matter if you reflect on all the natural elements, who are providers of our daily sustenance, the thing that will strike you first and foremost, that all them are willingly submitting to their Fate and the Will Of Allah. A life lesson indeed.
       

Nurturing plants at home. Alternating between 'harkat' and 'sukoon' with the rise and fall of the wind, my home plants are growing - a life lesson learnt as I observed and reflected. 

Not be goal driven all the time, but like the plants to live a life of ease, and when the winds are favorable, when opportunity knocks, to make the best of it. Alternating my life between 'ease' and 'effort' I will surely grow.

Appreciate the initiative taken by Pune Jamaat in free distribution of plants to the public and shop keepers en route of the grand Milad Mubarak procession as it wounds its way from Burhani Masjid to Husaini Baugh.  

WUDHU - BACK TO BASICS

A PARODY -   NANA NI TO'   VAAT LAGI     BASIC MAAJ BAFOO

( my son in law being from Nagar, the colloquial word VAAT  used  by my grandson Moiz means
 'nana ni to'aavi bani ! )


Enjoying the regal status of a family Patriarch of a large brood of brothers and sisters, all grown up and having grown up children of their own, I have all these long years enjoyed an esteemed status, and have been looked upon by my family members as being the most religious, well read, knowledgeable, particularly in matters of DEEN etc: etc:

A regular Masjid goer, attending religiously miqaats and majalis  -  come Jumoa and you find me at the Masjid one hour before Zohar time, praying Tasbih ul Azam Namaz followed by tilawat of Surah Al -Khaf, Surah Al- Fath etc: My daily tialwat of Bawisa has long been appreciated by my family members and mumineen who hear me all these past years  during Layali Fadehla. 

This Ayyamul -ta-budaat out of the number of pious activities that mumineen are expected to perform for the shifa e kulli and umre darazi of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) whose 102 nd Milad Celebrations have commenced, I found out I have been performing most of them.  

The result of this post, is to share with my family and friends, my ignoble fall from the high horse that I have been riding all these long years. 

A'li Qadr Moula Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS) call and emphasis this Ayyamul - ta- budaat  to do 'Kaamil Woodhu' has jolly well shaken my high pedestal. Like me, there are many who have been holding very elite and powerful positions in the Dawat khidmat, especially lady members of different khidmat idaara,  exhorting others all the time, now like me these poor souls are on their back foot. !!!

BACK TO BASICS has unnerved many. Ladies are saying they are being discriminated as mardo have to only 'sunavo' Quran Tilawat, while they have to perform Woodhu and all proper 'arkaan'  etc: to obtain the coveted Certificate. 

I was among the first to attend the Quran Tilawaat mohim, and as I knew the Muraqeeb on personal term, I just breezed passed. 

What was my undoing, was when I exhorted the ladies of my family to go and obtain the coveted certificate for Wudhu. For young mothers, with madrasa going kids, it was easy, as while teaching their kids, they were fortunate to brush up. The problem was with the old ladies past 60 like my wife. An E Jammat Sms came for a lady relative aged 92 years !! 

While my wife was trying to brush up correct pronunciations of woodhu ayaats and reciting them to my madrasa going grandson Moiz (the thumb rule in family relation is that grandparents are always more close and confide in their grand children, more,  than their own sons and daughters, as the latter, do not have much time for their parents )   

As my poor wife was 'lage raho' with my grandson, who had to repeatedly correct her several times, I was strutting around the house on my "KNOW ALL" high horse and feeling amused and at the same time a little sadden by the effort being put in by wife at this age. Poor thing had to first overcome her ego and open up to her grandchild - who became her tutor. 

I am all appreciative and impressed by the DEEN knowledge being dispensed to our children in  MSB and Madrasa idaaras throughout the world. It was so very different when we were Madrasa going kids. 

My Madrasa was in the Jamaat khana - 4 classes held in the four corners. We used to sit on the floor, and the Mulla Sab (now every one is called Janab) used to have a black low bench in front of him and a cane or fut - patti. Spanking was common. If a Class 2 boy got spanked, the entire Madrasa witnessed it !! 

As my wife was trying to pronounce correctly the masah for ears and faltered before my grandson, I made a life blunder by laughing out loud. This than my dear Readers was my undoing. Moiz turned around to me, and said 'Nana tame padho' Catch 2 for me. 

I blurted out confidently : wa sam mim mi monadeean ..... I was stopped mid sentence by my grandson who said: Nana - wa sam mim mi galat - wa asmeani.

Thus started a chain of commands one after the other, and as I faltered it was my wife's turn to feel amused. After 3-4 failed attempts on my part, my son Moiz ran to his mother and blurted out loud, so that the entire family could hear "MAA MAA  - NANA NI TO' VAAT LAGI - BASIC MAAJ BAFOO"

THANK ALLAH AND A'LI QADR MOULA (TUS) for sparing us mardo !!!

However, my family high pedestal had started to rock, and I was bent on making it steady. But it was easy said than done. Many thoughts assailed me - what was the point in saying namaz when my woodhu is not kaamil etc: The following night was a torture as one thought after another assailed me, and created doubts in my mind. 

Some how I managed to gather my wits, and as with my regular practice during Ayyamul ta-budaat I got up during Nisful Layl and with the mind focused on correctly pronouncing 'wa asmeni' I started the Woodhu, telling my self Asgar, steady, be clam, one thing at a time. 

Viola ! Correct pronunciation of 'wa asmeni' ! Felt very elated, but what happened next will surprise you. My mind went complete blank and  when it came to 'matha ni masah' how hard I tired I could not recall the correct words. It may be because I was so focused on 'wa asmeni' that I forgot and was totally confused.  I had return back and look up again and do the woodhu. 

I know my young friends will be finding this very amusing and unbelievable - but just wait my young friends, a few more years and  turn to my age approaching 75 and you will empathize and understand with my plight, and all those elders, who are trying hard to learn and perform correct Woodhu. Years of faulty recital is so ingrained, that any change is proving a daunting task. 

This 'write up' is than is a tribute to all seniors like me, who are making an honest attempt. Do not give up, how hard it may seem now. Both Moulas doa mubarak and nazarat will overcome the shortcoming.      

SACHIN TENDULKAR

PAUSE AND APPLAUD 

So an era has come to an end. All things come to an end as they should.

 To borrow from a famous Al Pacino speech ‘when you get old in life, things get taken from you.

 You only learn that when you start losing stuff’.  We have just lost the chance to see Tendulkar bat ever again in a one day match. We all may have had strong opinions on when he should have retired. Some said he should have gone immediately after winning the world cup. Others said he should have hung up his boots after scoring that double hundred against South Africa. Most of us were convinced that it was time to go after his 100^th century in Bangladesh. How arrogant of us to chase somebody out who had given us immense hope, joy and unforgettable moments.

My first memorable moment of Tendulkar interestingly was not as the prolific batsman; rather it was the slow leg spinner bowling the ultimate over against South Africa in the hero cup semi final. The game was at Eden Gardens and we in our Kolkata home were baffled when he was given the decisive over. He bowled well and got us home. Eden gardens was lit up by burning torches of the ecstatic fans and in my heart admiration for Sachin was lit; the team man who repaid the trust shown in him and made India win.

My second distinct memory of Sachin is again linked to Kolkata. India was playing Pakistan with the feared Waqar Younis and Wasim akram in their side. It was a Saturday day- night match with a post lunch start. As was my dad’s habit in Kolkatta, he worked for half a day on Saturdays and usually came back home by 4pm. That particular day he was home by 3 pm because a certain Mr Tendulkar was scorching the stadium with scintillating shots that had caused the markets to shut. Dad was forced to down his shutters too and come home. That was the power of this twenty something ‘chokro’ which we had realized and begun to adore.

Third and the most exciting one would be ‘that’ match at Sharjah against the Aussies. Day night matches in Sharjah meant that matches would end around mid- night in India. We were in Pune then, cable television was bringing us live English telecast of the Tendulkar sandstorm. Warne; the punk looking, best spinner in the world; was getting spanked all around the park. We lost that match, but qualified for the finals on a higher run rate. In all the excitement of the big hitting, mom, my brother and I were clapping, high fiving and screaming in joy. That caused a very annoyed dad to wake up from his slumber and quiet us down. We pleaded him to stay and watch the miracle of India chasing a high total, rarer in those days than finding honest politicians in the country. He refused to indulge in our mad belief. Alas, he missed what would become a historic moment.

Fourth is a bitter sweet memory. Tendulkar shouldering the burden of an Indian chase as was the norm then, against Pakistan at Chennai in 1999. Tendulkar was in control, India was in control of the test match.  With victory in sight, he developed a back strain. He played through the pain barrier, until he couldn’t bear no more and decided to hit big shots to get India as close to victory as possible.  He got out in this endeavor, the Pakistanis finished up the rest of the batsmen and recorded till date their narrowest win over India. The crowd in Chennai gave a sporting standing ovation to the Pakistanis, Tendulkar was teary eyed behind a towel in the dressing room and we agonized on what could have been. Somewhere we feared our hero was also a mere mortal. A reality which was difficult to accept.

From the turn of the millennium, things began to change in Indian cricket and sport in the country. Tendulkar began to regularly get injured, began to miss games, Indian cricket team discovered some new talent that gave us improbable victories in improbable distant lands where Tendulkar didn’t play a big part. We believed for the first time that we could win without Tendulkar contributing, the game got shorter, six sixes were hit in an over, new cricketing heroes developed, cricket began to slowly lose its sway, football grew stronger, even more new heroes emerged, sport pundits mushroomed on TV and we thought we were knowledgeable enough to know which player should get benched and who should play. I admit that I myself have called for Tendulkar to be dropped for not performing in 2004 and again in 2008. I opined that we could never become as professional as the Aussies because we kept players on reputation, not on form. I was so wrong.

My fifth and best memory of Tendulkar was to see him in the Chinnaswami Stadium at Bangalore, like a phoenix raised from the ashes of bad form and injuries and mesmerizing the world all over again. No one in India would have argued against his inclusion in the team, as he was in the form of his life since late 2010. The crowd went mad every time he took strike, scored runs, scored yet another century and touched the ball during fielding. It was Sachin mania like I had imagined since I was a boy.  I would count myself extremely fortunate to have witnessed a world cup century scored by Sachin in a campaign that eventually won us the world cup. And I was so happy that after nearly 22 years of playing, India had won the world cup and dedicated the victory to him.

There won’t be anymore moments like that. No more classy straight drives, cheeky paddle sweeps, one day man of the match wards and his boyish voice during presentation ceremonies.  To borrow from the Times headline, ‘Colour has gone out of our one day cricket’. Numbers and statistics will be used to debate his greatness but numbers will never tell how he touched our lives and how often he made us smile.

 For that let’s stand up and applaud the little genius. He deserves it after all.

Watch Harsha Bhogle's video blog on the achievement of Sachin.

ARTICLE BY : SHABBIR M LOKHANDWALA - PUNE 

shaabirml@gmail.com  

YouTube - Videos from this email

  

VALUE OF DETACHMENT

Google CEO Eric Schmidt, in his 2012 commencement address to Boston University, urged the graduating students to designate one of their waking hours every day to being completely free of any communication device at all. Do you see benefits from this, or simply annoyance? How would such a step affect your life? What would you do in such an hour?
(600 words)                                      
               

 This is the Essay submitted by Bhai Zoher Murtaza B Ghadyali, which will surely make an interesting reading and make us all proud of our DEEN.

 In my faith, during the ten days of Ashura, my family mourns. We do not watch television, go online, or listen to music. Devoid of all of my normal communication devices, I do not have anything to distract me from my faith. Ashura has always been a deeply spiritual time for me but also a time when I feel disconnected from the world. During Ashura, I paint and play board games with my family. Without Facebook, I actually have to call up my friends and hear their voices as I ask them what they have been up to. Ashura is not only a religious experience for me but a retrospective glance into what life might have been like before the rise of computers and Google, a life that is just as rewarding as the one I live now.

I grew up in the dawn of the computer era and for the most part, I have benefitted from it. I learned how to use Microsoft PowerPoint and Word in middle school. I learned how to draw and paint digitally in my graphic design classes. I am on my laptop daily, absorbing information at a speed unparalleled by anyone before my time.

With the rise of computers and the Internet, the world has become a much more connected place. With the Internet, a student here can realize the plight of the disabled in Tanzania and become inspired to travel there and build wheelchairs out of old bicycles. The era of rapid-fire communication has led to increased globalization, a greater understanding of other countries and cultures, and the formation of connections all around the globe. But these benefits come with a price.

When we sit behind computers, we have the power of gods in front of us. Everything is a quick Google search away. We can research any topic at any time. We can learn and adapt at faster speeds than ever before. Behind a computer, we are machines of efficiency. Everything can be accessed, everything can be absorbed and synthesized and used to become even more efficient. We feel this drive to work and learn and surf the internet behind a computer. We can see what our friends are up to on Facebook and Twitter. We can use Wikipedia to quickly summarize vast topics that volumes are written about. We can listen to all the music in the world. However, we are denied the journey, the path we normally take to achieve these things.

Facebook will never replace the pleasure of going out with a friend you have not seen in a while to catch up over a cup of coffee. In a similar way, the Internet will never capture the journey of looking through an encyclopedia for an obscure lizard species, and the joy of finding it. In our era of communication, anyone can be reached through the internet instantaneously. But the journey to that person is lost. When everything is just a quick Google search away, the thrill of research and the success of finding something you never knew before are tempered.

I see the value in spending an hour, or even more than an hour, a day without our communication devices. I see the value in losing the omniscient power these devices give us. Without this constant pressure to be efficient, we can truly embrace our humanity. We can do things we do not need our computers to do. We can create art. We can ask questions that haven’t been answered yet, and come up with ideas that haven’t been blogged about before. We can enjoy the journey this simple, unadulterated humanity takes us on.

         Zoher Ghadyali
         zoher.ghadyali@gmail.com

FMB Coimbatore goes online !

FMB Coimbatore goes online!

Every Monday morning, 75-year-old aunty Safiya logs on to a particular website. After feeding her ID and password, she carefully references the calendar and puts in her tick across the days from Monday to Saturday while also considering her family’s weekly requirement.

A few lanes away, Sheikh Hakimuddin bhai Rampurawala and his team collate the large quantities of data fed from aunty Safiya and many others like her and after a few patient hours of organizing these records, create the master list – the precise quantity of food that needs to be prepared during the week.

Welcome to the world of Faiz-ul Mawaid-al Burhaniyah (FMB) Coimbatore, which is perhaps the only in India to take FMB online.

Interestingly, when Sheikh Hakimuddin bhai was visiting his son in Manchester, he was introduced to the online FMB concept pioneered by the Manchester Jamaat, which is at the trisection of strengthening convenience, ensuring widespread availability of food and minimising resource and cost wastages. He applied his learnings and the result was the launch ofwww.fmbcoimbatore.com as early as March 2012.

Below are the edited excerpts from the interview with the core team of FMB Coimbatore comprising Sheikh Hakimuddin bhai Rampurawala (Secretary), Juzer bhai Lodhgar, Hussain bhai Rampurawala and Zainab bai Bhinderwala.    

Q. What was the inspiration behind taking FMB online in Coimbatore?

A. With the dua and raza mubarak of Maula Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS), His Mansoos Syedi Wa Maulaya Aaliqadr Mufaddal Bhaisaheb Saifuddin (TUS) initiated Faiz-ul Mawaid-al Burhaniyah (FMB). With the active encouragement, support and involvement of Sheikh Saifuddin bhai saab Rangoonwala, Coimbatore aamil saab, we realised that FMB was an excellent initiative to not only ensure food for all but also weave our Coimbatore community closer, much along the lines of the famed saying ‘Families that eat together, stay together’.

With a view to stay with the times and embrace the latest in technology, we created a seamless platform where recipients in our city could easily place FMB thaali requests, modify their servings, view weekly menus and lodge change/ cancel order requests – all online with the simple click of a few buttons.

  

Q. So you are saying that recipients could simply go online and place requests from wherever they might be?

A. Absolutely. FMB Coimbatore was created with the overarching purpose of strengthening anytime-anywhere access. So recipients can log on from the comfort of their homes or from their smart phones or tablets while commuting to work. The biggest advantage of this all-pervasive infrastructure is that our recipients are never too far away and can easily access the Web site www.fmbcoimbatore.com to modify or cancel placed requests if they have to leave town on a short notice or if they have to attend a sudden invitation.

Q. What is the procedure for registering online?

 A. When we were creating the Web site, we were clear that it needed to be simple, non-cumbersome and user-friendly. The result was that all one had to do was log on to www.fmbcoimbatore.com, enter the Ejamaat number and password, modify the password and simply select servings (‘1’ corresponding to single tiffin for serving two or ‘2’ corresponding to double tiffins for serving a family of four) or cancel orders.

For enhancing convenience, especially among those who do not have access to the Net, the order is placed by FMB members. The menu for the particular day is also visible alongside the date and users can also write in their feedback and read notices.

Q. What happens once the master list is created?  

A. The Web site has been designed such that registering and placing orders can be done on every Monday for the whole week. Once we know the number of single and double tiffins that have been requested, we can easily calculate the precise quantity of food that is required to be cooked on a daily and weekly basis.

Q. What is the biggest advantage of the master list?    

A. The master list triggers a series of events that comprises placing the correct purchase order for meat, grains, vegetables and other resources with a view to minimise wastages. Since raw material procurement represents the single biggest cost in the entire operation, the master list is vital in helping us allocate and budget procurement costs and keep these in tight control.

y closer, much along the lines of the famed saying ‘Families that eat together, stay together’.

 Q. What happens thereafter?

A. All incoming raw material resources are checked for their quality, quantity, expiry date and consistency before they are dispatched to the kitchen for thorough washing and cleaning. The cooks and helpers are mandated to maintain hygiene and cleanliness and sudden and surprise checks helps maintain vigilance. The food is also sampled intermittently and once cooked, is packed into the respective tiffins and placed in large racks for easy pick-up. For the sake of convenience, each family has two tiffins for alternate usage.

Q. What is the science that goes behind creating the menu?

A. We are a team of 20 members with clear, segregated responsibilities. One among us is a qualified dietician in charge of creating a menu that is nutritious, wholesome and well-balanced so that a family dependant on the FMB thaali will not suffer from deficiencies. We are careful to use only rice bran oil, olive oil and pure ghee and do not use artificial colours or food essence.

Q. If I were to ask you the biggest outcome of taking FMB online, what would it be?

A. Clearly the fact that that there is minimum wastage in the entire food chain. What is cooked is balanced off with what is distributed. The imposition of penalties has also ensured an almost 100% compliance between order placement and collection. After gathering reams of data from the Web site over months, we have strengthened our forecasting and budgeting practices, integrating our procurement chain and saving on costs through proper inventory management.

However we believe that the biggest result of taking FMB online is that individuals in our community have been introduced to the computer and Internet and there is a greater level of enthusiasm especially among the seniors to embrace this medium.

Q. Have you been approached by peers from other cities?

A. We have received quite a few representations from several FMB committees from India and abroad to understand our model and we believe it is only a matter of time before other such groups embrace this cost-effective and far-reaching medium. 

  

Word from the author: 

This article has been prepared with the objective of recognizing the ability of our community members to embrace the new and stay ahead of the times. It is also a source for common learning and implementing tried and trusted best practices.   

Please feel free to circulate this article as widely as possible.

Adnan Hamid

adnan@trisyscom.com 

I commend the efforts of Bhai Adnan Hamid and hope his well conducted interview and 'write up' will motivate others in the khidmat of FMB world wide to pool in their talents and resources, the ultimate aim is to make the entire 'mohim'  one of the best in the world and the A'la niyat is the khusi and doa of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) and his a'ali qadr Mansoos Sayedi va Moulayi Muffadal Saifuddin Moula (TUS)