Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, May 30: Ramlans Charitable Trust, founded with a view to make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged and build a better community, was officially launched in a befitting ceremony at SDM College here on Saturday May 30.
The Trust was formally launched by Dr Mohan Alva, chairman of Alva's Education Trust, who also launched its website and logo.
Dr Bhaskar, Ramdas, Joseph Crasta, and Ahmed Hameed Ali were honoured with the RCT Excellence in Charity Awards for their immense contribution to society in the field of service.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Mohan Alva said, "This is a beautiful programme. The late V Ramlan Haji as an officer strived for the welfare and betterment of society. Even so many years after independence, though governments have changed and many changes have taken place and many charities have worked for the good of the society, somewhere we are still disheartened. The society is polarised - we have the extremely rich and the very poor, we can find the educated as well as the uneducated, and people who have attained success and those who have suffered failures. Many charities have sincerely worked to reduce this gap between the extremes. Our nation needs sincere efforts from charitable trusts if people have to live a happy and prosperous life. Countries like the USA do not need charitable trusts, but it India, we need them."
He further added, "Charity should be done irrespective of caste and religion. If a person seeks benefit from doing charity, then it is not charity. What is important is the happiness we see in the eyes of the beneficiary."
Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim released 'Decalogue of Ramlan Haji' written by Zeeshan Ramlan, the grandson of the late Ramlan Haji, who served as a BDO, tahsildar, assistant commissioner, district magistrate, regional transport officer (RTO), district development officer, headquarter assistant and special land acquisition officer in the late 60s and 70s, and who was known to be a man of principles.
In his address, A B Ibrahim lauded the initiative of setting up Ramlans Charitable Trust and said, "We come across many programmes every day but this programme is truly unique. There are gems amongst us whose service should reach the entire society be transformed into an institution. This is a good initiative. There are people who have plenty of money and are ready to give, and at the same time, there are needy people. But the problem is there is no link connecting the two. Hence, such institutions as Ramlans should become the connecting link.
"Educational institutions should provide free seats to the needy and the poor which would help to mould their future. We need to give back what we have received from society. The benefits should reach the poor and needy," he added.
MLA Mohiuddin Bava released Ramlans Charitable Trust newsletter.
Renowned poet B M Ichlangod was felicitated on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, B M Ichlangod recalled memories of the late Ramlan Haji and said, "He was a good humanitarian, who was compassionate to the poor. He was disciplined, and served the society without expecting anything in return. He was respected by everyone. During hard times I used to seek guidance from Ramlan Haji."
Mohiuddin Bava praised MD of the Trust Zeeshan Ramlan and found Shameem Ramlan for taking this initiative to serve the society. Shameem Ramlan also spoke on the occasion.
Dr Sharwaque Ramlan proposed the vote of thanks.
The website of the Trust has been designed Waseem Shaan. Earlier in the programme, a Power Point presentation about Trust was shown.
About Ramlans Charitable Trust
The city-based Ramlans Charitable Trust (regd) formed in July 2013 has worked tirelessly for the underprivileged and less fortunate people in the society. It has emerged as one such trust that provides basic amenities for the poorest of the poor, extending all kinds of facilities related to health, education, food, shelter and much more.
In the last two years, RCT has conducted over 20 initiatives for the poor which include sponsoring education, providing financial aid to carry out weddings, construction of houses for the underprivileged, health camps, revamping old age homes, fun evenings, dream camps for HIV-positive kids, monetary aid to the physically challenged and distribution of food to the needy on streets.
Today, more and more aged persons have been abandoned by their families. Normally they are weak in health due to age, hunger and health problems. Ramlans Trust has stepped up for a cause and is planning to build an old age home soon.
For more details contact: Zeeshan Ramlan - Ramlanstrust@gmail.com