Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Jan 21: Social/Educational Welfare Association (SEWA), a wing of South Kanara Muslim Welfare Association (SKMWA), Muscat, distributed scholarships to students here on Saturday, January 20.

Addressing the gathering chief guest M A Gafoor, chief of Karnataka Minorities Development Commission said, “As many as 1.5 lac students are given interest free loan facility under Arivu scheme of the state government. Every year, the state government spends Rs 330 crore for the welfare of the minorities. Islam is a good religion, but due to the mistakes of some of its followers, it is facing criticism.

“SKMWA Muscat is doing holy work. From next year, Arivu scheme will be extended to PU students also. Muslims of South Canara are very generous. Our ancestor Haji Abdullah Saheb was a great donor. Karnataka Minorities Development Commission is working hard for the betterment of women and children of the minority communities,” he said.

SKMWA Muscat was founded in 1986 with an aim of helping poor women to come up in life. From 2008, SKMWA Muscat started to provide scholarship to meritorious students pursuing graduation. The association is based in Muscat. Through the financial help of donors and well wishers, SKMWA Muscat is providing scholarships to students. Rs 5 lac worth scholarship to 41 students was provided by the association this year.

P S Akbar, former president, SKMWA Muscat said, “The money which is given to the students is a fruit of hard work and sacrifice. The students who receive the scholarship should return the favor in future to other poor students. They should work for the betterment of poor.”

Sheikh Ummer, former president, SKMWA Muscat presided over t he function. Mohammed Hussain, president SKMWA Muscat, Jamaluddin, Nazeer Ahmed, and founder member Haroon Rashid were present.