From attender to trusted pillar: Mohammed Jaffar’s long service in Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem
By: Mohammed Yahya Damudi
If anyone wishes to see a living example of honesty, loyalty, sincerity, and dedication, they need only look at the life of Mohammed Jaffar, son of Mohammed Ismail Jambar, who recently retired after serving the Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem Bhatkal for more than five decades.
At just 22 years of age, a simple-hearted young man stepped into the Tanzeem office as a humble worker. His journey began as an attender with a monthly salary of only Rs. 125. But for him, this was never just a job. It was a sacred trust, and for half a century he fulfilled it with absolute honesty and commitment. With time, his responsibilities grew, but never once did he complain or show displeasure. His salary may have risen from Rs. 125 to Rs. 19,000 over the years, but his true earnings were the respect, love, and prayers of the community he served.
One incident still shines brightly in the history of Tanzeem. A philanthropist once came to the office to make a large donation. At that time, only Jaffar was present. The donor called the then-secretary and asked if he could entrust the money to Jaffar. The secretary’s reply has become immortal: “You may have doubts about the secretary, but never about Jaffar.” These words stand as the greatest recognition of his lifelong honesty and trustworthiness.
Jaffar witnessed every rise and fall of Tanzeem. Leaders changed, committees came and went, decisions were made and debated – but he kept every secret buried deep within his heart. His service extended beyond office hours: riding a bicycle up Bhaktal’s steep slopes to distribute agendas, arranging files and meetings, ensuring everything ran smoothly. His quiet efforts became the very foundation that kept the institution strong through all seasons.
In his personal life too, he lived with simplicity. He built a small mud house on the hillside of Bhatkal, later covering it with tiles, then adding a concrete slab, and eventually, through a generous contribution during Tanzeem’s centenary celebrations, the humble dwelling was turned into a modest yet permanent home. But simplicity and contentment always remained his true identity.
Now, after 51 years of continuous service, his health has weakened. Walking has become difficult, and illness troubles him, but his heart still beats for Tanzeem. His only wish is to continue visiting the office daily and spend time in the institution he loves so dearly.
The lifelong service of Mohammed Jaffar is a priceless asset for the community of Bhatkal. He is a shining lamp who not only illuminated his own era but also set a lasting example of service, honesty, and loyalty for future generations.
We owe him deep gratitude for devoting the golden years of his life to the service of the community. May Allah grant him complete health and strength. Ameen.
Note: How wonderful it would be if our youth federation were to organize a grand felicitation program in his honour.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Ex-PM Devegowda warns opposition of electoral losses if they continue to allege 'vote chori'
New Delhi (PTI): Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda on Monday said the Opposition parties would "suffer" if they continue to raise allegations of "vote chori" and create suspicion in the minds of voters by blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.
Participating in a discussion on election reforms in the Rajya Sabha, he criticised the Opposition for making a mockery about the Prime Minister "in the streets and on the public platform".
"This (India) is a very big country. A large country. Congress may be in three states. Remember my friends please, by using the words 'vote chori' you are going to suffer in the coming days. You are not going to win the battle," Devegowda said, referring to the Opposition members.
He asked what the Opposition is going to earn by "blaming Narendra Modi's leadership and creating a suspicion in the mind of the voters" through the claims of "vote chori".
"What has happened to their minds? Let them rectify," Devegowda said.
ALSO READ: Search operation ends in Anjaw truck accident, 20 bodies recovered
The former prime minister said that during his over seven decades of public life, he has never raised such issues of vote theft despite facing defeat in elections.
He also cited a letter written by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru regarding inclusion of "18,000 votes" (voters) in Kerala.
"Why I am telling this (because) during the Nehru period also, there were certain lapses in the electoral system," said Devegowda, who was the prime minister between June 1, 1996 and April 21, 1997.
He said that the Congress party faced defeat in the recent Bihar elections despite raising the issues of mistakes in the electoral rolls.
"What happened after that even after so much review (of voters list). Think (for) yourself! You got six MLAs," the senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader said.
Devegowda questioned the Opposition as to why they want to make allegations against the prime minister on the issue of the voters list?
"Election Commission is there. Supreme Court is there. The Election Commission has given direction to all the state units to rectify all these things," he said.
Devegowda said people of the country have full confidence in Narendra Modi's government and it will come back to power after the next Lok Sabha elections as well.
K R Suresh Reddy, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party's Rajya Sabha member from Telangana, said that electoral reforms are the backbone for a healthy democracy.
He said a large and diverse nation like Indi needs clean electoral rolls.
Asserting that strict re-verification should not become a mechanism for exclusion, Reddy said no eligible voter should lose their right to vote simply because accessing paperwork is difficult.
He said while the concern definitely is on the voters' exclusion, "we should also be equally concerned about the percentage of voting."
"What is happening in voting today? Once the election ends, the drama begins. The biggest challenge that the Indian democracy has been facing in spite of two major Constitutional amendments has been the anti-defection. Anti-defection is the name of the game today, especially in smaller states, especially where the legislatures are small in number," Reddy said.
The senior BRS leader suggested creation of a parliamentary committee "which would constantly look into the defection" and "ways and means to cutting that".
AIADMK's M Thambidurai raised the issues related to election campaigning.
ALSO READ: National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
"Election campaigns are one of the important election processes. In that, political parties must be given the proper chance to campaign," he said and cited problems faced by his party in Tamil Nadu in this regard.
Thambidurai said political parties were facing hardships in Tamil Nadu to conduct public meetings and to express their views to the public.
YSRCP's Yerram Venkata Subba Reddy stressed on bringing electoral reforms at both the state and national levels.
He also suggested replacing Electronic Voting Machines with paper ballots in all future elections.
"EVM may be efficient but can't be trusted. Paper ballot may not be efficient but can be trusted. You need trust in democracy," Reddy added.
