Bhakti Chalak/Pune

Hafiz Shaikh started social work as he felt he owed it to society. A few years later in 2016 he wanted to expand his work and set up an organization named Nisar Foundation.

Since that day Hafiz Shaikh has never let a day pass without his Nisar Foundation, based in the Kondhwa area of Pune city in Maharashtra, without raising funds or supporting people in a way that changes their lives.

Although there are various schemes of the government for the patients of the general category of the society, necessary documents are required to avail it. As the poor people mostly don't have documents, they hesitate to visit a civil hospital or a dispensary.

Nisar Foundation comes to the help of such destitute patients and many have received treatment at generous rates. The foundation provides beds, water mattresses, walkers, and wheelchairs required for medical treatment and care free of cost to such patients.  

Keeping in mind the exorbitant expenditure on medicines, Hafiz has set up two dispensaries named Nisar at Bhagyodaya Nagar and Nawazish Chowk in Kondhwa. At both these facilities the patient is provided medicine for Rs 30. It also provides a medical check-up and two days' worth of medication. Both these hospitals have a daily flow of hundreds of patients.

A team of four doctors is serving in both these clinics. All the doctors are professionals and not volunteers, Nisar Foundation pays them salaries as per market rates. Besides 8 more employees are working in these twin facilities.

Hafiz looks after the day-to-day management of these two hospitals.

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Speaking with Awaz-the Voice, Hafiz says, “This work gives me great satisfaction. The work of the organization is going very well. Many selfless and dedicated workers work in this organization. I decided to do this work keeping in mind the poverty and the persecution of patients during treatment."

He said, "We try to use every opportunity to serve society through patient care. All kinds of patients come to us while doing this work. So we don't see anyone's caste or religion; whether someone is rich or poor. Every class of patient gets quality treatment here.”

Asked about the motivation for him to do it, Hafiz says, “Khidmat se khuda metla ha.. (Service to humanity of godliness) I get the inspiration for social work from my religion. Helping the needy is necessary if balance is to be maintained in society. Allah blesses us if we help the elements of society regardless of caste and religion. To give an example in medical terms, money is as important in society as blood in the body. If the blood supply to any part of the body is reduced, the condition worsens. Similarly, if poverty strikes one section of society, immoral things happen in the whole society. So Islam has taken a path against inequality through zakat and we are carrying it forward.” 

Nisar Foundation is also working to empower women economically and motivate them for self-employment. He started a Vocational Training Center for women to get jobs easily. Women can do this course even after the 10th standard. The duration of this course is from six months to one year. After this course, women are awarded degrees. Fees for these courses range from Rs 500-700 only and some trainings are even provided for free.

The center offers courses in Nursing, Paramedical Courses, Spoken English, Tailoring, Mehndi, Beauty Parlor, Makeup Training, Fashion Designing.

Along with this, they have started free classes for schoolchildren who cannot afford the class fees.  

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Talking about this, Hafiz says, “If a woman is empowered, the entire household is empowered. If every woman in the society progresses, the entire society will automatically progress. We are working through the organization to educate women and empower them financially. Provides free degree training to economically destitute women.”   

Hafiz maintains a low profile and is only dedicated to his work.