India Affairs

The India Affairs Committee reports regularly to the Board on activities of the Kholvad India Committee in Kholvad, the madressa, schools and the masjid which MAIK supports. Reports are based on correspondence, telephone calls and annual visits to India. The various convenors of this Committee have been fluent in Gujerati which facilitate interpretation of the financial reports from Kholvad and correspondence.

The estimated population of Kholvad is about 10 000 of which only 400 to 500 are members of the original Kholvad families. Many other families have migrated globally for greener pastures. Although the municipality takes responsibility for the general maintenance of the area MAIK provided assistance to the construction or maintenance of three Masjids, a high school, a primary school and a newly constructed hall are some of the projects that MAIK supports.

High School: There are 800 learners of which 400 are Muslims. The fourteen educators are high qualified; the majority have two university degrees. The school does not make any distinction based on religion or caste. The final exam results of the scholars are amongst the best in the Gujerat Province.

 

Primary School: The primary school is on the same site as the high school. It has 700 learners and 12 educators.

The State of Gujerat has been responsible for all salaries and operational expenses of the two schools based on enrolment figures and annual subsidies. The maintenance of the buildings and any administrative costs are born by the community in India and South Africa.

Kholvad Madrassa (Mukhtab): This Madresssa has 700 learners; male and females and 25 Ustaads. MAIK South Africa is responsible for the costs of running this madressa. Funds are sent to Kholvad monthly to cover all expenses, which includes salaries and for all special events. The Madressa has provided excellent Deeni Talim for generations.

Hostel for Learners: Learners from neighbouring settlements and villages often enrol at the high schools and the madressa in Kholvad because of their high standard of teaching. This has resulted in a demand for hostel accommodation. The Vohra Society has built a boys hostel, and a girl’s hostel was built by the Kholvad, India committee which accommodates 20 girls.

Two community halls have been built in Kholvad: the Kholvad Community Hall in 2006; and the Yusuf Ismail Karabhai Hall. The latter can accommodate over 500 people and is often used for community or school related activities. This hall was funded by the Kholvad Community of Gujerat.