It’s a painful reality that many sisters in Dakshina Kannada district, aged above thirty, remain unmarried. Some even surpass forty, while their childhood friends, whom they once danced with, are now married and have children. In certain households, several girls above thirty patiently wait for their turn to marry.

These sisters have upheld the honor of our community for years, maintaining their integrity and resisting temptation. They have suppressed their desires, staying true to their values and principles. But how much longer must they wait?

Are they not our sisters as well? Don’t they too dream of marriage and companionship? Do they not yearn for motherhood and the joys it brings? It’s only fair to acknowledge their desires and aspirations, and to work towards ensuring that they, too, find happiness and fulfilment in their lives.

In 2011, the Talent Research Foundation, led by Abdul Raoof Puthige, initiated a project aimed at marrying all sisters above the age of thirty in the D.K. district. This compassionate effort sought to address the plight of unmarried women in the community. Under this scheme, 167 sisters were assisted in marriage.

Subsequently, in 2017, a dedicated committee named “Nande Pengal” Abhiyan was established for this purpose, with the late Naushad Haji Suralpadi elected as its president. From 2017 to 2020, the committee facilitated 343 marriages, and from 2020 to April 2024, 253 more sisters found assistance in marriage. In total, since the establishment of the “Nande Penal” committee, 596 sisters have been aided in finding partners.

However, there are still many sisters awaiting marriage, as evidenced by the organization’s compilation of a list of approximately 1,500 unmarried women over the age of thirty. The journey ahead remains challenging, but the organization is committed to finding viable solutions to this pressing issue. Recognizing the importance of collective responsibility, many Muslim businessmen and affluent individuals have stepped forward to support this noble cause.

Nande Pengal Committee

Naushad Haji Suralpadi served as the Chairman of the Committee overseeing the successful implementation of the Nande Pengal Campaign, with Zakaria Jokatte as the Honorary Chairman and SM Rashid Haji as the Chief Advisor. The committee included prominent figures such as BM Mumtaz Ali, BH Asghar Ali, and Ashraf Karnire as Vice Presidents, Mansoor Ahmed as General Secretary, Abdul Raoof Puthige as Treasurer, Nisar Muhammad, and Muhammad Haris as Secretaries, and AK Niaz as the head of the resource team, alongside other influential social workers.

In March 2020, the committee evolved into the Nande Pengal Charitable Trust, with BM Mumtaz Ali assuming the role of Chairman. The trust comprises a total of 21 dignitaries as trustees.

The trust has been diligently working towards the success of the campaign, implementing various strategies including a door-to-door program. The campaign has been extensively publicized, resulting in numerous marriage applications being received. The trust is dedicated to assisting these applicants to the best of its abilities, striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

In the Nande Pengal program, both the beneficiary and the sponsor maintain confidentiality regarding the identity of each other. The donor chooses not to disclose their identity. Wedding portraits are not published to seek publicity. Importantly, this approach safeguards the self-respect of the beneficiary.

The Nande Pengal Abhiyan wedding ceremonies are conducted just like any other traditional wedding event. Sponsors participate in the celebration alongside other invitees. Each sponsor takes on the responsibility of marrying a poor woman, while some may choose to support multiple women, depending on their capacity.

This initiative serves multiple objectives simultaneously. Firstly, it facilitates the marriage of poor girls, ensuring their well-being. Additionally, it contributes to the eradication of the dowry system, ensuring that marriages take place without imposing financial burdens on the girl’s family. Sponsors also derive personal satisfaction from their contribution, knowing that their donation is being utilized effectively. Overall, the program serves as a platform for social welfare, promoting equality and dignity in marriage.

Project Features

• Not mass marriage.
• Charity in secret.
• No pompous marriage allowed
• Assistance only after proper verification
• No promotion of aid. The details of the beneficiaries will not be disclosed anywhere.

Donors are visited at the beneficiary’s house and shown the real situation. And the donation will be distributed to the beneficiary family from their own hands

TEAM