Rasheed Vitla is a well known writer who is recognised by the prestigious organisations of the coastal region. He was also a journalist, earlier. Born on October 20, 1978 to Serantimata Kunhippa Haji and Beefathima near Vittal of Bantwal Taluk, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka as Abdul Rasheed is today popularly known as Rasheed Vitla. Married on February 1, 2007, his family comprises his wife Abida Annath and daughter Afrah Fatima.

Rasheed’s father Kunhippa Haji was a textile merchant. And for several years, his father ran a cloth store named Basheer Cloth Store in Vittal. Rasheed lost his mother when he was one and a half years old. She died due to child birth complications. The child died at birth too. Rasheed Vitla had his childhood education juggling between his father’s and grandmother’s house. His brother S. M. Mahmood played a crucial role during his growing up days. Rasheed had a difficult childhood. At a young age, he would carry a box on his shoulder and sell ice-candy in the alleys. He traded raw fish sitting on elevated platform beside roads. He would operate cradles in the fair. He also worked day and night at arecanut shops, coconut mills, and ration shops. He also sold cashewnuts by buying it from retailers. These apart, he also worked in black stone quarry of his uncle as a writer. Also working as loader loading size stones and gravel into lorries all by himself. All these jobs were taken up between the ages of 14 and 22.

Once attaining a prime age, Rasheed got involved in his father’s textile business and later developed the same store, thus establishing Al Noor Fashion Centre. In 2001, Rasheed took up journalism as a reporter for Kannada newspaper Vijaya Karnataka. During this stint, several of his investigative reports, and special articles were published as lead on the front page of the newspaper. In 2006, he quit working for the newspaper and started his own business. Rasheed, who began writing for newspapers at the age of 16, has been a writer for 29 years now. (1995-2024). His writings have been published in various newspapers and magazines of the state. Over times, his humanitarian reports, and writings have given a new lease of life to many poor and helpless people. Currently, Rasheed is running a boarding and lodging business in Bangalore.

In 1998, Rasheed entered the social service sector through Lions Club affiliated Leo Club. Earlier, Rasheed had worked in some religious organisations too. In 2000, he became a member of the Vittal Junior Chamber and became its President in 2010. He has also been bestowed with Leo District Person award and, many other Zonal & National level Jaycee awards. Being the founding secretary of the Rotary Club Vittal, Rasheed has received the Rotary District award. He has worked as a founding member of Vittal Chamber of Commerce Association, Secretary of Vittal Town Mosque, Director of Vittal Jaycees School, and President of Ukkuda Public School. He is also a member of Mangalore Haj Camp. Further, he has also served as a member of Karnataka Government District Wakf Committee for three years.

Rasheed Vitla, who formed M. Friends Charitable Trust in 2013, is its founding Chairman. He gathered like-minded people from the community to M. Friends, which has now grown to a team of 64 members. M. Friends, which began as a WhatsApp group, now has grown into a well-known charity organisation in the state. The organisation has been providing free meals under the Karunya Scheme at Wenlock District Hospital Mangalore with the cooperation of donors for the past six and a half years by engaging in health, infrastructure and educational activities for the poor. As many as 500 people benefit from it daily. An innovative computer bus called ‘Class on Wheels’ has been M. Friends’ tenth anniversary gift to society. Rasheed Vitla’s role in M. Friends’ work of reuniting a woman who had been missing for many years with her family and releasing the victims who were in jails abroad is also crucial. In total, so far M. Friends has spent over Rs. 5 Crore for charity work. Despite the immense co-operation of 64 members and the contribution of donors, it is not wrong to say that Rasheed Vitla’s role in establishing such an organisation has been very important.

Rasheed, who is the President of the Bantwal unit of the Jamiyyatul Falah, a prestigious educational service organisation of the coastal region, is known for his many philanthropic services. It was Rasheed Vitla who stood as a pillar of support for an HIV-affected children’s centre in Mangalore and brought it into the mainstream by introducing several donors when it fell into bad times. Today the organisation is functioning successfully. A number of AIDS-affected orphan children are sheltered there and engaged in education along with treatment. He has been recognised and honoured by many organisations in Dubai, Madinah, Dammam, Qatar and also in Mangalore as well as Bangalore. In recognition of his achievement, many TV news channels, radio and newspapers of the state have conducted interviews and published articles. Rasheed’s writings have light up many homes, saved many lives, and solved many problems. Rasheed, who has always been involved in humanitarian work, has broken the shackles of caste, religion and language and is involved in the society with the feeling that all are one.

Contact: +91 9741993313
Email ID: smr.vitla@gmail.com