As temperatures soared in the Indian summer of 2025, hundreds of Dawoodi Bohra volunteers took to the streets to serve small moments of relief by distributing chilled beverages.
Towns and cities from Kandivali to Chennai and Kolkata to Erode has seen these volunteers set up roadside stalls and move through busy lanes to offer commuters, police officers, labourers, delivery workers, and everyday citizens servings of nimbu pani (lemonade), buttermilk and rose water.
Three years running
Now in its third year, the initiative, launched under the Dawoodi Bohra community’s philanthropic arm, Project Rise, has grown in both scale and spirit.
“When we proposed this idea, we were not sure how many people would volunteer,” said Ishaq Godhrawala, a teacher and one of the early organisers of the initiative. But I was very happy to see the enthusiasm from different members stepping up to the task.”
An impactful outreach
This year, the campaign brought together 225 volunteers who served nearly 30,000 beverage cups from across 13 Indian cities and towns.
As the initiative expanded, so did the volunteers’ awareness on how to connect best with people. While many accepted the drinks, in some places, volunteers noticed degrees of hesitation.
“People thought it was just another stall selling sharbat. So instead of waiting behind the counter, we began carrying trays directly into the crowds,” said Shabbir Rawat, a volunteer from Dahod.
Young and old, men and women — all played a part. Some prepared ingredients. Others worked the stalls. Many simply moved through the heat, serving with a smile.
Reaching the right spaces
Volunteers set up stalls in marketplaces, transport hubs, and thoroughfares, making it easier to reach those constantly on the move. In cities like Mumbai and Chennai, dabbawalas, police officers, labourers, and other everyday workers were offered relief as they toiled under the sun to keep the city going.
A spirit of service
Serving the wider community is a core tenet of Islam. His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, has time and again emphasised the importance of serving and caring for fellow citizens.
“During Ramadan this year, His Holiness encouraged community members to reach out to all sections of society and serve them with sincerity and commitment,” Rawat shared. “That message stayed with me,” he said.
For many first-time volunteers, the experience was unexpectedly moving.
“Some became emotional,” Rawat added. “The simple words of appreciation from passersbys motivated them even more to contribute.”
Sustainability and hygiene
The initiative was carried out with hygiene and sustainability as a priority. Beverages were served in eco-friendly paper cups, and stalls and surrounding areas were cleaned thoroughly afterward.
Each year, this simple outreach reinforces the idea of how small, thoughtful acts can help build bridges across communities. The Dawoodi Bohra community of India continues to manifest this value, come rain or shine, committed to serving society in as many meaningful ways as possible.
