As winter temperatures dip across Saurashtra, the Dawoodi Bohra community in Rajkot has launched a region-wide winter wear drive to ensure government school students remain warm, healthy, and able to focus on their education.
The initiative, titled ‘Warmth for Children’, was launched on Tuesday at P.P. Ranchoddasji Maharaj Primary School in collaboration with the Primary Education Board of Rajkot. Through this effort, 7,200 students studying in more than 100 government schools across the region will receive essential winter wear in the form of sweaters.
The inaugural event was graced by several distinguished guests and local leaders from the Rajkot Municipal Corporation, including Naynaben Pedhadiya, Mayor of Rajkot City; Narendra Singh Jadeja, Deputy Mayor; Vikrambhai Pujara, Chairman of the Rajkot Nagar Primary Education Committee; Manishbhai Radiya, Dandak; Ashvin Molya, General Secretary; and Kishore Rathode, President of the Purusharth Charitable Trust.
Commending the community’s efforts, Mayor Naynaben Pedhadiya said, "The Dawoodi Bohra community has a beautiful way of living amongst everyone, blending into the fabric of society just as sugar dissolves into milk. Every single day of the year, they carry a deep and genuine affection for the country and society, consistently dedicating themselves to selfless service. It is with great joy that we stand ready to support your community’s wonderful work."
Speaking on the inspiration of the project, Saifuddin Bhabrawala, a representative of His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin in Rajkot, shared that the initiative was inspired by His Holiness’ recent visit to the Kathiawad region. During the visit, His Holiness met community members across towns and villages and spoke about the responsibility of nurturing the younger generation. Motivated by this guidance, local volunteers worked closely with school authorities to identify children who struggle to attend classes comfortably during winter because of inadequate clothing.
Vikrambhai Pujara, Chairman of the Rajkot Nagar Primary Education Committee, welcomed the collaboration and said, “Efforts like these directly support the well-being of students in government schools. When children are warm and comfortable, they attend school more regularly and engage better in the classroom. Community partnerships play an important role in strengthening public education.”
In recent years, colder winters in parts of Gujarat have posed growing challenges for families from low-income backgrounds. For many students, attending school without proper winter clothing leads to frequent illness and missed classes. By addressing this basic yet critical need, the initiative supports broader efforts to improve attendance and learning outcomes.
A teacher from P.P. Ranchoddasji Maharaj Primary School shared her experience, saying, “During winter mornings, we often see children struggling with the cold, which affects their concentration. These sweaters will make a visible difference. When children feel warm and cared for, they walk into the classroom with confidence and ease.”
The distribution of winter wear will be carried out over the coming weeks with the support of community volunteers, education officers, and school authorities to ensure timely and organised delivery across all identified schools.
Warmth for Children is part of Project Rise, a global initiative of the Dawoodi Bohra community focused on education, healthcare, nutrition, and environmental well-being. By helping students stay warm through the winter months, the community aims to create the required conditions for consistent learning and stronger educational outcomes.
