B P Moideen Seva Mandir, a social service centre and a memorial of the immortalised love of a Hindu girl for a Muslim youth, which has been empowering destitute women for the past 26 years, will soon get a new leash of life in the form of a new building in Mukkam, Kozhikode.
Kanchanamala, who leads the life of a widow of Moideen, with whom she had never tied the knot, voluntarily started the seva mandir in a building which was formerly owned by Moideen in 1987. Moideen died in a river mishap in 1982. Though the adamant stand taken by her relatives forced her to take the legal route to retain the seva mandir, after reaching a compromise, she is planning to set up the centre in a 8.7 cent plot in Mukkam, Kozhikode, itself. With a confident look in her eyes, she says, “For me this centre is precious as it was a dream project of Moideen. His life was secondary to him when it came to the welfare of others,” she says.
“I am looking forward to the construction of a permanent building for the seva mandir,” says Kanchanamala, holding the replica of the mandir close to her bosom. Educationally and financially backward women in and around Mukkam, Kozhikode are the beneficiaries of the seva mandir. Earlier, seven vocational classes, including tailoring, fashion designing, electronics and communication were conducted in the old building. “After the inauguration of the new building, we will start computer courses for women,” she says with determination.
Kanchana, who was addressed as Jahanara (Queen of Universe) in Moideen’s love letters, says, “I have nothing in my hand, except the model of the seva mandir sanctioned by Mukkam panchayat. But, I hope that generous contributors will help me to accomplish my mission,” she says, while thanking the overwhelming support of people across the state. In the newly-designed model of the three-storeyed building, there will be space for voluntary organisations to function normally. “I can sense the difficulty that such organisations face without getting a place to formulate their plans. With the completion of the construction works, senior citizens in the region will also get a room to spend their leisure time,” she says. Kanchana believes that she has miles to go before she sleeps.
“A souvenir on Moideen will be released at a function slated to be held in Kozhikode on January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji,” she says.