Udaipur, Dec 20, 2025: In general, the word revolution is linked to a violent uprooting of a current system or establishment. However, a deep and lasting transformation in social thinking, is also a revolutionary step. Late Qamruddin Bhai Mavliwala was one of those in the Dawoodi Bohra community of Udaipur, who brought about a profound paradigm shift in society through selfless social service, education and reform. 

Those who lead change in set ideas or indulge in social work are generally visible on public platforms but Qamruuddin bhai kept himself away from the limelight and did his work silently, away from the limelight and dedicated a significant part of his life to the upliftment of his community.

I have known him doing social service since childhood and first orbserved him as a part of progressive thinkers in 1960s. From 1991, I had the privilege of working alongside him. I feel that it is my duty to highlight the immense contributions made by this departed soul for his community and for society in general.

Born on July 15, 1930 in a middle class joint family, Qamruddin bhai did his schooling as per the norms of that time and joined his father and other brothers in their family’s traditional business. Bohras were largely a trading community of petty businesses. Generally, all the male members of a joint family used to participate in their hereditary trade in the same shop. So the profit from the trade per capita will be proportional to the number of male members. Accordingly, in those days, they hardly tried to diversify or indulge in higher education or seek services in public and private sectors. This model suffered more in post independence period when after the partition refugees from Punjab and Sindh came to Udaipur leading to communal riots amidst population shifts. Many businesses where Bohras had the upper hand were taken over by the refugees. All this resulted in financial downfall of Bohras and they had to sell their lands and bungalows to meet their requirements.

Under these conditions, Qamruddin bhai, with few other like minded community members formed a society by the name Saif Imdadia Committee. Imdad means help. Its aim was to encourage Bohras to propulgate higher education among their children so that they too could join the mainstream and seek jobs and participate in competitive examinations.     

The committee started giving free books, scholarships, and tuition fees for those who needed and introduced cash awards and gold medals for outstanding candidates. In a very short time a revolutionary change took place. 100 percent literacy in the Dawoodi Bohra society, leading to young men and women ready to take any white colour job; they were visible everywhere, be it engineering, medical, law, accountancy, journalism and even the armed forces.

This educational revolution also led to a shift in the community’s business mindset - expansion and diversion in the business model. Qamruddin bhai himself boldly left his family business and started a new venture and showed that a determined mind with new ideas can change one's fortunes.

Thus this step of change in attitude of a community - hard pressed to meet its minimum requirements, became a prosperous community once again.

This was a yeoman service rendered by Qamruddin bhai as member of a group of right thinking men. Unfortunately the committee was dissolved on the eve of Bohra Youth Reform movement in 1973. However, all the members of the committee joined the reformist group. The reformists then formed the Student Welfare Society to propulgate distribution of free books and tuitions, opened two public schools, started a cooperative bank, trusts and other institutions to keep the initiatives of Imdadia alive in good and working shape. Qamruddin bhai was also active at the ground level in giving direction to these initiatives. He also gave his services as a member of the Board of Directors of The Udaipur Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd.

The other constructive work for which Qamruddin Bhai will be remembered is the active lead role he played in providing various amenities and services for the residents of Kharol Colony and adjoining areas, where he and members of his community live. This he did by forming yet another society comprising of the resident households of Kharol colony and adjoining areas. Under this umbrella, roads, drainage system, road light poles, water pipe lines, community centre and garden were built over a period of two decades from 1991 onwards. He remained active in these activities till he breathed his last, maintaining an illustrious record of social service, but never sought the lime light and remained a silent worker.

The reformist Bohras, recognised his contributions to their welfare measures and honoured him during the All World Dawoodi Bohra Conference in 2011.

Today, as the community mourns his loss, his legacy continues to inspire generations. A silent worker, a visionary reformer, and a true servant of society—Rest in Peace, Qamruddin Bhai, in your heavenly abode.

This Obituary has been contributed by Haji Mansoor Ali Bohra (Retd. Commander, Indian Navy, and Chairman of the Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community)