Hyderabad: Social activist Syed Osman Azhar Maqsusi has been selected for the 27th Yudhvir Foundation Memorial Award.
The award is being given to Maqsusi in recognition of his dedication to uplifting the lives of people in marginalised communities by feeding the hungry, the Yudhvir Foundation announced in a press release today.
Nizamabad MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha will present the Award on April 30 at a function at KLN Prasad Auditorium, FTAPCCI Bhavan in Red Hills. The award includes a citation and cash award of Rs.1 lakh.
Syed Osman Azhar Magsusi was only 4 years old when his auto driver father passed away. His mother struggled to care for Azhar and his three siblings.
He gave up his studies at the age of 10 and took up odd jobs so that he could support his family. In 2001 he started a plaster of Paris unit which remains his only source of income even today.
A stray encounter with a hungry woman led Azhar to start his campaign to feed hungry persons in 2012. This has grown into a daily food camp for over 150 hungry mouths.
In October 2015 he set up the NGO Sani Welfare Foundation to carry the work further. Inspired by his example and sometimes aided by him, free food programmes for over 1,000 people have come up in different cities across India in coordination with local trusts and authorities. Free clinic, free educational academy and a free tailoring centre for needy women have also been set up.
His selfless perseverance has made dramatic changes in the lives of those he has helped and he remains an inspiration to us all, the press release added. (INN)