HISTORY OF CHHIPA

According to the “Balwa Pothy” Chhipa came from Jesalmer and resided in Nagor.

Before the Samvat Year 1291, all Chhipas were Hindus.

In the Samvat Year 1291, when Firozshah Taghalakh of Takhlakh lineage was on throne of Delhi, all the Chhipas had adopted Islam in Nagor sharif.

PEAK TIME OF CHHIPAS Chhipa’s screen print and block print work

was highly appreciated for a long time.It is said that in early times of Chhipas, well

known emperor of his time, King Akbar has also praised the work of Chhipas.

PEAK TIME OF CHHIPASAs Chhipas were the experts at the art of

screen & block print, it became the main source of their survival.

Mills & “Karkhanas” were established by Chhipas; and most of the man power was used to promote the same kind of work.

Ahmedabad once became the “Manchester of India” because of the clothing industries and huge contribution of Chhipas.

LOST FOCUS FROM OTHER BASICS

Education – “Bhan-namu kino faydo huwo hai”

No or limited education for girlsLess interest in search for a better lifeLimited themselves within the “Chhipawad

Territories”Very little curiosity about their Legal Rights.

GOT HIT BY CHANGING TIMEThings changed – Printing work collapsed or

gone elsewhere.Left behind in other careers

Lack of education & motivation.

Never wanted to come out of their typical “Chhipawad” mentality.

Discrimination against Muslims in India was & has been a negative factor on top of everything else.

SOME EXCEPTIONS:THOSE WHO EXPLORED OUT

Alhamdo-Lillah, some Chhipas like us here had the opportunity to explore out side the Chhipawad boundries.

They went all over the world including USA, Canada, Australia, Middle East…

They were able to have a better life style for themselves and their families.

They are doing their part individually to support their families based in Chhipawad.

They came to better understanding of true Islam.

THE KIND OF EFFORTS NEEDED

Alhamdo-Lillah, we are all doing whatever we can to support our own families back home in Chhipawad.

COLLECTIVE and ONGOING effort from all of us here to achieve bigger and better goals is needed.

We also strongly need to change our mindset of not being able to bring the much needed change in Chhipawad by concluding that nothing can be done about it.

PROJECTS:TO BE ACHIEVED

Higher Education for our Youth.More and more Science students and

facilities to accommodate them.English Speaking and Computer Classes.Upliftment of Girls’ Education and Women

Rights.Awareness of our Constitutional Rights. Encourage people to get out and explore the

world. Very importantly, teach proper way of Islam.

WHAT WE DID COLLECTIVELY!!!Established the Chhipa Foundation of

America.Got all Chhipas together as part of this

convention so everybody is aware of the work that needs to be done.

Already launched our first project in Chhipawad by Publishing & Distributing “Know Your Legal Rights” books translated into Gujarati.

WHAT WE DID COLLECTIVELY!!!Invited social workers from India like Amrish

Mishra who is working for Muslims in India, specifically in Gujarat.

Started $1 a day Project.Striving constantly to involve more and more

Chhipas to the work.

WHAT’S NEEDED OF YOU!!!First of All, Your DU’AS are needed at all

times.Financial support.Voluntary support.Suggestions concerning the betterment of

Chhipa community based in Chhipawad.Any help and support which you think is

beneficial for this cause.

JAZAK-ALLAH KHAIR FOR COMING!