Sohail Yasin Sawani - President, Dhoraji Memon Jamat Surat. A man with a Mission !

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”

― Audre Lorde

Sohail Yasin Sawani who moved to Surat in 1999 has today earned a reputation in the field of law. Today Sohail is the President of Dhoraji Memon Jamat-Surat (DMJ-SURAT) and has achieved tremendous success as its leader.

Sohail started his labour &industrial law advisory at Udhna in the year 2004. He was welcomed by various trade & commerce, industries, professional and academic platforms when he started sharing knowledge in 2015. He was invited to be a part of Surat Municipal Corporation’s legal panel and the Surat Police Department has sought his legal opinion on labour laws. He has also been nominated by the Cyber Security Department of Gujarat Police for public awareness. Presently, he is one of the leading labour law advisors in Gujarat rendering services throughout India using his professional network.

Different forums of state and central ministries of labour & employment have solicited Sohail’s advise. His legal acumen is well recognized by all appropriate forums, while representing clients from varied industries, trade and commerce. Besides this he often provides advise on appropriate amendment/s required within the prevailing law(s) and act(s).

In 2020, Sohail established his own academic Institute at Dumas Road to imparteducation and training in labour laws & skill development. During the pandemic, Sohail had joined the Rehmani Parivaar to help feedmigrant workers leaving the city during Lockdown-1.

Although Sohail has never engaged in its activities, looking at all these achievements, in 2021, DMJ-SURAT suggested that he should go for presidential election of the organization. The Memon community, known for business acumen has its presence in almost 40 countries. DMJ-SURAT was established in 1980, when few Memon families migrated from Dhoraji (Rajkot) to Surat. The object of DMJ-SURAT being community upliftment, it started social service in the segments such as housing, education, marriage, health, widow pension, dry ration and arbitration for domestic violence. Since its inception DMJ-SURAT’s Presidents and their teams have relentlessly worked for the community. Presently, it has around 15000 members in Surat, majority of them from Adajan Patiya.

Sohail did not immediately accept DMJ-SURAT’s proposal as he wanted to serve people irrespective of caste; creed or religion. However, later he contested the election and succeed uncontested as President of DMJ-Surat. Sohail selected few young professionals in his managing team and sought professional help from Business Multiplication Coach Aslam Charania. Within a month, a vision with action plan for the next three years was shared by Sohail and his team.

DMJ-Surat has formed the Mutton Bank, donated generously for Maharashtra flood. The community celebrated 75thIndependence Day. It conducted Tree Plantation drive by DCP Smt. Panna Momaya, Around 230 letters were drafted and delivered to donors and social workers. DMJ-SURAT also conducted a Campaign for Cleanliness, Awareness regarding Swachhta App, installed Sadaqah Box in every residential society, set up a helpdesk for affordable housing, helped with medical cards, and also worked for career counselling, digital marketing, IT & finance, Govt and private scholarships for education. DMJ-Surat has started collecting data from every community member to form a directory so as to decide on area of action. A delegation of 50 businessmen gathered on the trade platform at SGCCI on 21st August,2021 while a Hijama Camp has been planned on 28th Aug,2021.

Currently, the DMJ-SURAT office is coming up with a Multipurpose Hall with Computer Lab to be used for counselling and education. Around 90 participants can avail benefits of these resources. It is also hiring business consultants for wealth creation. The DMJ-SURAT is planning for developing a school of International standard. It is also in process of identifying and adopting students for higher education too. Pre and post wedding courses are being designed for girl. Also, the community is making counselling compulsory before marriage to avoid conflicts after marriage.

In first week of September this year DMJ-SURAT is organizing its first ever Business Conclave at Surat along with a session on ‘Youth Leadership and 21st Century’.