A simple idea becomes a national movement of compassion and dignity. At the heart of it all is 47-year-old Nasir Thotha, a former migrant worker
MALAPPURAM – In a small village tucked away in Kerala’s Malappuram district, an extraordinary act of kindness has quietly transformed over 1,000 weddings. At the heart of it all is 47-year-old Nasir Thotha, a former migrant worker whose humble idea has blossomed into a movement of dignity, compassion, and community service.
For the past five years, Nasir has been running the Thotha Dress Bank, a first-of-its-kind initiative that provides free bridal gowns and wedding dresses to underprivileged women across India. To date, the bank has gifted wedding dresses to 1,028 brides, giving them not just clothes, but memories of a special day celebrated with pride.
Nasir traces the roots of his mission to his childhood. “I saw my mother helping people even when we had nothing ourselves,” he said. “That image stayed with me. This is not charity; it is simply doing what is right.”
After spending a decade in Saudi Arabia as a migrant worker, Nasir returned to his hometown in 2012 with a sense of purpose. “I had saved a little. But I didn’t want to start a business just to earn. I wanted to do something meaningful,” he said.
Back home, Nasir and a few friends began helping struggling families in small, practical ways — collecting rice for weddings, helping abandoned people reintegrate into society, and arranging temporary shelters for the homeless. Eventually, he opened a modest men’s clothing store, ‘Gentlemen’s World’, and took up taxi driving to make ends meet.
But even while driving, service remained his calling. “Whenever I saw a homeless man on the road, I’d stop the car, give him a bath, shave him, feed him, and take him to a shelter home,” he recalled. Over the years, Nasir has helped more than 100 homeless people find shelter and dignity.
It was during one such wedding support activity that Nasir realised how bridal dresses posed a huge financial burden on low-income families. “A few women asked if I could help arrange a bridal dress. I wanted to help, but I didn’t have the money,” he said.
That request sparked a simple yet powerful idea. “People spend tens of thousands on wedding dresses, wear them once, and then leave them in cupboards for years,” Nasir said. “Why not collect these beautiful, unused dresses and give them to those who can’t afford one?”
In 2020, with little knowledge of social media, Nasir asked a friend to help him post a message on Facebook, requesting donations of used bridal wear. “Initially, the response was slow. But then, something clicked. More people began to reach out. Donations came from neighbouring towns, then from across Kerala, and eventually from across India,” he said.
The first donated dress was given to a family in Palakkad, and the word spread quickly. Local newspapers took notice, and soon national and even international media highlighted the initiative. “That really changed everything,” Nasir said.
Initially, Nasir and his family managed the growing collection from their home. But as more dresses poured in, they shifted to a room at Thotha High School, which became the official base of the Thotha Dress Bank. Hundreds of bridal sarees, silver suits, and wedding gowns, dry-cleaned, ironed, and sorted, are now neatly displayed for families to choose from.
“These dresses range from Rs 6,000 to Rs 60,000 in original price. But here, they are free, absolutely free,” Nasir said. “We don’t sell anything. We don’t treat people like second-hand customers. We treat them with love and respect.”
Over the years, the process has been refined — yet remains rooted in trust and empathy. “Earlier, we gave dresses to anyone who asked,” Nasir said. “But as numbers grew, we started asking for a referral letter from a local mosque, church, or temple. It’s just to ensure the need is genuine.”
Even then, he says they do not insist if the family feels uncomfortable. “Some people hesitate to ask out of self-respect. We try to understand their heart. We trust people.”
Once a request is received — often through WhatsApp or text messages — Nasir shares pictures of available dresses. After a selection is made, the dress is couriered to the bride’s home, often hundreds of kilometres away.
In an age of social media selfies and charity promotions, the Thotha Dress Bank maintains strict confidentiality. “We don’t post photos of beneficiaries. We don’t ask for public thanks. No one comes here for fame,” Nasir explained. “It’s all done quietly, with dignity. Even the registration process is respectful and easy.”
Nasir’s efforts extend beyond bridal dresses. His initiative also offers free ambulance services, wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and drinking water facilities to the disabled. He has also introduced a taxi rental service in Wayanad to promote road safety and generate funds for the cause.
At the core of all this is a spirit of community support. Nasir is not backed by a large NGO or a political party. His team includes local volunteers — shopkeepers, tailors, and homemakers — all united by the desire to serve.
Earlier this year, the initiative celebrated its fifth anniversary with a special event attended by Kerala Minister V Abdul Rahman and other community leaders. “It was a moment of pride — but also a reminder of how far we have to go,” Nasir said.
The number 1,028 isn’t just a statistic — each dress represents a family relieved, a bride celebrated, and a community uplifted.
Despite the overwhelming goodwill, the project now faces financial constraints. Nasir estimates he needs about Rs 3 lakh to expand the dress bank’s operations and improve logistics. “We’re running out of space and need better storage and courier support,” he said. “We also want to include groom suits, children’s outfits, and entire wedding kits.”
Yet Nasir remains hopeful. “People have always come forward to help. When you do good with sincerity, Allah opens doors.”
Residents of Thotha village speak with admiration about Nasir’s efforts. Shameer Ali, a nearby shopkeeper, said, “In our village, Nasir Bhai is known as a man who gives without asking anything in return. We are proud of him.”
Suhana, one of the brides who received a gown from the dress bank, shared, “I didn’t have the money to buy a wedding dress. When I wore the gown from Nasir Bhai’s bank, I felt like a princess. I will never forget his kindness.”
At its heart, Nasir’s work is a testament to the power of one person’s will to make a difference. With no formal funding, institutional backing, or personal wealth, he has managed to build an initiative that now spans the country.
“There are millions of people who want to help, but don’t know how,” Nasir said. “Sometimes, you just have to take the first step. Everything else will follow.”
