Mangalore: The Government of India promulgated Lockdown on 20th March 2020 on account of Covid-19 pandemic. This lockdown resulted in the total closure of transport, shops, companies, offices, schools and restricted all the movements.
The life of daily wage earners and casual labourers was very badly affected all over the country. Similar was the case in Mangaluru. During lockdown the Bishop requested all the Parish Priests and Parish Pastoral Councils to take care of the poor people in their working area. Hence local donors were inspired to reach out to the poor.
As regards to CODP, during this period, we have done (are doing) two kinds of activities. One is providing food kits and second one is occupying the children constructively during the time of lockdown.
CODP was in touch with Mr Guruprasad, the Tahsildar of Mangaluru Taluk who requested us to reach out to poor people with food kits to daily wage earners and migrant labourers. He sent his officers to CODP to take food kits to Gurpur, Paduperar, Kaikamba, Bellare, Bajal and Sunkadakatte (near Urwa Stores).
Later on various parishes were helped.Some of the parishes helped arePermannur, Eliarpadav, Ranipur, Kulur, Shaktinagar, Sullia, Thokur, Bolkunje, Maril and Belthangady deanery etc. Salethur, Delanthabettu and Peruvai are in the pipeline. Many local people also came to CODP seeking help and were helped. As per our records, so far 762 families have been helped with food kits. The food kits consisted of mainly rice, potatoes, onions and dhal. One parish was lucky enough to get wheat flour as well. Food Corporation of India as per the directives of NITI Aayog has recently made available par boiled rice at a lower rate ie Rs.22.33 per Kg (incl. Cess and GST).
Some religious houses have co-operated with CODP by contributing their mite. Religious priests of Sneha Sadan (Fr Teji) gave us food grains/kits, Infant Mary Convent Jeppu donated Rs 5,000/-, Spandana Trust donated Rs 5,000/-, Family Service Centre C/o Roshini Nilaya donated Rs 10,000/- and Daughters of Sacred Heart of Mary gave R, 20,000/-. Milagres College gave 50 food kits, Caritas India donated Rs.1,00,000/ and CASK (Catholic Association of South Kanara) donated us Rs.50,000/.
Thus items wise; 7950 kg rice, 25 kg wheat flour, 650 kg Tur dhal, 1630 kg potato, 1270 kg onions were donated so far.
Second programme was to pay attention to the children of the Diocese who are confined to homes during lockdown. With the help of Codialbail Press and YCS, we have launched a programme called “Lock & Rock”, a four week-long programme which will occupy the children with various programmes enriching them spiritually and intellectually. A team of priests and lay persons is entrusted to conduct this programme. The response of children and families have been encouraging. Attractive prizes are available. The rules, details and results of this programme are available in the website www.dioceseofmangalore.org
We do not know how long this lockdown will last. We feel that we need to support the vulnerable groups with whatever way possible with the available sources. We are highly grateful to our donors who have come forward of their own to collaborate with us.
Our Bishop Most Rev Peter Paul Saldanha has been in the forefront of relief works ever since this pandemic began. We highly appreciate his tremendous love for the poor and marginalized. He himself calls the Parish Priests and enquires the status of relief works in their respective parishes. CODP keeps on updating him every day regarding the relief works. CODP is grateful to his guidance and encouragement.
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