KOCHI: The country's first 'Food Security Market' set up by Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam - the charity outfit started by the Anna-Kitex Group - at Kizhakkambalam panchayat on Friday was inaugurated by Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.Gadkari told the gathering Twenty20 was a role model for the entire country where several people did not have access to basic amenities even now. The minister also announced projects worth `42 crore for the development of roads in and around Kizhakkambalam. He appreciated the Anna-Kitex Group's efforts in serving the public and invited more people to follow the path of corporate social responsibility(CSR). BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said he was happy to be part of the event.
"I feel proud and happy when I stand here and address the huge gathering. Kizhakkambalam is a role model and will soon become the most ideal panchayat in India," he said.Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam and BJP state secretary A N Radhakrishnan also hailed the service rendered by the organisation. As part of the inauguration a provision kit was given to an underprivileged family. "With a permanent building in place, we have decided to add other essential household commodities at discounted prices,” said Sabu M Jacob, chief coordinator of Twenty 20 Kizhakkambalam and managing director of Kitex Garments Ltd.
Sabu said during the festival season, when the prices of vegetables, fruits and other groceries shoot up, Twenty20 provides all these items at heavily discounted rates making the occasion more joyous.Twenty20 has a quality control team to check the quality of the products before they are supplied to people. Around 65,000 people in the Kizhakkambalam panchayat will rely on the Food Security Market for their daily needs.
Free protein rich food will be provided by the organisation to 500 pregnant women and feeding mothers and 1,500 children below the age of 6. More than 300 indigent families and 1,500 families, who provided land for the development of roads, will be provided item free of cost. The market also provides employment opportunity to the people.Kannanthanam presided over the inaugural function attended by Joseph Mor Gregorious Metropolitan, Abraham Mor Severios and the residents of Kizhakkambalam panchayat.