KOCHI: As a noble initiative, Infopark Kakkanad, has collected more than three tons of rice through Rice Bucket Challenge for being distributed to a tribal community.
A press release from the Infopark stated that Rice Bucket Challenge was a big hit among employees of the various IT companies functioning at Infopark.
Two-third of the rice was donated to people at the tribal settlements in Kuttampuzha panchayat, Kothamangalam, on Wednesday and . around 200 Muthuva tribal families at Urulanthanni in Kuttampuzha panchayat benefitted by it. The remaining rice would be distributed to another tribal settlement soon. Rice Bucket Challenge which started on September 5 was held for two weeks at Infopark.
The programme was inaugurated by P H Kurian, Principal Secretary, Industries and IT, during the Onam celebrations. IT companies operating at Infopark Kochi and its satellite centre in Thrissur participated in the challenge. Hrishikesh Nair, Chief Executive Officer, Infopark, flagged off the van bound for Kuttampuzha tribal settlement on Wednesday.
“The Rice Bucket campaign has struck a chord will all across the country due to its charitable appeal. The Infopark will provide all possible support to such humanitarian initiatives,” said Hrishikesh Nair. P K Jayalakshmi, Minister for Welfare of Backward Communities, extended full support for the initiative.
George Maliekkal, Tribal Extension Officer of Idamalayar and Moosa Ayakkodan, Tribal Development Officer, were present while distributing rice at the settlement at Urulanthanni.
The Rice Bucket Challenge is the Indian version of the popular ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Inspired by the ice bucket challenge, a Hyderabad-based woman journalist came up with the Rice Bucket Challenge wherein people are asked to donate as much rice as they wish to a needy person, post a picture with them on a social networking site, and nominate four others to attempt the challenge.