A Fistful of Rice to Feed the Hungry
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The research scholars of Loyola College of Social Sciences at Sreekariyam are spreading smiles with a fistful of paddy. And by the time they sit for the sumptuous ‘sadya’ at their homes this Thiruvonam day, the satisfaction of filling many empty plates will have soothed their minds. Befittingly named ‘Oru Pidi Ariyum Oru Para Chiriyum’, a campaign to feed the hungry bellies kicked off by the team is going on in a steadfast manner.
“During last Christmas, we had a ‘Share My Cake Challenge’ where we reached out to 400 patients in Medical College hospital with a slice of cake for each. So this time for Onam, the students themselves put forward the idea to serve food to the needy and began the ground works for it. The fund raising programme to meet the target they have set is already on,” said college vice principal Fr Ranjit I George. By word of mouth, the campaign has breached the boundaries of the college and reached the ears of many generous minds in other colleges and schools too. “Our strategy is to feed lunch to 101 people living on the streets for two days. The 15 girl inmates of the Welfare Society for the Visually Challenged in the city will be provided with Onam kits worth Rs 500 or Rs 550. There are 10 to 15 kits for the palliative care patients.
By the time the college closes for Onam holidays on August 21 we wish to hit the target,” says Praveen Varghese, a research scholar. In the coming days, students from Loyola School maybe roped in. Those who wish to join in and make contributions may connect to the organisers on the official page of the Loyola College at https://www.facebook.com/loyola.trivandrum.9.