R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (EP)

Karkala, Jan 30: In a heart-warming gesture, Rs 9.10 lac and food packets contributed by devotees during the three-day feast of St Lawrence in Attur here were distributed among the needy on Friday, January 30.

While innumerable persons in need were seen going in groups towards the shrine since morning, by afternoon their numbers increased even more and they could be found everywhere in the surroundings.

They included the physically/mentally challenged, the weak, women, men, old people, children and others. They had gathered irrespective of language, caste or creed.

The acutely physically/mentally challended were given Rs 2,000, partly physically/mentally challended Rs 1,500, ascetics Rs 500 and the weak were given Rs 200 each. The management of the church had banned alms to healthy men and children below 14 years of age. Only food packets were given to them.

Parish priest Fr George D’Souza, secretary Santhosh D’Silva, John D’Souza, Nakre George, Prakash Pinto and others were present.