Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (VP)

Mangaluru, Aug 13: The ministry of youth affairs and sports Nehru Youth Center Mangaluru, in collaboration with Ashoknagar Yuvaka Sangha, celebrated Independence Day by distributing school uniforms, clothes for senior citizens, wheelchairs, medical care, bicycles, and sewing machines. These contributions were made by Joseph Mathias in memory of his late parents, Lawrence and Mary Mathias, on Thursday, August 13, at the Ashoknagar Senior Primary School Auditorium.

The event was presided over by Joseph Mathias, managing director of Merit Freight Systems Co LLC, Dubai, UAE, and Merit Freight Systems Co Pvt Ltd, Mangaluru. Mathias expressed his gratitude and said, "I wish everyone a Happy Independence Day. The Ashoknagar Yuva Sangha's emblem stands for health, education, and cleanliness, and we collaborate with people to help them in their lives. Every year, on the occasion of Independence Day, I come to contribute to society by providing for their basic needs. I extend heartfelt thanks to all the Ashoknagar Yuva Sangha members."

The chief guest of the occasion, B Padmanabha Amin, former corporator of Mangaluru City Corporation, said, "The Yuva Sangha has decided to provide for the needy by distributing uniforms and other necessities. Independence Day is for the whole nation, and on this day, we should remember those who sacrificed their lives. We must do our best to uphold this independence, solve people's problems, and encourage and support the Ashoknagar Yuva Sangha to organize more programmes like this."

The chief Inaugurator of the event, Raymond D’Cunha, editor-in-chief of Pingara, remarked, "This is the second time I have witnessed the generosity of Joseph Mathias. Gandhi, when traveling to Bengaluru, always chose third-class coaches and would only consider moving to first class when everyone in the country could. Joseph Mathias is a kind-hearted person whose parents endured much hardship. We often say children are our future, but they are also our present. Joseph Mathias' work not only brings happiness but also provides opportunities for others to grow. We should always engage in work that positively impacts people, and we should keep our youthfulness alive in our hearts."

Speaking on the occasion, James Mendonca, managing director of Reliable Fabricators LLC, Dubai, UAE, stated, "We had to fight for our independence, and to fight poverty, we must work hard. Our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for us, and we should always remember their contributions. Joseph Mathias is helping people by providing the necessary things for a better life."

Also present at the event were Fr Gerald Lobo, Joseph Lobo (president, AYS), B Vasanth Kumar (general secretary), Naveen Kumar (treasurer), Balakrishna Devadiga, Vasant Kumar (secretaries), Prabhakar S, Niranjan (vice presidents), Prashant R (sports secretary), Dayananda Shetty, and committee members Ritesh Kumar, Nitin Mada, Srinivas Karkera, and Damodar Shetty, among others.