Pics: Anush Pandith

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Aug 15: Ashok Nagara Yuvaka Sangha celebrated the 72nd Independence Day of India by distributing wheelchairs, bicycles, medical aid, and uniforms to 92 children and clothes to senior citizens. The programme was held at Ashok Nagara Higher Primary School auditorium on Wednesday, August 15.

Joseph Mathias, NRI entrepreneur and managing director of Merit Freight Systems presided over the programme. Philomena Henry D’Souza, retired teacher, Al Diyafa School, Dubai, inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp. Santhosh Joy Misqith, managing partner, Skipper Ltd, Sunder Shetty, proprietor, Golden Falcon Enterprises, B Nagesh Karkera, honorary president, Ashok Nagara Yuvaka Sangha, Shankar N Poonja, president, Ashok Nagara Yuvaka Sangha, and Nirmala Geeta D’Souza were present.

Addressing the gathering, Joseph Mathias said, “Independence Day reminds us how our ancestors fought against British. Because of their sacrifice, today we are living freely and we are standing our own feet. Now it is our duty to remember the freedom fighters. We have to be united to protect our freedom.

“I want to remember late Henry D’Souza who left this world a few months ago. Henry was a part of our programmes for the last twenty years. Every year, he had attended this Independence Day programme and distributed aid to poor. Apart from being a businessman, he was a good social worker. His vision and ideas are model for us. So in the upcoming years, we should donate something to poor by his name also,” he said.

Philomena Henry D’Souza said, “On the occasion of Independence Day, Ashok Nagar Yuvaka Sangha have organised this programme. They have not limited their celebration to hoisting the flag and distributing sweets. They have come forward to wipe the tears of poor and disabled. With the help of entrepreneurs and NRI donors, they distributed necessary goods and financial help to the needy. This is the real celebration and I am happy to be a part of it.

“Ashok Nagar Yuvaka Sangha has engaged in social service from many years. For their dedicated service, they were recognized as the best youth club in the district by the government. I hope that they continue to serve the needy in future as well,” she said.

On behalf of the beneficiaries and locals, the members of Ashok Nagar Yuvaka Sangha felicitated Joseph Mathias and acknowledged his social service work and charity.