Daijiworld Media Network—Chikmagalur (RD/CN)
Chikmagalur, Apr 2: “Malnad Christians Development Association was founded in 2004 with the support and encouragement of Ronald Colaco, president, International Federation of Karnataka Christian Association. The Association has been engaged in promoting the social welfare of the Christian community, extending financial help, inter-religious harmony and national brotherhood,” said secretary Michael Baptist.
Addressing media persons at a press conference held here recently, Baptist offered the services of the ‘dead body freezer box’ donated by IFKCA president Ronald Colaco and coffee planter Ronald Mascarenhas at a cost of Rs 1.5 lac to the society.
He said that since the past five years, the Association has been undertaking services to transport dead bodies to the cemetery or crematoriums regardless of caste, creed, or religion, and at times the services are sought by the police.
“The Association distributed rice, wheat, coffee powder, jaggery, biscuits, and clothes worth Rs 1.25 lac personally to the flood victims in Uttara Karnataka,” added Baptist.
“It has set up theChristian Vividoddesha Sahakara Sangh here two years ago with the help of the Christian community for the benefit of all categories of people in the society,” he added.
“A ‘Passport Mela’ was held two months ago in co-ordination with the postal department for the benefit of the general public. About 120 people had benefited from this. The Association has been conferred with ‘Vratti Chaitanya Ratna’, during the mega religious programme held at Rambhapuri Mutt, Balehonnur, two months ago in recognition of its social service since the past seven years,” stressed Baptist.
“It has organized a free health check-up camp recently under the aegis of Holy Cross Hospital at St Joseph’s Church hall. Nearly 125 people participated in the camp and free medicines were distributed to the poor patients. Thirty-eight branches of IFKCA are already actively functioning across the state and there are plans to reach 115 branches. IFKCA president Ronald Colaco has been working in this regard,” added Baptist.
Malnad Christian Development Association president Sanju, vice-president Robin Moses, secretary Francis, former secretary James D’Souza, and treasurer Felix Sequeira were present at the press conference.