Making a Difference! ‘DK Students Mithun Rai Fan Club’ Youth Feed the Needy & Stray Dogs
Mangaluru: Quoting Matthew 25:40 in Bible, where Jesus says, “Whatever you have done to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you have done it to me. “One really does matter. You can help the needy around you in practical, creative ways. And this is exactly what a bevy of youngsters belonging to the Dakshina Kannada Mithun Rai (President of D K Youth Congress) Fan Club, have been doing to help the less fortunate and the needy with love, right now during the lockdown to contain Covid-19. “You may never know what results come of your action, But if you do nothing, there will be no result. The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems” had said Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa once said, “We cannot do great things on this Earth, Only small things with great love.”
And that’s what these Youth are doing in the time of distress and COVID-19 pandemic. Citizens of Mangaluru should encourage these Youth by joining them and lending support. They are trying hard to make a difference in the lives of the needy in the community, especially during this pandemic, where many migrant workers and low wage labourers are suffering, with no income. So far, this Team has distributed food to more than 8000 people in and around Mangaluru, since their start date, 13 days ago. The initiative was taken up by Primus Mario D’Souza, who just completed his Bachelors in Hotel Management at Milagres Degree College, Mangaluru. He is joined by his friends, namely-Alfaz Hameed, Arfak, Priston, Rishanth, Lohith, Ravi, Arun, among others- and together they have all made a difference in the society through their service to humanity and stray animals.
This Team have been distributing Food, Water, Tea, Biscuits to the needy people across Mangaluru City during this lockdown. When no arrangements are made to provide tea/coffee and snacks to the police personnel on duty, this Team has come forward to serve the police on duty with tea and snacks. Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Primus D’Souza said, “The main motive behind this is to inspire young minds to join hands to eradicate hunger. Thousands of people are struggling for food due to the Corona Lockdown. After seeing the plight of migrant workers and the needy in the City as they lack food, we decided to feed them lunch daily. Funds for all the expenses, which comes around Rs 10,000 daily has been pooled in by Team members, and from our well-wishers and friends- and also my dad, Philip D’Souza, who owns ‘Prince Caterers’ sponsors the food.”
“We have been giving lunch packets for nearly 500 people everyday, comprising of Rice, daal/sambar, vegetable dish, Pickle and sometimes egg dish, to beggars/poor people on streets, and to nearly 400 people living in the Thanirbhavi area. Some of them have been living in boats for days, who are migrants. We see that they don’t go to bed hungry during the lockdown. We also distribute food packets to the needy in Car Street, Kadri Park, Bejai, Urwa and few other locations in the City. We have also been distributing water, and tea along with snacks (buns or samosa) to the real heroes, the Mangaluru police, who are serving the society, patrolling the streets throughout the day, in the hot summer weather. We need to ensure that they too get quality food during this critical situation,” added Primus.
It’s not only the humans that are facing hunger during this lockdown, but there are hundreds of stray animals, especially the dogs who are starving – and this Team has also fed the homeless animals. Primus says, “Human beings can ask someone to provide them food, but these poor animals cannot. While all the shops and restaurants these animals used to depend for food are closed, they are now left without food. And therefore we decided to feed a bunch of these stray animals daily, which we are proud of, after all, dogs are considered to be Man’s Best Friends! We also request the public in case they want to help us in our efforts; they can do so. If anyone needs food necessities they can contact me at 8971511173”.
In conclusion, speaking about the DK Students Mithun Rai Fan Club’ Youth, they are making a difference with their generosity and service. God has given us two hands-one to receive, and one to give. And this has been the initiative of this energetic and young Team, where they are helping the needy during this pandemic. What a nice concept and gesture from these Youth! The Team has created a compassionate heart among the Youth, and they have become conscious of the downtrodden. It’s nice to note that the members of this Club are doing yeomen service to the community.
And if their mentors and elders have taught them anything, it is to lean onto the spaces that are life-giving and risky, unwilling and painful, tender, yet blessed! I praise these young masses of the Club, which is trying immensely in their passion and drive in their service to the society- to help people in times of distress and hardship, under the leadership of Primus D’Souza. The efforts of the Team in helping out the society during the time of this pandemic through this little contribution while still young is praiseworthy. May God bless them for what they are all doing. And I bet their Mentor and Hero, Mithun Rai, is proud of his YOUNG HEROES!
