Mangalore Diocese being Good Samaritan in Aiding Kerala Flood Victims

Mangalore Diocese being Good Samaritan in Aiding Kerala Flood Victims

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’- Matthew 25:35-36 in Bible

Mangaluru: Kerala’s most savage monsoon in a century has killed 324 people over the last nine days, and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has issued a fresh rain alert for the battered state. Until now it is estimated that over two lakh people have been displaced. The state, battling floods and landslides has plunged deeper into crisis yesterday, with hospitals facing shortage of oxygen and fuel stations running dry. Rescue efforts have been progressing on a war footing and PM Narendra Modi has already made an aerial survey of the worst affected districts, and has assured of quick help. Desperate non-resident Keralites from Australia, the US and the UK have been pleading with authorities, seeking help for their families.

A tweet from Kerala CM read, “Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. 80 dams opened, 324 lives lost and 223139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps. Till now, 42 Navy, 16 Army, 28 Coast Guard and 39 National Disaster Relief Force teams were engaged in rescue operations. Another 14 NDRF teams are expected to reach shortly. The military has pushed in more than 200 boats. Another four aircraft and three Coast Guard ships have also been brought in. In some areas, airlifting is the only option … thousands are still marooned, and we are sending 11 more helicopters to the worst-hit places. All districts apart from Kasaragod are under red alert. The Meteorological Department warns that heavy rains may affect these 13 districts.”

And locally, here in Mangaluru, many Keralites who are either students studying in various educational institutions, entrepreneurs and others are also facing the brunt of this flood situation that has affected their family members, relatives and friends. And many organizations having members of Kerala origin are working hard to raise funds for their people back home affected by this deadly monsoon. And one such organization is the Karnataka Nair Service Society, who had earlier planned an Onam celebration on Sunday, 19 August has decided to cancel it, and instead have decided to utilize the entire amount which could have used for this celebration, towards the relief efforts in Kerala flood-affected regions.

The Secretary of the Society, Ajith Kumar S speaking to Team Mangalorean said, ” We are in desperate need of many household items for all these people affected in the Kerala floods like kitchen utensils, blankets, towels, chairs, tables, bed sheets, soaps, personal items etc and food items like Milk powder, water, sugar, biscuits, and other basic ingredients needed for cooking. The Indian Coast Guard has come forward to airlift essential supplies to be supplied to the distressed people of Kerala. Your help is very much solicited in this respect and will be greatly appreciated”.

Following on the words in the Bible by Mathew, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”, The Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza has also come up with an effective initiative to help the flood victims in Kerala by collecting funds from the faithful for this noble cause. The Bishop has humbly requested the Catholic Faithful to be generous and contribute as much as they can, and has also requested the Churches to collect contributions also during Sunday Mass. The Bishop has also offered prayers for the souls of people who have perished in the calamities and conveyed his condolences to their families.

Chairman of NMC group and UAE Exchange, Dr. B R Shetty has announced a donation of Rs. 2 crore to assist in the relief efforts in Kerala State

In one college of Nursing in Mangaluru, where nearly 80% are students from Kerala, are all in sad faces because many of their family members, relatives and friends have suffered huge losses, and even some of them have died. One of the student of this Nursing college, Ms Shirley Abraham hailing from Thrissur speaking to Team Mangalorean said, “Even though our house is completely damaged, but luckily all my family members escaped from the disaster well in time, thus got saved. But sadly, my Uncle lost his life while trying to save his cow and dog. He was my dear Uncle, but due to no excess to reach his house for his funeral, I am very much helpless. May His soul rest in peace. I humbly request the people of Mangaluru to come forward with a helping hand to these flood-affected people in Kerala”.

Ajith Nambiar, a Keralite from Ernakulam who runs a general store in Mangaluru said, ” My family members are safe, and no damage was done to our house since we live on top of a hill, but sadly many of my friends who had houses in the low level have all lost their property. Thousands of people are still perched on trees and rooftops, waiting to be rescued. Water has started entering relief camps. This is the first time we have seen such a disastrous monsoon so far. Hope the weather would be good in the coming days so that people wont suffer anymore”. Environmentalist Krishnappa K and his family who every year celebrate Onam get-together, where Yours Truly is always a invited guest, but this year they have decided not to have any celebration, instead they want to contribute funds to a Kerala Social Organization, to support the flood victims.

If our readers who want to be generous in contributing funds/Relief Materials for a good cause can call – Mangalore Diocese at 824 2440524( 4 lines) 2447933, 2420517; Commandant Satwant Singh {Coast Guard, Panambur}- 07975597471; Yathish Baikampady {CEO- Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project- 9449035570