Shimoga, September 17, 2020: The devastating floods in the State of Karnataka in the first and second weeks of August 2019 caused ruined the happiness of thousands of families. Several poor and marginalized families lost their property, houses, household articles, agricultural crop, etc. The situation in the district of Shimoga was not different. The unexpected event brought misery to several families in the district of Shimoga. As an immediate response the Diocese of Shimoga through the Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society provided relief material to 485 most deserving families. However this temporary relief did not wipe out the tears of those who lost their houses partially or fully. Understanding the plight of the people who lost their houses, the Archbishop of Bangalore launched into action and started mobilizing funds for the relief work. Archbishop Most Rev. Dr Peter Machado’s love for the poor and marginalized and an ardent desire to provide support to the victims was well accepted by all the Priests, Religious Communities, Educational Institutions and the people of goodwill of the Archdiocese of Bangalore. Because of the able leadership of His Grace, Archbishop Peter Machado and the meticulous planning of the Archdiocesan Team, the Archdiocese of Bangalore mobilized enough funds to construct 42 new houses for the flood victims in 6 dioceses 0f Karnataka and 1 diocese in Kerala.
The Archdiocese of Bangalore extended the generous financial support to the diocese of Shimoga resulting in the construction of 7 new houses in different parts of Shimoga. The newly constructed houses were Inaugurated and Handed over to the beneficiaries on 17 September 2020. The 7 beneficiaries are:
- Mrs Ranjitha V. R. From Suguru, Shimoga taluk living with her husband and 3 little children. The house is donated by the Archdiocese of Bangalore
- Mrs Uma from Annanagara, Shimoga living with her 3 sons. Her husband has deserted her long back. The house is donated by St Joseph’s College Institutions, Bangalore.
- Mrs Annu, a widow living in J. P. Nagara, Shimoga along with her 2 sons and 4 daughters. The house is donated by the Congregation of the Sisters of St Charles Borromeo ,
- Mrs Vanajakshi, a widow from Kumsi in Shimoga taluk is living with her 2 sons. The House is donated by Infant Jesus Shrine, Bangalore.
- Mrs Nagarathna from Halkuni in Shimoga taluk living with her husband and daughter. She lost her son two years back due to accidental drowning in a pond. The House is donated by St Joseph’s College Institutions, Bangalore.
- Mrs Bhavani, a widow from Hasudi Farm in Shimoga taluk is living with her 1 son, 2 daughters and 2 grand children. The house is donated by St Germain’s Academy, Bangalore.
- Mrs Ranjitha, a widow from Nagar, Hosanagar taluk, Shimoga district, living with her 3 little children. The house is donated by Cluny Social Service Trust, Kannur and Society of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Nagavara, Bangalore.
Of these beneficiaries 6 belong to Hindu Community while 01 belongs to Muslim community
The Archbishop of Bangalore along with the Bishop of Shimoga, Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, inaugurated the houses in the presence of Rev. Fr Joseph Menezes representing Infant Jesus Shrine, Bangalore, Rev. Fr Francis D’Souza SJ representing St Joseph’s College Institutions, Bangalore, Rev. Fr Christopher representing St Germain’s Academy, Sr Wilma Rebello SCB, Provincial of St Charles Borromeo and Sr Sirija Pushpam representing Cluny Social Service Trust, Kannur and Society of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Nagavara, Bangalore. Rev. Fr Joseph Naveen Kumar, the Director of BMSSS, Bangalore and Rev. Fr Cyril Victor from the Archdiocese of Bangalore too were present. The support from the Archdiocese of Bangalore was routed through Caritas India, New Delhi. The State Officer from Caritas India for Karnataka, Mr Robert D’Souza too was present during the inauguration. The beneficiaries profusely thanked the Archbishop, the Archdiocese of Bangalore and all the donors for generously supporting them to construct new houses.
