By Purushottam Nayak
Raikia, April 12, 2020: Christians in Kandhamal have set aside their poverty to contribute to the Odisha Chief Minster’s Relief Fund to combat Covid-19.
“Our contribution may not be big compared to what the rich have given, but our hearts are filled with love and sacrifice,” said Jogendra Nilamani Mandal, president of Puja Committee of Our Lady of Catholic Church, Raikia, while giving 20,000 rupees to Block Development Officer Prabin Kumanr Banua.
The amount collected from the parishioners was given on on April 10, the Good Friday. Mandal said the Catholic parish undertakes such collections every Good Friday.
A packet of 10,000 rupees was given to the BDO by Sushant Nayak, the local Baptist Pastor.
Nayak was among an eight-member Christian team that med the BDO, who noted that the Christians are generous, kind and good. “They are charitable and ready to show their solidarity for the common good of the society,” he told them led by Rakia Catholic parish priest Father Pradosh Chandra Nayak.
The team also distributed dry food, fruits, and milk to the patients of a government hospital . They also handed over wash kits to the doctors and nurses.
They distributed biscuits to orphans of Raikia’s St. Catherine’s House.
Phulmoti Pradhan, a Hindu woman patient who received food, fruits and milk, thanked the Christians. “This noble act is inspired by the Lord. I remember Mother Teresa who served lepers, poor, sick and suffering,” said the woman who has Christian neighbors.
The Daughters of Charity (DC) nuns are making masks for the poor, since wearing mask has become compulsory in Odisha, the first Indian state to extend the nationwide lockdown to April 30.