Tamil Nadu - Vellore   

Assistance given to women's groups

VELLORE: Financial assistance to the tune of Rs.one lakh each was given to two Kolping women's groups in Sandhavasal and C. Nammiyendal in Tiruvannamalai district as part of the Mother Teresa birth centenary celebrations organised by the Vellore Social Service Society (VSSS), under the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of Vellore at the Assumption Cathedral here on Wednesday.

The amount would be shared among the members of the two groups at the rate of Rs.10,000 each for the purchase of milch animals under the collective income-generation programme of VSSS.

Though there are 16 members in the C. Nammiyendal group and 12 members in the Sandhavasal group, some of the members would forgo the claim for the grant in favour of others who are in need, in the true spirit of give-and-take embodied by Mother Teresa. Financial assistance to the tune of Rs.1000 each was given to 15 differently-abled students on the occasion.

G. Viswanathan, Chancellor of VIT University, who distributed the financial assistance on behalf of the VSSS, said that most people work hard either for their own or their family's welfare, the welfare of their town or village, their caste or their country. “Mother Teresa transcended individual, caste and regional barriers and served the humanity all over the world. The fact of a person being born in one country settling down in another country and serving the people of that country as well as other countries in the world and getting the highest civilian honour of that country is unparalleled in the history of the world”, he said.

The VIT Chancellor said that not everyone would desire to help others, especially the underprivileged and neglected sections of the society. Mother Teresa dedicated her life to the service of such people.

“Each one of us should do whatever possible to help the needy people, be it money, education or medical assistance. The spirit of motherhood which was behind the gestures of Mother Teresa should be imbibed not only by women but also by men”, he said.

Mr. Viswanathan said that the development witnessed by the country should reach all sections of the society. “We cannot continue with a situation where one section of the people wallows in poverty, while the other section thrives with all wealth that it could possess. Middlemen siphon off a major part of the funds given by the government for various welfare and development schemes.

Poverty can be eradicated only if the entire government money reaches the targeted sections of the society”, he said.

Catholic Bishop of Vellore P. Soundararaju, who presided, said that Mother Teresa gave the human touch to the under-privileged and neglected people in the society.

C. Gnanasekaran, Vellore MLA, said that Mother Teresa started rehabilitation centres for lepers, alcohol addicts and other deprived people. She preached humanitarianism at a time when people were displaying their animal instincts, he said.

R. Chandrasekaran, president, Udhavum Ullangal, said that the message of humanitarianism preached and practised by Mother Teresa should be inculcated in the minds of our children who are engrossed in academic pursuits besides the television.

She auctioned off the car gifted by the Pope and used the proceeds for the needy, Mr. Chandrasekaran said and requested the Catholic Diocese of Vellore to extend its social service by facilitating the rescue of people who are found neglected on the streets and arrange for their rehabilitation or restoration to their families, on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Mother Teresa.

S. Lourdusamy, Director, VSSS, welcomed the gathering.

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