HYDERABAD (RVA News): Caritas India marked 60 years of serving the poor and downtrodden in India with a celebration in Hyderabad, on December 13. Assistant executive director, Father Jolly Puthenpura said, “Social work is not about money, but it’s all about heart. Caritas India motivates people, and works with people connecting them emotionally and spiritually.”
The Hyderabad Archdiocesan Social Service Society [HASSS] organised the celebration which was a continuation of the capacity building programme of various aspects of Natural Farming techniques.
About 80 farmers, 10 Panchayati Raj Institutions [PRI— a system of village self-government in rural India] members, and the 1 Women Federation, along with the directors, programme implementors, community educators and lead farmers involved in Ujjwala-3 Project [U3] programme, participated in the event.
Father Puthenpura praised the farmers saying, “You all can be called Caritas farmers. Service to the farmers is a passion, mission, vocation and joy of service for Caritas India. It has a fraternal feeling, and it involves the people in their suffering,” the priest said.
Caritas India expressed appreciation for Poola Cardinal Anthony for his love and service to the poor and marginalised, as well as the HASSS initiatives in local fundraising and promotion of volunteers.
“Our main motto is to build capacity, support them financially and promote their service,” said Father Anthony Madanu, director of HASSS.
Vicar general of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad, Father Yerruva Balashowry, and vice chairperson, Father Madanu Chinnaiah of HASSS, honoured Father Puthenpura and Dr. V. R. Haridas of Caritas India for their selfless service to the poor, marginalised and for their great contribution to nation building on behalf of the Church in India.
The best farmers were honoured and recognised for their efforts and for being a role models for other farmers in natural and organic farming, in turn promoting healthy life, society and a healthy planet.
HASSS facilitates the Ujjwala-3 Project [U3] to promote food security via climate-resilient agriculture and livelihoods. This is the first year of the third phase of the initiative, which aims to empower and educate farmers in agriculture, floriculture, and other fields.
