Mangaloreans Collect Rs. 1.74 cr. for Flood Victims

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The DK district administration has so far collected Rs 1.74 crores for the welfare of the flood victims of North Karnataka. 

J. Krishna Palemar, the district minister-in-charge, who had led a “padayatra” in different parts of Mangalore on Thursday, informed press people that they had collected Rs. 27.54 lakh in cash and Rs 20.37 in cheques. The “padayatra” organized in rural areas was successful in raising Rs. 10.46 lakhs. Students, political leaders, and senior officials of the district administration participated in this “padayatra.” 

The Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. donated Rs. 50 lakh; the Mangalore Special Economic Zone Ltd., the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Bharat Beedies donated Rs. 5 lakh each, Mr. Palemar said. The Durgaparameshwari temple in Kateel has agreed to give 7,000 saris. Mayor M. Shankar Bhat said that the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) would donate Rs. 15 lakh. A cloth merchant at Mangalore’s central market donated 500 saris. The Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd. has donated Rs. 15 lakh. Donations are still pouring in at the deputy commissioner’s office from various organizations and individuals. 

Mangaloreans exhibited great generosity during the padayatra. A student waiting for the bus donated Rs.10/, which was all he had in his pocket. Since the money was meant to purchase his bus ticket, the minister returned it to him. One of the fishmongers in the fish market donated a few coins in spite of the fact that she had not yet sold any fish. Several auto rickshaw drivers stopped their vehicles only to donate money for the flood victims. 

Deputy Commissioner V. Ponnuraj said that many corporate institutions are yet to contribute to the relief fund. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Yogish Bhat, and SP Dr. A. S. Rao were also present. Mr. Palemar appealed to the people to volunteer their services and donate generously in order to rehabilitate the flood victims. He said that people can even build houses for the villagers at an estimated Rs. 1 lakh per house. 

Currently, the district administration is exploring the idea of rebuilding an entire village after consulting with certain organizations and builders.