Udupi, Jul 13: At the earlier times of the traditional farmers are disregarding the age-old paddy cultivation, Catholic Sabha unit of Sacred Heart parish, Kolalgiri, near here are embarking on cultivating paddy in a disused field and harvest the crop and freely distribute the rice amongst the poor regardless of caste and faith.

Sixty members of Catholic Sabha unit of Kolalgiri parish led by their President Ashwin Roche planted the saplings in 55 cents disused paddy field of Vijayadas Shetty, near Aroor – Kanjebail, near here on Sunday July 10. Earlier, rural sports were held on the same field to energize the members who enthusiastically engaged in planting saplings later. 

Kolalgiri Parish unit of Catholic Sabha has spent about Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 in their endeavour to grow paddy. Vincent D’Souza, the treasurer who lives nearby the paddy field will monitor the process at the farm. The members themselves will harvest the crop and donate the bay to cow-shelter or to those needy dairy farmers in the vicinity. The unit expect 10 quintals of rice after processing the paddy upon harvesting. The rice will be distributed freely to poor regardless of caste and faith. The unit has plans to continue their mission in the future too.

Catholic Sabha unit of Kolalgiri parish completes 25 years and has 225 members who have plans to constructtoilets for poor, bus shelter and open stage etc. 

Udupi diocesan Catholic Sabha president Valerian Fernandes, deanery president Steven Prakash Lewis, Kolalgiri parish council vice president Naveen Rodrigues, secretary Queeny Mary, Kolalgiri gram panchayat president Raju Kulal, paddy field owner Vijayadas Shetty were present during planting the saplings.    

Team KonkanConnect