Seminar on Service to Poor at ODP : India

Mysuru , Karnataka :

The University of Mysore, Chair in Christianity, DoS in Christianity, Manasagangotri, in collaboration with the Organisation for the Development of People (ODP), had organised a Seminar on ‘Service to the Poor and the Marginalised’ at Pragathi Training Centre in ODP premises, Bannimantap, here this morning.

The programme began with the recital of a prayer song by ODP staff followed by a welcome dance by the students of St. Joseph’s High School, Bannimantap.

Rev. Fr. Faustine L. Lobo, National Director, PMS India, who spoke on the topic ‘Service to the Poor and the Marginalised,’ said that in India three lakh children die every year due to poverty while 800 million people in the world go to bed without food due to poverty everyday.

Speaking about the difference between poverty in India and other developed countries, he said that in India people are under absolute poverty whereas in developed countries like Canada and France, people are under relative poverty.

Elaborating about relative poverty, he said that relative poverty is a measure of income inequality where a person cannot afford to buy a mobile or house or car. He rued that in India, many people do not even have food to eat and said that India is a country where one can find people under absolute poverty.

He concluded his talk by saying, “Poor is not poor because he/she is not intelligent. Poor is poor because of lack of opportunities.”

Puttaraju, Director, District Minority Welfare Department, Mysuru, explained about the various scholarships available for minorities.

He noted that there are two types of Scholarships namely, Pre-Matric Scholarship and Post-Matric Scholarship. Stating that many people are unaware of these scholarships, he called upon the students to make the best use of the Scholarships provided by the Government.

Bishop of Mysuru Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Anthony Vazhapilly presided. Mysore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa was the chief guest.

Sr. Rosin welcomed. Rev. Fr. Stanley D’Almeida, Director, ODP; Dr. Dayananda Prabhu, Visiting Professor, Chair in Christianity, University of Mysore and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 09th, 2015

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