A helping hand from a leading businessman

Thiruvananthapuram : Known for his philanthropic works, VKL Holdings and Al Namal group of Companies Chairman Dr. Varghese Kurian has now lent a helping hand to hundreds of people in need. 

Dr. Kurian pledged Rs 25 lakh (BD14,230) as a medical aid to the needy. The contribution is expected to benefit 500 people. 

Rs5000 (BD29) will be distributed to each of  the beneficiaries through the Karunya Project (the Project of Compassion).

This was revealed on the sidelines of an event held to celebrate the Navathi (90th birthday) of Santhigiri Ashram founder Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.

During the event, Malayalam actor Mammootty was conferred with the Santhigiri Navathi Award. The honorary award, which consists of Rs1 lakh (BD570) and a memento, was presented by Sri Lankan parliament speaker Desabandhu Karu Jayasurya.  

The Indian superstar’s birthday was also celebrated by cutting a cake at the venue.

The event presided by Kerala minister for ports Kadannappally Ramachandran, was attended by former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy, Santhigiri Ashram organising secretary Swamy Gururatnam Jnana Thapaswi, General Secretary Swami Chaitanya Jnana Thapaswi, Saeed Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal and other dignitaries.

A cultural meet was also held in connection with the Navati Celebrations on Sunday. The event was inaugurated by Rajiv Pratap Rudy, the Central Minister for Skill Development.

During the function, the minister said the Indian government will train 50,000 people in Kerala as part of a skill development programme with the participation of Santhigiri Ashram.

The minister said Santhigiri is a model for the society in philanthropic work and skill development programmes. Santhigiri through these programmes would make people employable in line with the vision of its founder, Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru, he added, assuring the Ashram all support in these activities.

The Navathi Celebrations, which was inaugurated by Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari on August 20, will go on until September 20.