Kolathur (Malappuram): The charity programme ‘Santhwanam’ initiated by Chemmalassery Kilikkunnukavu Alikkal Bhagavati Temple here is entering the eighth year. The temple has been providing pension and scholarship for the poor for a long time.
‘Santhwanam’ scheme was launched in 2013 in order to lend a helping hand for the poor. Through the scheme, 15 poor patients are given Rs 500 per month as pension. 180 people are given the pension in a year. The amount is delivered in their households on 10th of every month. Apart from this, the temple also gives study materials and scholarship for the children from poor families.
Additional financial assistance is provided for the patients from poor background despite their religion. Last year, the temple had taken over the education expense of three higher secondary students and this year, the expense of a UG and PG student.
The fund for the scheme is raised by adding a certain share from the temple’s revenue and the donation fromkind souls, said temple committee president C V Murali. They are happy in being able to continue the charity programme even during the pandemic crisis.
Distribution of the pension for new members of ‘Santhwanam’ scheme will take place at Deviprasadam Auditorium on Sunday at 4.30 pm. A sub-committee headed by C Sreedharan Nair as chairman and M Venugopal as convener is managing the programmes.
