Srikakulam: A retired engineer has been contributing Rs 50,000 from his pension every month to feed beggars during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.
Over 100 beggars and leprosy patients are supplied food daily by volunteers of Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) in Srikakulam.
During the first few weeks post lockdown, a number of voluntary organisations and other associations supplied food to poor, needy people. But that service stopped around May when the government relaxed lockdown measures.
Realizing that poor people would continue to starve, retired chief engineer CVN Murthy stepped up to their aid, under the banner of CV Nagajyoti Charitable Trust.
According to IRCS chairman P Jagan Mohan Rao, the temples where beggars used to gather for alms were closed during lockdown, so they faced a hardship.
“We contacted CVN Murthy, who has been feeding the poor for the past two-and-a-half years. He agreed to the proposal and started contributing Rs 50,000 from his pension money every month for feeding the beggars and others. They prepare food at Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple at PN Colony in Srikakulam. We feed not less than 100 people everyday in Srikakulam,” Rao added.
“We spend nearly Rs 65,000 per month. As Rs 50,000 is contributed by Murthy, the balance is borne by the Indian Red Cross Society and donors,” Rao added.
