PANJIM: “The Contemporary Speeches”, a book authored by Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai was released by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholics of the East Malankara Metropolitan at old Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan on Thursday.
The Governor, informing about the various initiatives implemented through Raj Bhavan, said that he is making good use of the special fund at his discretion to help the charitable institutions and needy cancer and dialysis patients in the State.
Around 1,900 patients have benefited from this fund as Raj Bhavan has provided an assistance of Rs 25,000 to each individual apart from 90 institutions, who were provided with financial assistance. Raj Bhavan has been judiciously using the fund for a cause without any discrimination, he added.
The Governor informed that he derived the idea of providing financial assistance to needy people, after being inspired by the speech of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, who always highlighted to spend money for the poor people and for charitable purposes. Doing something good for poor people is like doing something for God, he said.
Baselios Marthoma Mathews III underscored the need to eradicate poverty and drug addiction from the society. All the religions in the State and countries should come together to fight these evils. Time has come to work together hand in hand to fight against these evils, he said.
His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, said Orthodox Sabha is very much proud of the helping hand extended by the Governor for the poor and needy people. He said the Governor is leading the State very efficiently and added the Governor shares whatever he receives through different ways and cited the financial assistance that he has been providing for cancer and dialysis patients.
On the occasion, Baselios Marthoma Mathews III honoured the Catholica Bhava (Doctorate of Literature (DLitt) Honoris Causa Awardee in Literature and Law by ASBM University, Bhubaneswar, to the Governor. Also Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho received the copies of the book at the hands of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III.
The Raj Bhavan also hosted a reception to the religious heads from outside Goa on the occasion. First Lady of Goa, K Rita Pillai was also present on the occasion.
Earlier, M R M Rao, IAS, Secretary to Governor welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted the various activities carried out by Raj Bhavan. Adv Biju Oommen, Sabha Secretary Orthodox Sabha gave the introductory address while welcoming the Bishops. Mihir Vardhan, IAS (Retd) gave the introductory speech about Raj Bhavan publications and TH Valsaraj proposed a vote of thanks.
