Ranchi: By the railway lines in the Hatia region of the suburbs of Jharkhand’s Ranchi lies a basti (hamlet) called Ganyartoli, which is mostly inhabited by families headed by daily wage earners. They have always been struggling for survival having migrated into the city from across Jharkhand. Many of them are not enrolled in the public distribution system and cannot benefit from government benefits. The pandemic and the lockdowns have made their lives miserable.
Ajay Nath Sahadeo, a social activist, indicated the village to Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas SFX and pointed out to the needy people there. Archbishop Felix Toppo SJ and Bishop Theodore along with the Ranchi Catholic Youth led by Kuldeep Tirkey on Thursday visited the village and distributed dry rations to over 215 needy families in the area. The families received a 15-day ration of rice, dal (pulses), chana (chickpeas), soya beans and cooking oil.
Tirkey informed the people that the rations were a loving gift of the Catholic Church made possible by the generosity of its benefactors of the Church. Bishop Theodore underlined that the Catholic Church does not look at religion or caste bit only at the need of the people. He requested the people to pray for the benefactors to God by whatever name they may call him and worship him.
Archbishop Felix prayed for the people for God’s protection and grace. Sahadeo thanked the Catholic Church and said the services rendered by the Church throughout the pandemic were admirable and that he was really touched by the service minded work of the Church. Fr. Sushil Toppo, Fr. Anjelus Ekka, Catholic Youth, Niranjan and Shanti from the area helped in the distribution.