New Delhi/Shillong/Tura: Lok Sabha MP Vincent H Pala on Monday allocated Rs one crore from his MPLAD scheme to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pala also contributed Rs one lakh from his salary to the Chief Minister Relief Fund. He hoped that the fund would be useful and utilised for testing, screening and treatment of patients and suspects.
The Shillong Archdiocese on Monday donated Rs 3 lakh to the Chief Minister Relief Fund. Rev Fr John Madur, Diocesan Administrator along with other members met the chief minister and handed over the amount to him.
The Shillong Archdiocese also offered to convert its schools and buildings into isolation centres or quarantine homes if the need arises. The delegation also comprised of Director Social Service, Rev Fr Bernard Laloo, President Catholic Association, J A Lyngdoh, Richard Kahit and Barnabas Nongbah, GS. Talking to newsmen after meeting the chief minister, Rev Madur informed that they have 60 centres, including 35 parishes, and if needed all will be turned into isolation centres
He further informed that they have directed all centres in East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts to be prepared to provide help.
Rev Madur said that as precautionary measures the Church has been advising people and also suspended services for the time being.
The Catholic Church in Garo Hills, too, has donated Rs 5 lakh to the Chief Minister Relief Fund and handed over its newly constructed multi-storyed Pastoral Centre complex at Walbakgre in Tura to make way for the government to set up a separate isolation centre for the treatment of those infected with the disease.
The Pastoral Centre, inaugurated just a year ago, is used by the church for congregation meetings, seminars, formation of clergy, religious and the laity.
The state government is putting in place four isolation centres in Tura that can hold 300 patients for treatment, namely the Farmers Training Centre in Sangsanggre, College of Home Science (Sangsanggre), SMELC complex at Dakopgre and now the Pastoral Centre.
The pastoral centre currently is able to accommodate 150 people in its two dormitories and 24 individual rooms.
“During the present time of crisis, the church has the bounden duty to help the government in providing necessary help and aid to the people”, stated Bishop of Tura, Rt Rev. Andrew R Marak in a letter to the priests of the different parishes and heads of Catholic institutions of Garo Hills, on Monday.
The bishop also informed that its social organisation wing BAKDIL has begun awareness drives and is gearing up to launch relief operations as per the need, besides preparing all primary health centres under its care to face any eventuality in case of an outbreak of the disease.
“I request all our parishes, institutions and social services of different congregations to come forward to render a helping hand during this time of need by taking a pro-active role,” appealed Bishop Andrew Marak.
He also suggested to the various parishes of the church to set up a relief helpline in their respective centres from where supply of food and essential commodities, making of masks and sanitisers and distributing them, monetary help, among other things can be provided to the needy.
He cautioned against use of tobacco and taking a leaf from medical research findings warned that smokers are very vulnerable to respiratory diseases including COVID-19.
The Bishop’s appeal also urged the people to support each other, make use of the available food materials sparingly, avoid wastage and encourage kitchen gardens in homes.
He said one of the first lines of defense against the disease would be to follow the directives of the government fully on social distancing and practise safe hygiene by regular washing of hands.
Responding to the call of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the civilian staff of West Jaintia Hills DEF along with the families of the police personnel made a contribution of Rs 50000 to the Chief Minister Relief Fund on Monday.
The cheque was handed over by two of the senior most staff of the SP office- A Suting and J Mawrie- to the Branch Manager of HDFC Bank, Jowai.
