Mangaluru: The Rai Estates Educational and Charitable Trust, under the aegis of Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai, will organise the 14th ‘Ashoka Janamana’ Deepavali celebration in Puttur on Nov 22.
During the programme, gifts including garments, saris, bedsheets, utensils and bath towels will be distributed to about 1 lakh people, Rai told reporters on Thursday. Having completed 13 years, this year we planned to conduct the 14th Ashoka Jana Mana programme on Nov 8. A dosa camp will be arranged as part of the programme and will start at 9.30am and continue until evening, with plans to distribute 1 lakh dosas. Meanwhile, from 12.30pm to 3pm, food will be served to over 30,000 people, he said.
However, due to the prevailing weather conditions, the programme scheduled for this year has been postponed to Nov 22,” Rai said, adding that separate counters will be set up for the distribution of gifts.
They can choose different options according to their preference and go to the respective counter to collect them,” the MLA said. Stating that there are no territorial restrictions, Rai said, “We are doing this within the jurisdiction of Puttur assembly constituency. A public meeting will be held as part of the programme, he said, adding that he has invited chief minister DK Shivakumar to participate in it.
“We have been celebrating the ‘Ashoka Jana Mana’ programme every year on Deepavali. We have made all the preparations for it. “Anyone can make use of this arrangement. If one person comes from a family, they will get one item; if five people come from a household, they will get five items. However, people are coming from Sullia, Belthangady and Bantwal. There is no question of turning anyone away. “All necessary arrangements will be made if the chief minister agrees to participate in the programme. Meanwhile, several other dignitaries have also been invited,” he added.