Udupi: Not limiting itself to the welfare of the community, the Goud Saraswat Brahmin community on Sunday handed over Rs 70 lakh to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for the Army Welfare Fund-Battle causalities and assured to make it Rs 1 crore shortly.
Parrikar was in Hejamady in Udupi district on Sunday to participate in the World Konkani Convention. Though the convention was aimed to unite and strengthen the community, members also decided to give it a nationalist touch by collecting money for the Army Welfare Fund.
In the backdrop of the convention, a bike rally was held a few months ago from Goa to Kerala (Kannur). About Rs 70 lakh has already been collected and was symbolically handed over to Parrikar on Friday. Appreciating the gesture of his community, Parrikar who spoke in his mother tongue Konkani, said that the community had expressed its nationalist thinking through this.
“A community with a population of 5-7 lakh has contributed Rs 1 crore for the welfare of soldiers now which is commendable. Such a move by 120 crore Indians could make wonders,” he remarked.
Defining PM Narendra Modi as a great visionary, Parrikar said the PM had the courage to execute his vision. A corruption-free administration with innovative ideas could deliver development and good administration, he added.
