VISHU AMMA-MARODOPPAM

[Gopal Nair]

My Dear Friends 

For many of us celebrating Vishu with our elderly people are a dream due to many reasons. However, we restrict to celebrate Vishu only with our immediate family members, wherever we are settled outside Kerala.

There are many underprivileged elderly people who are not able to celebrate festivals like Vishu. We have been identifying such elderly people (especially Ammas) and arrange a get together during Vishu.

This time also we would like to celebrate Vishu with a few underprivileged Ammas and our Dr Peter is coordinating the same.

The enclosed message from Dr Peter is self explanatory. He has also come forward offering a good amount personally. Thank you so much for your kindness Sir

We need balance of around Rs.1 lac to meet the expenses. Shall appreciate your kind sponsorship for the same. 

The venue and exact date will be decided soon

GOD Bless All 🙏

With love

Gopal

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: AC Peter <acp...@gmail.com>
Date: Tuesday, 4 February 2025
Subject: VISHU AMMA-MARODOPPAM
To: Gopal Nair <gopalnair...@gmail.com>

 PERSONAL / SEEKING YOUR GUIDANCE AND ADVICE

04 February 2025

 Mr Gopal Nair

Founder Chair, 

MFG, Ahmedabad

 

Dear Mr  Gopal Nair ji,

Sub: Vishu 2025 : Amma-marodoppam

Greetings to you!

Vishu - Malayalam New Year celebration symbolizing new beginnings, prosperity, and hope - will be on 14 April 2025.  The festival brings families together in Kerala and among Malayali communities worldwide for a day of traditional celebrations. Vishu is celebrated with great enthusiasm which still represents Kerala’s socio-cultural heritage.

On this occasion, every year, under the aegis, blessings and support of MFG, 100 Ammas (mothers) were given Vishu  Sadya at Piravom, Ernakulam. To give colour to function and entertainment to Ammas, Natya-kalakshetra will present Vishu dance items. The festival brings together the unfortunate mothers (Ammas), strengthens community bonds especially with the young generation and family togetherness with hope, joy, and traditional fervour.

These Ammas are deprived, aged, mostly widowed, sick and uncared for.  Every year, they wait for this assemblage organised by MFG to come out of home, receive new cloth, join for a sumptuous Vishu Sadya, enjoy Vishu cultural items and carry home useful kit / tems, reminiscent of the get-together.   

The MFG   local unit desires to arrange for Ammas, this time, fresh fruits, vegetables, rice/grains, pulses to carry home,  Vishu Sadya and cultural items at the auditorium.   A few others may also join for Sadya because certain Ammas need assistance from non-medical attendants. 27 ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) workers will join, assisting the Ammas, like in the previous years.

Considering the prevailing economic situation of the suffering Ammas and due to their persistent requests, we intend to raise the number of Ammas from 100 to 150. These unfortunate Ammas are not in a position to celebrate Vishu on their own. To our mind, there is no other noble project than giving a sumptuous Sadya to these Ammas (costing Rs 130 per banana leaf) on this auspicious occasion along with kits consisting of rice, pulses, fruits etc.  

This year, the summer will be going to be severe as per experts. Therefore we shall hire a decent hall with simultaneous sitting arrangements for Sadya and meeting (cultural events) for Ammas and others at a cost of Rs 35,000 (including chairs, desks and other items). 

In order to minimize the costs, we intend not to give cash of Rs 200 per mother and set-mundu costing Rs 350 per mother. Instead, we intend to give a kit worth Rs 600 to each Ammas.

We would like to invite Ms. Seema G Nair (Cine Actress), as one of the Guests during the event, to motivate, inspire and encourage Ammas. This year also, we intend to recognise the best social worker/s who will receive blessings from the Ammas. The date of the event can be finalised as per your convenience.  This is because, this year, we seek your kind benign presence without fail.

The total cost is estimated as below:

Hall, chair, desk, podium, mike, curtain, light, sound, generator, decoration etc. 

Rs 35,000

- - - - - - - - - -

Sadya  (Rs 130 x 250 persons) 

(150 Ammas + 27 ASHAs  to encourage and motivate them for community work + Natya Kalashetra troupe, guests etc.)

Rs 29,510  say Rs 32,500

- - - - - - - - - - -

Kit items like Rice/grain, pulse, vegetable, fruits  

Rs 600 per kit to 150 Ammas :  

Rs 90,000

 - - - - - - - - - -

Msc expenses

Rs 10,000

 - - - - - - - -

Total Rs 1,67,500

An amount of Rs 67,500 will be contributed by AC Peter.  We need a balance Rs 1 lakh.  AC Peter will remit Rs 67,500 to MFG account, so that, if MFG patrons come forward to support the balance, then a total amount of Rs 1,67,500 can be sent to different vendors directly by electronic bank transfer by MFG from Ahmedabad (instead of sending money to us).  This will be smooth for accounting/audit purposes for MFG.

We seek your kind thoughts, guidance and advice.

Kind regards,

AC Peter