by Clerics Christopher Nadar & Rohan D’Souza for BISMumbai

Don Bosco Nerul under the leadership of Father Barnabe D’Souza began relief work to help the needy across Navi Mumbai as soon as the COVID-19 lockdown was imposed in Maharashtra, in the month of March. Don Bosco Nerul has reached out to the needy people in Airoli, Mahape, Ghansoli, Koparkhairane, Turbhe, Vashi, Nerul, Belapur, Ulwe, Kharghar, and Kalamboli. Don Bosco Nerul has distributed over 15,000kgs rice, 8,000kgs dal, 5,000kgs wheat flour and a few thousand kilos of sugar, oil, teapowder and spices. This was possible with the kind generosity of the school teachers, students, parents, and several well wishers of Don Bosco Nerul.

Several of the school teachers and staff, volunteered along with the social work department staff, going beyond risks and reached out to a variety of needy, destitute, casual labourers, daily wage earners, roadside vendors, load carriers, construction workers, commercial sex workers, student hosteliers, courier deliverypersonnel, artisans, fisher-folk, orphans, tribal people, jobless, those residing in the slums and most especially the migrants.

Acknowledging the dedicated relief work for the needy and helpless by Don Bosco Nerul, HDFC Bank honoured Father D’Souza as the ‘neighborhood hero’.

The citation reads:

You emerged as a Hero in the strenuous times of COVID-19 pandemic when our nation and we as part of our nation are all going through a survival crisis. The ones who faced the brunt of it instantly were the underprivileged who lost their job and were in desperate need for care and concern, being a responsible citizen , you showed what a true hero is and came to their rescue by arranging food supplies for the people in need. From arranging food, to providing essentials you deserve to be recognized as a hero. Your hard-work and your efforts helped people as we all battle the corona-virus pandemic. Here is a certificate celebrating and recognizing your valuable contribution towards the society.

With gratitude,

HDFC Bank

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