At the time of Navaratri festival in September 2014, some poor people living in the vicinity of the temple were found to be suffering from serious terminal illnesses. To help such people, few youngsters in the temple committee collected small amount ranging from Rs.50/- to Rs.1000/- from devotees and well-wishers, and made a small corpus fund. 4 such deserving persons were given financial grant of Rs.3000/- each in a simple ceremony organized in the temple premises on Oct.1, 2014. That was the beginning of MACT
For making more inroads in helping the down trodden and deprived society, a Public Charitable Trust was registered, in the name and style of MANIKKIYIL AMMA SEVA TRUST on 26 Nov. 2014. The main objectives of the trust are to do Service to Society in the field of Health, Education, Social, Economic, Environmental and Ethical front and to cover all types of citizens, irrespective of Caste, Creed or Religion.
In the Health front, 2 novel schemes were designed to identify and help people suffering from disabilities or terminal illnesses and victims of accidents, viz.
Apart from the initial 4 persons, another 6 persons suffering from terminal illness were helped with financial assistance under the first scheme and 3 persons who met with accidents were given financial assistance under the second scheme. In one exceptional case, the trust has extended monthly life-time financial assistance to two handicapped ladies of very poor means. Another long-term assistance was to a widow of a coconut-tree climber who lost his life while on duty. A middle aged man, whose leg was amputated due to a fatal disease, was helped financially for fixing an artificial leg. Another coconut-tree climber who was badly injured after a fall, is receiving long-term monthly financial assistance for medical treatment.
A novel thought from one of the active members was converted to reality, when a Free Music Class for Children kick-started, in the name of SOWJANYA KALA / SANGEETHOPAKARANA PARISHEELANA CLASS. An experienced master was hired and 65 children enrolled within no time. The children were taught to play Tabala, Violin and Key board. Children are now enthusiastically learning and practicing to play these instruments, ABSOLUTELY FREE. To encourage them further, snacks and coffee were also distributed to the children at the end of each class. Recently, the trust has taken the initiative to teach the children the ART OF MEDITATION, under the same banner.
Another project of the trust taken in the field of education was to organize Atmeeya Prabhashanam, on Sanatana Dharma and Gita class rendered by renowned persons, absolutely FREE every Sunday evening. This initiative is becoming more and more popular with many adults and children participating with great zeal.
With an aim to empower girl students, MACT has instituted a long-term scholarship to bright girl students hailing from very poor background, covering all expenses in connection with pursuing higher studies as far as the student can go. For this year, the scholarship was won by Ms. Anugraha, d/o Sri. Dinesan. She is first in class throughout, not only academically, but in sports and cultural activities as well.
13 students who procured A+ in all subjects for SSLC and +2 course were felicitated and honored with a trophy and certificate in a grand meeting where Padmasree Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar was the Chief Guest.
It was decided to expand scope of service to cover a large section of suffering people, rather than individually, under a new scheme named, AGADHI / ANAATHAALAYA SAHAAYA PADHADI. Towards this end, 200 inmates of Pratyasha Bhavan and Amala Bhavan were treated with a sumptuous Vishu Sadhya and a number of daily use articles like, buckets, plates, glasses, washing powder, blankets and towels were distributed to the inmates. 59 orphaned girl children of Balika Sadanam were also treated with sweets and a sumptuous meal on an auspicious day.
With the aim of inculcating Ethical Value and high moral standards among youngsters, a quiz on Ramayanam was organized during the holy month of Karkidakam. More than 50 students from class 3 to 10 took part actively in the quiz and attractive prizes were distributed to the winners.
A major project undertaken by the Trust this year was in building a NAKSHATRA VRIKSHA GARDEN as part of Govt. Social Forestry program. 30 cents of temple land was allocated for the purpose. 27 tree saplings corresponding to each star as per Hindu Astrology were procured and sown after performing a Nakshatra Vriksha Yagna by the Temple Tantri. Sri K.K.Narayanan MLA threw open the beautiful garden on August 9, 2015. Signatures of all villagers who took part in the yagna were collected and exhibited for creating awareness among the future generation on the importance of preserving Mother Nature.
A grand ‘Logo Unveiling Meeting’ was organized in the month of July this year to unveil the LOGO of the trust and to induct the Chief Patron for the Trust. Chenda fame, PADMASREE MATTANNUR SANKARANKUTTY MARAR accepted our request and was officially inducted as the Chief Patron of the Trust. He has taken oath to do all necessary help in furthering the interests of the Trust and helping the poor.
With an objective to promote health awareness among the elderly people, the trust has started a 60+ Health club, where, everything about old-age health issues is discussed. 4 batches of Yoga and Meditation classes were conducted, attracting good attendance from gents as well as ladies. Shortly, Geriatric experts and doctors will be invited to address old-age issues.
With an aim of spreading awareness on the importance of singing religious hymes for mental peace, the trust has taken initiative in organizing a Bhajan Troop, comprising of children and young men, under the guidance of an experienced master. MACT Bhajana Sangham now performs on every Tuesday and Friday evening in Manikkiyil temple.
With an objective of providing affordable short temple visits and sight-seeing tours, Trust for the first time arranged a subsidized Kannur / Kasaragod Temple tour covering 12 famous temples in a single day, in 2 luxury buses. Only the bus hiring charges was shared equally among participants; all other incidental expenses, including food was borne by the trust. MACT has plans to arrange more such tours.
*Any other novel ideas from members and public are most welcome