Rice Bucket Challenge at Infopark donates rice to settlements

Kochi: Infopark's 'Rice Bucket Challenge' turned out to be a big hit in IT companies, with their employees collecting over three tons of rice, most of which was donated to 'Muthuva' settlements in Kothamangalam.

The two-week-long challenge was inaugurated by Principal Secretary, Industries and IT P H Kurian on September 5 on the occasion of Onam celebrations at Infopark.

Around 200 Muthuva families at Urulanthanni in Kuttampuzha panchayat in Ernakulam district received about two tons of rice, with the remaining set to be distributed to another settlement soon, a press release said.

The van bound for the settlement with the rice was flagged off by Infopark Chief Executive Officer, Hrishikesh Nair from the campus yesterday.

"The campaign has struck an emotional chord with thousands of people across the country due to its charitable appeal. Infopark will provide all possible support to such humanitarian initiatives," said Hrishikesh Nair.

The RBC was held with the backing from Minister for Welfare of Backward Communities, P K Jayalakshmi.

IT companies operating at Infopark Kochi and its satellite centre in Thrissur participated in the challenge.

Tribal Extension Officer of Idamalayar, George Maliekkal and Tribal Development Officer Moosa Ayakkodan were instrumental in the distribution of rice at the settlement at Urulanthanni.

The Rice Bucket Challenge is the Indian version of the popular ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which began in mid-2013 and has become viral.

Inspired by the ice bucket challenge, a Hyderabad-based woman journalist came up with the Rice Bucket Challenge, which requires people to donate as much rice as they wish to a needy person, post a picture with them on a social networking site, and nominate four others to attempt the challenge.