By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JAN. 25. Festive India, a society recently launched to serve the underprivileged sections of the society, will distribute 10,000 food packets to the poor in six different places in the twin cities on the occasion of Republic Day.

The chairman of the Society, Mr. Denzil B. Atkinson, M.P., told reporters here on Thursday, that the distribution would begin at 10 a.m. near Charminar and continue later at Dilsukhnagar, Addagutta, Venkatapuram, Sanathnagar and Mehdipatnam in the afternoon. The programme would involve a cost of Rs. 1.20 lakhs raised through donations from banks and other institutions.

Inaugurated by the Governor at the joint celebrations of Ramzan and Christmas on December 24, the Society plans to distribute 1,000 suitcases to the poor during the Baisakhi and Mahavir Jayanthi celebrations on April 15, and 10,000 vests on Independence Day.

Mr. Atkinson said the aim of Festive India was to share the joy of festivals with the poor through caring and sharing. It would open chapters in all the State capitals and had already received requests from Kerala, Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu and Delhi for starting branches. The Society would later expand its activities to providing shelter to homeless, improving literacy, propagating the small family norm and eradicating child labour, the MP added.