Monday, September 19 2005 15:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kayamkulam: Vice President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, handed over 50 houses built by the 'Malayala Manorama' daily for the tsunami affected families at nearby Tharayilkadavu in Kerala's Alapzuha district this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Shekhawat said the four pillars of democracy need to work jointly for improving governance with focus on promoting peoples' welfare, progress and development to achieve the vision of a fully developed, prosperous and strong India by 2020.

'It has been my conviction that democracy will survive and succeed only if it promotes welfare of the poor and the under privileged who are having little access to basic education, health care and shelter', he said.

Called 'Snehatheeram', the houses have been insured for10 years against natural calamities, including tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, besides fire mishaps.

To mark the occasion, Malayala Manorama Managing Editor, Philip Mathew, handed over a symbolic key to the Vice President who in turn handed it over to state Revenue minister K M Mani.

Of the houses, 39 are double storied and 11 single storied.