Mysuru: Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, as part of his 75th birthday celebrations, distributed 88 sewing machines to the poor, economically-weaker persons and for differently-abled at a programme organised at Nada Mantapa in Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashrama on Ooty Road here yesterday.

The sewing machines were purchased from the pocket money of children of American  devotees who had donated the money.

While 36 sewing machines were given to beneficiaries from Sogala village in Channapatna taluk, Sogalapalya, Vaddaradoddi, Kaligere and Neraluru, 15 sewing machines were distributed to Pourakarmikas of MCC and five machines to Pourakarmikas of Hunsur.

In all, 22 sewing machines were given to the differently-abled, eight machines to the economically-weaker persons from Bengaluru district and two machines for persons from Mysuru.

Junior Pontiff Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji was also present.