Mizoram governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai on Friday said caring for the poor, orphaned and underprivileged people was truly a divine ministry.

Accompanied by his wife Reetha Sreedharan, Pillai paid a visit to various orphanages here and presented Christmas gifts to the inmates.

While visiting Motherless Babies Home at two separate localities — Tuikual and Khatla, and Gan Sabra at Zonuam neighbourhood here, Pillai said serving the poor and orphaned was a true way of worshipping God.

He lauded the authority and staff at the orphanages for their dedication and commendable job in serving the orphans.

His desire to witness and experience the life that the poor inmates were facing encouraged him to visit the homes, he said.

While the Motherless Babies Home at Khatla is run by Mizo Hmeichhe Tangrual Pâwl, a women’s group, its Tuikual counterpart is run by the Salvation Army (Church).

The Gran Sabra at Zonuam is run by a group of volunteers.

The governor on Thursday had paid a visit to a Presbyterian Church-sponsored home, Hmangaihna In, and an orphanage run by a group of volunteers, Thutak Nunpuitute Team (TNT), at Zuangtui on the outskirts of Aizawl.

He was accorded a warm welcome by the authorities and inmates with special functions being organised.

He also interacted with the management and praised them for their outstanding service.

The governor distributed rice bags, cash assistance and Christmas gifts in all the homes which he visited.

There are 20 children, including 12 girls, at Hmangaihna In, which is manned by Mizoram Synod under its Integrated Child Protection Scheme.

The Hmangaihna In was founded by Dr Sangthankima. It is considered to be the largest orphanage in the state with about 1,855 inmates, mostly young children.