Mangalore: About 700 self-help group (under CODP) are coming together in city on March 4 (Sunday). A rally will commence at Balmatta at 9-30AM. It goes to Milagres school maidan, which is the venue of their convention.

Nearly 4000 self employed people from Udupi, Kinnigoli, Bajpe, Belthangady, Bantwal, Moodabidri, even Kasaragod are gathering as members of Canara organisation for development and peace (CODP). The 700 self-help group have 10640 persons of whom 90% are women.

A stage programme will be held from 11AM to 1PM and later, cultural programmes conducted by these groups will follow.

Chikkaballapur MP and Union minister M. Veerappa Moily will inaugurated the one-day convention. Mangalore Bishop will preside.

While Fr. F. D’Souza of Caritas India New Delhi is guest, Manjeshwar MLA, Abdul Razak, will be a guest honour.

Rita Noronha a social worker, speaker on people’s rights. The groups will sell vegetables raised and homely products prepared by them at the venue in various stalls. A press meet was held on Thursday.