Mangaluru: A new building of Snehalaya, a prominent NGO which has rescued more than 700 destitute from in and around Mangaluru, will be inaugurated at Manjeshwar in Kerala on January 26.
Informing about the scheduled programme, Media Coordinator Geo Agrar on Monday, January 21 said, UAE Exchange President Y Sudheer Kumar Shetty will inaugurate the psycho-social rehabilitation centre for women and Yenepoya (deemed to be University) Deralakatte Chancellor Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi the Snehalaya Dining Hall. The Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Rev. Dr. Peter Paul D’Souza and Bishop of Bareilly Diocese will bless on the occasion.
The old age home for women will be inaugurated by Aishal Foundation, Uppala Chairman Abdul Latheef. As Snehalaya Charitable Trust is also observing decennial celebrations, a souvenir will also be released on the same occasion by St. Alphonsa Forane Church Vicar Rev. Fr. Sebastian Chalackappally. Capuchin Provincial Rev. Fr. Joseph Dolphy Pais will also be present at the programme, he informed.
How Snehalaya came into existence?
‘Snehalaya’ was established on August 26 on the birthday of St. Mother Theresa of Kolkota, by Joseph Crasta. A bus driver by profession, Joseph Crasta met with an accident and could not drive the bus after that. Hence, he moved to autorickshaw for livelihood. While he was riding his autorickshaw, he saw the hungry poor on the street eating garbage.
He started feed them with a meal with his own hand. He used to clean them, dress them up with new clothes, admit them to the hospital whenever required and later search for their relatives or native places. He has rescued around 700 people so far and 498 were reached to their respective houses all over India. Many of them are engineers or highly educated who left their houses after being either mentally upset or abandoned by their family members.
Joseph Crasta, while talking about the new building said, “I had a dream to construct a separate block for the women destitute. With the grace of God, my dream has realised now. As God has assigned me to serve the people, I have been doing so through my Snehalaya, Joseph adds.
Reception Committee President Roy Castelino, trustee Joseph Varghese, souvenir editor Raymond D’Cunha among others were present.
