Mangalore: The management, inmates and select guests of the lifesaving, life giving NGO White Doves of Mangalore, celebrated India’s 72nd Independence Day in grand style. Coming together at7.30 AM in the morning yesterday at their home at Mannagudda, in Mangaluru, for the celebration of the Eucharist as it also happened to be the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the Christian faithful, the entire delegation then stood at attention and saluted the Tri color as it was proudly unfurled by the Chief Guest Dilraj Rodrigues, an innovative and popular Konkani Music artiste and a sailor by profession. Dignitaries accompanying the chief guest on the stage included Ms Corrinne A Rasquinha, Founder President and trustee Vitus P. Rasquinha, Trustee and Jerome G. Coelho, Secretary cum Treasurer and Trustee, N. S. Shruthi, Superintendent of Police, ACB, Western Range, Yogish, Inpsector ACB, Mangaluru, Michael D’Silva, the president of the Konkan Catholic Association (KCO) of Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Sunil Baliga, Sr. Accountant at the AG’s office in Bengaluru and Ms Wilma Sequeira of Cargo Lines. The unfurling of the National Flag was preceded by a march past by the inmates and followed by the singing of the National Anthem and a sumptuous breakfast.
The Chief Guest and The Superintendent of Police speaking after the flag was unfurled commended the work being done by White Doves to reduce the pain inflicted by social and economic compulsions, while Mr. Baliga suggested that we must address the root cause of the generation of destitution rather than only treat the symptom which though important, is not going to make the problem go away.
The Dignitaries then feted the staff and inmates with gifts
After breakfast, the inmates and guests had a gala time playing games, like musical chairs, bucketing the ball, T4 cricket, breaking the pot and volley ball, interspersed with dancing to some great trending music played by the DJ. The festivities were witnessed by DCP Law and Order, Hanumanthayya amongst others.
Prizes were given away to the winners and it was a memorable day for the inmates, management and guests alike.
About White Doves
After a personal encounter with the Lord (in her words), Corrine Rasquinha and a few companions started visiting the local Government Hospitals, care-giving institutions and so on….Seeing the misery, pain and deprivation of so many helpless and unwanted people – the destitute who had no place to go once they were discharged from the hospital, shocked them. The shocking sight of half-naked mentally challenged young girls, exploited and misused by antisocial elements, drunkards, addicts…. moved Corrine and the small band of companions to do something with determination and make a difference and thus was born White Doves, in the 1990’s in a small way. In 2001 it was registered as a trust, a labour of love and compassion which caters to all destitute irrespective of caste or creed.
The White Doves run two homes – one at Bejai for women and children and another at Mannagudda for the men. It is the loving caring staff that make White doves what it is – a home for the homeless – a real home, where one can consider himself or herself as part of a family. Rooted in goodness, these care givers who provide generous services working hard even at odd hours of the day or night with skill and forbearance, is a rare calling.
Soothing the wounds of the sick inmates, personal attention, efforts to keep happy the young and the old, bathing and nursing them, cleaning of all sorts, marketing, cooking, house keeping, attending to visitors and seekers are some of the areas of work. They are led by their Manager Gerard Fernandes and do great work. Money can buy a lot of things in this world, but the gift of loving, caring, and dedicated service providers to care for irrational psychiatric inmates and extreme cases that can be seen here, can only come from the Good Lord says the founder President.
New Project
White Doves has embarked on a mega project of building a Psychiatric Nursing Home & Destitute Home for their residents (currently housed in two homes across the city) on land leased out by His Lordship the Bishop of Mangalore Diocese at Maroli in Mangalore.
The White Doves Psychiatric Nursing Home & Destitute Home is coming up quickly and is designed to be a home to treat people picked up from the streets of Mangalore and surrounding areas. It is a 200-bed facility home with separate wards for male and female inmates and a well-equipped medical facility for doctors to treat the residents. Round-the-clock service, a counselling room, a recreation room with indoor recreation facilities, a clean and hygenic kitchen and dining room are the other facilities that will be available to the inmates here.
The project is nearing completion, and the NGO is hoping that it will be completed soon with the support of Philanthropists from the city, state and across the world. If you’d like to contribute – just visit http://whitedoves.in/Donors_Page.php
