In a heartwarming recognition of compassion and commitment, Corrine Antoinette Rasquinha, founder of White Doves Psychiatric Nursing and Destitute Home, has been honoured with the prestigious Karnataka Rajyotsava Award for her exceptional service to the community.

For more than two decades, Corrine has dedicated her life to uplifting the destitute, mentally ill, and abandoned individuals, offering them not just shelter but also dignity, care, and a chance at a better life. Her journey, deeply rooted in faith and empathy, continues to inspire countless others across Karnataka and beyond.

A mission of compassion

Corrine Rasquinha’s work through White Doves, a charitable trust established in 2001, has become a symbol of humanity in action. Her mission began in the early 1990s after a spiritual awakening that moved her to reach out to the forgotten and forsaken in society.

She and a few companions started visiting government hospitals and caregiving institutions in Mangaluru, where they witnessed the pain and neglect endured by destitute patients discharged with nowhere to go. The heart-wrenching sight of mentally challenged women being exploited and left to fend for themselves on the streets compelled Corrine to act decisively — and thus, White Doves was born.

Building homes of hope

Between 2001 and 2019, White Doves operated two free-lease rehabilitation homes in Mangaluru — one for men and one for women. These homes provided shelter, food, medical care, and rehabilitation for destitute individuals, many of whom were rescued from streets and railway stations in dire conditions.

Once admitted, each individual received holistic care and treatment. Corrine’s team worked tirelessly to trace families and reunite rehabilitated persons with their loved ones — a mission that has seen numerous success stories over the years.

Corrine’s leadership style has always been compassionate and personal. The White Doves homes are known for their homely atmosphere, which aids recovery by replacing institutional coldness with love and warmth.

Triumph over adversity

Corrine’s journey has not been without challenges. In 2009, she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. While she was recovering, she contracted Hepatitis B, leaving her critically ill.

Doctors had nearly given up hope, but through her unyielding willpower and the prayers of thousands, she miraculously recovered. Corrine often recalls this as a divine intervention that strengthened her resolve to continue serving humanity.

The new White Doves facility

In 2016, White Doves began constructing a state-of-the-art Psychiatric Nursing and Destitute Home at Maroli, Kulshekar, Mangaluru. Completed and inaugurated on 17 February 2019, the 200-bed facility offers comprehensive psychiatric care, rehabilitation, and shelter to the destitute.

All residents from the earlier homes were shifted to the new premises, marking a new chapter in the trust’s journey. The modern centre provides professional psychiatric services alongside spiritual and emotional care — ensuring every resident feels seen, valued, and loved.

Recognition well deserved

The Karnataka Government’s Rajyotsava Award stands as a fitting tribute to Corrine Rasquinha’s lifelong service. Her selfless efforts have restored faith, dignity, and belonging to those whom society had forgotten.

Her story exemplifies the spirit of Karnataka — one of resilience, humanity, and compassion. As Corrine humbly continues her mission, the recognition serves not just as an honour for her, but as a celebration of hope for all those she serves