Doha: Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA), Doha Qatar, a Mangalurean association at the forefront of cultural activity in Qatar is all geared up for their upcoming eagerly-awaited event ‘GVOM Taran Sanghi Wilfy Nite’.
The event will be held at Doha’s Grand Regency Hall on Friday, October 16 2015 at 5:30 pm sharp.
The winners of Gulf Voice of Mangalore from 2008 to 2014 will be on one stage for the first time with the renowned ‘Rebimbus family’ presenting the melodious immortal and ever memorable songs of the legend of Konkani music ’Konkan Kogull’ WilfyRebimbus. It would be a historic moment as GVOM stars Vinay Lewis, Ivan Fernandes, Gladys Lorenha, Reena D’Souza, Morvine Quadros and Joshal Sweeda D’Souza will perform with the legend’s family – ’Konkan Myna’ Meena Rebimbus, Veena and Vishwas.
The entire event will be compered by ace compere Leslie Rego. Accompanying music will be provided by music maestro Joswin Pinto and his team of talented musicians. Well-known comedians from Udupi diocese Merwyn Shirva, Alwyn Danthy Pernal and Royston Barkur are all set to tickle the funny bones of the Doha audience for the very first time, while D4 Dance group of Qatar will have everyone’s feet tapping with their moves.
The organizers have promised to make it a memorable evening for the enthusiastic Konkani audience of Qatar.
MCA SevaPuruskar – 2015 will be awarded to Joseph Crasta for his outstanding selfless service through his Snehalaya Orphanage Home for the Abandoned. The Award consists of Rs 1,00,000, a shawl, citation and a memento which will be conferred on him during the annual event in October this year. To be a part of the memorable, fun filled, significant evening on October 16, reserve your seats now. Gate Passes are available with MCA Committee members.
About Joseph Crasta
Joseph Crasta was an inter-state bus driver based in Mangaluru, blessed with a loving wife and two children. He met with a serious accident at Mumbai and was badly injured. At the time of his accident, he was the only earning member in his household.
Miraculously he escaped from near-death and slowly returned to normal life. During this trying period, his wife found a job which was very essential to look after her husband and family along with their ailing mother. Joseph was unable to go back to his earlier profession (bus driver) due to his physical condition. It was a crucial period for him in his life. He depended only on The Almighty God and continued his prayer. It was a turning point that made him think about the poor abandoned people in the society.
One day he saw a mentally ill lady in the fish market of Mangaluru city, drinking water from the iced fish dish (container). Immediately he picked the lady and made her wash herself. After providing food from a nearby restaurant and getting required clothes to wear, he took her to his home with the help of some people in the market. Joseph’s family warmly welcomed and accepted her at their home. The woman was further treated with preliminary care, such as hair cut, proper bath and clothing. The very next morning Joseph took her to the hospital. Upon being found mentally sound, this lady was taken to an old age home for women.
Joseph continued with these kinds of missions for a period of three months with the help and co-ordination with various charity institutions. Further he thought of establishing an asylum to accommodate people in the streets, at least for men. His concern was how to manage and arrange a destitute home for these kind of neglected people. He then unexpectedly got his share of paternal property. He believed this chance as a divine gift to start a home for the poor abandoned destitutes. Immediately, after receiving the property documents he sold it out and purchased a landed property along with a constructed home. Further he initiated and organized a Charitable Trust with like-minded people, and thus Snehalaya Charitable Trust came into existence.
Joseph Crasta and his Snehalaya service teams continue their mission with love, care and services by following the path of Mother Teresa. Almost all the inmates which Snehalaya receives suffer from mild, moderated or severe mental illness and they are treated irrespective of religion, caste, creed and states unconditionally with total dedication.
Snehalaya Trust runs Psycho Social Rehabilitation Centre and the recently established new unit called ’Snehalaya Palana Samithi’. A special mission Called ’SnehalayaMannah’ to serve food for the poor bystanders and those attending to patients in government hospitals in Mangaluru and Kasargod was launched recently.
In recognition of his great service to mankind, Mangalore Cultural Association decided to honour Joseph Crasta with the ‘MCA Seva Puruskar – 2015’.
