Mangalore: Joseph Crasta - Changing Lives for Better through Snehalaya

Jan 21, 2010

Mangalore, Jan 21: Serving poor, sick and destitute makes his day. Joseph Crasta’s life reads like a Parable of Good Samaritan.

A miraculous escape in a major bus accident wherein Crasta was a driver changed his life for better. The incident made him realize the value of life and he set on a mission to better lives. Crasta’s love and care has given a new lease of life to numerous destitute. He daily visits public places such as railway station in Hampankatta and Nehru Maidan in the city to feed the under-privileged. He not only provides food, but most of the time convinces them to lead a better life away from streets.

After purchasing an old house near Tumbinadu, Joseph soon got an opportunity to accommodate destitute many among who were either mentally retarded or suffering from Filaria, HIV and other diseases. So far he has changed lives of over 30 people for better accommodating them in the orphanage and since returned to various destinations. He has accommodated eight persons permanently in the orphanage, who either have nowhere to go or simply want to spend their life under his care.














This apart, he provides meals for at least 20 destitute daily and also gives bath, haircut and clothes whenever he finds someone in need during his visit across the city. He also provides them with medical facility. Out of 26 people picked from the roadside ten of them have been sent to Shimoga, 11 to Snehalaya with the rest returning homes. Mentally retarded, handicapped, sufferers from Filaria, and HIV patients are in this list. He has also helped few alcoholics get a new lease of life by getting them treated at rehabilitation centres.

Further, due to the shortage of facilities in his orphanage, he has sent most of them to Mother Theresa home in the city apart from Vishwasada Mane in Shankarpura, Olavinahalli near K C Road, Ullal and also to Snehalaya in Kanhangad depending on their sickness and disability.  

Joseph, now as a source of income is into real estate business and doing well for himself. Attributing all this to god’s grace, he says that the days spent in Divine Centre changed him as a person while serving meal packets near railway station in the city. Crasta always keeps meal packets in his two-wheeler and feeds the hungry destitute, whenever he finds one. Serving the needy is life’s real luxury, he adds.

Crasta with the aim to do something more for the poor and destitute has formed a trust, Snehalaya Charitable Trust of which he is a managing trustee. The trust has four trustees and several members. His plan to provide shelter to more number of people will be carried out only through the help of more donors. “If donors with their large-heartedness provide opportunity to Snehalaya it can reach more people in need, he says.

Contributions can be made to Account No 30826138336, State Bank of India, Kankanady branch.

Joseph Crasta can be contacted at:
Snehalaya Charitable Trust (R),
J M J House, D No 9/51
Near Ramashakthi Mission
Shakthinagar, Mangalore-575005
Mobile +91 97411 13882
  

By Rajesh S - Daijiworld Media Network
To submit your article / poem / short story to Daijiworld, please email it to news@daijiworld.com mentioning 'Article/poem submission for daijiworld' in the subject line. Please note the following:

  • The article / poem / short story should be original and previously unpublished in other websites except in the personal blog of the author. We will cross-check the originality of the article, and if found to be copied from another source in whole or in parts without appropriate acknowledgment, the submission will be rejected.
  • The author of the poem / article / short story should include a brief self-introduction limited to 500 characters and his/her recent picture (optional). Pictures relevant to the article may also be sent (optional), provided they are not bound by copyright. Travelogues should be sent along with relevant pictures not sourced from the Internet. Travelogues without relevant pictures will be rejected.
  • In case of a short story / article, the write-up should be at least one-and-a-half pages in word document in Times New Roman font 12 (or, about 700-800 words). Contributors are requested to keep their write-ups limited to a maximum of four pages. Longer write-ups may be sent in parts to publish in installments. Each installment should be sent within a week of the previous installment. A single poem sent for publication should be at least 3/4th of a page in length. Multiple short poems may be submitted for single publication.
  • All submissions should be in Microsoft Word format or text file. Pictures should not be larger than 1000 pixels in width, and of good resolution. Pictures should be attached separately in the mail and may be numbered if the author wants them to be placed in order.
  • Submission of the article / poem / short story does not automatically entail that it would be published. Daijiworld editors will examine each submission and decide on its acceptance/rejection purely based on merit.
  • Daijiworld reserves the right to edit the submission if necessary for grammar and spelling, without compromising on the author's tone and message.
  • Daijiworld reserves the right to reject submissions without prior notice. Mails/calls on the status of the submission will not be entertained. Contributors are requested to be patient.
  • The article / poem / short story should not be targeted directly or indirectly at any individual/group/community. Daijiworld will not assume responsibility for factual errors in the submission.
  • Once accepted, the article / poem / short story will be published as and when we have space. Publication may take up to four weeks from the date of submission of the write-up, depending on the number of submissions we receive. No author will be published twice in succession or twice within a fortnight.
  • Time-bound articles (example, on Mother's Day) should be sent at least a week in advance. Please specify the occasion as well as the date on which you would like it published while sending the write-up.

Comment on this article

  • g.j.mohan, bangalore

    Sun, Aug 10 2014

    Dear sir,
    I really appreciate your good work. may your tribe increase. I am secretary for krishna trust, school for special children which is in bangalore. i heard there is one residential home for mentally challenged aged persons in manjeshwar. if you know about this kindly send its address so that many people could get benefit.
    regards
    g.j.mohan

  • zeeta apos, mangalore

    Wed, Jan 04 2012

    good work brother.

  • Nolda, Udupi / Mumbai

    Wed, Jan 27 2010

    Joseph Crasta has well understood God's call. Well done, keep it up.

  • William, MANGALORE/DUBAI

    Mon, Jan 25 2010

    Really doing a wonderful job by being a true Christian. "Helping hands are better than praying lips". May God Bless You & your family abuduntly.

  • Shanthi, Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 24 2010

    Wonderful Job. May Almighty God Bless You and keep you in good health and I will keep you in my prayer.......

  • Bharath.K, Mangalore / Qatar

    Sun, Jan 24 2010

    Dear Real hero JOSEPH, Lord Krishna Bless you.....

  • nancy, lower bendur

    Sat, Jan 23 2010

    Dear Mr. Crasta, God bless you always for the good work and example you have been showing to the world. May God keep you always in good health and bless you and your team abundantly.

  • A.S.Mathew, U.S.A.

    Sat, Jan 23 2010

    Brother Joseph, this is an inspiring news, and God may richly bless you to do more service in the days ahead. Many people may wonder, how some people are called by God to touch the lives of the destitutes? In 2006, while I was facing some unexpected and painful events in life, God led to do something which I have watched with pain from the plane years back in Bombay, very close to the runway the hard and dirty scene of slum life. With three other people, I got a chance to participate in a medical camp for a day in Delhi. It was the most touching life experience of life. I didn't eat any solid food for 10 hours, the filth and smell was terrible, but I could enjoy great inner peace and joy that I have never experienced in life. Until we try to get into that shoes of service and compassion, we will never feel the joy of worshipping God through serving the poorest of the poor. "Religion is man's total reaction upon life" Ibid " My creed is this: Happiness in the only good. The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now. The way to be happy is to help others so" Robert Green Ingersoll. " Any religion that profess to be concerned with the souls of men and is not concerned with the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them, is a dry-as-dust religion" Martin Luther King. " Religion is nothing else but love of God and man" Ibid

  • ANIL, BELA / DUBAI

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    Dear Joseph Hats up, you are doing a great job may God bless you. I wish you very best in your mission.

  • Sathish, Mangalore/USA

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    May god bless you Joe.. You are really doing a great work! We ppl should learn a lot from you.

  • Fr. Vincent Menezes, Cascia, Mangalore

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    To carry out the legacy left behind by Jesus is our prime duty." Whatsoever you have done to the least of my brotheren is done unto me" said Jesus. All the best to you and may God bless you. Praying for your good work.

  • kishore dsouza, talapady/bahrain

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    hi,joseph well done.may god bless u and ur family abundantly.keep it up.

  • WALTER, PALIMAR

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    good job.GOD BLESS YOU.

  • Imtiaz, Saudi

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    Dear Josesh! u r doing a great job, may Allah fill the hearts of all human beings as u do., may all ur dreams come true., keep up this good work., Jai ho

  • jaya mariete lobo, Konchady, Mangalore

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    God bless you Br. Joseph. Our prayers and good wishes are always there for you. God has really chosen you for this task and so donot look back our support will always be there. Jaya Mariete Lobo & Fly HOLY TRINITY, Mangalore

  • felcita, mangalore

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    Good work and good will works wonder !! Because of some people like Joseph, our country is alive. continue joseph , Jesus is your refuge. God Bless You.

  • Felix. F., India/Ksa

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    While commending the excellant work that is being done by Joseph, I wish to say that , what Joseph is doing is what Mother Theresa, and other religious help centers are doing For personal satisfaction/happiness and thinking that they would be pleasing God by their good actions. If tomorrow Joseph decides to quit this good work, then some will be hungry again. Mangalore needs workers, who will fight the cause of the poor, by making the state responsible for feeding those who cannot afford to buy food and medicines. India is not poor like yester years. Though there are free medical and educational facilites for poor, I dont think the state has any facilities (I am not talking about the ashrams run by religious institutions) like free food or money to buy food. This work should be done on a non emotional and non religious thinking basis. Only then the poor will actually tend gain and not otherwise

  • Avil D'souza, Attinja, Shirva

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    Dear Joseph, you are one of the rare human being who does such kind of humanitarian work. God bless you abundantly and keep you happy always.

  • Richard Mendonca, Vamanjoor/Abu Dhabi

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    Well done dear Joseph Crasta, you are doing a great job on earth. You must be having a great family witht the same desire to serve the destitue. All the best I will keep in touch.

  • joseph barnardt, Thokkottu mangalore/U.A.E.Dubai

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    joseph god bless you . praise the lord.

  • Wilfred Crasta, Bela/Jeddah

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    You are doing a great a job dear Joseph. My late grandmother use to like you a lot. She must have seen your kind heart at your very young age. Proud to say that I belong to your parish. I have lot to learn from you.

  • Henry Lewis, Sastan/Kuwait

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    dear Joseph you are doing a great work may God bless you in all you do you have shown hope for the hopeless I wish you every best in your mission

  • ASHA & HILDA, MANGALORE/ISRAEL

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    PRAISE THE LORD. WE GOT THE OPERTUNITY TO VISIT YOUR ORPHANAGE. YOUR DOING SUCH A WONDERFUL GOOD JOB. WE ARE APPRICIATE YOU. THANKS FOR UR SERVICE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU. JOSEPH OUR PRAYERS ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU.

  • Stella vaz, Pangala/London

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    Good work.you really got a good Heart,God has sent you to open up other people heart and Mind.keep it up,god bless you,hats off to you joseph

  • abdul , dubai

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    Hats of to you Mr. Joseph ur really doing a good job.

  • BONIFACE, Mangalore/Abu Dhabi

    Fri, Jan 22 2010

    Indeed Mr. Joseph is doing a great job as an individual. While I Appreciate Mr. Joseph’s work for destitute, I do support the suggestion put forward by Mr. Francis Lobo, Bejai, Mangalore. It would be a great help when like minded people come together to establish an organization to work for poor. Furthermore, when donors’ money is centralized and audited, the funds can be best utilized for the right cause. Recently support requirement is not limited to betterment of destitute only many personnel need support in legal matters, deprived from their rights by corrupt officials, harassments by government officials, right guidance towards education. Support need not be in monetary way, it can also be other ways, like doctors can extend their support for ill people, lawyers can also extend their help support in legal matters. If not all, at least we being Christian having faith in Christ can come together for this common goal rather than limiting our comments to praise only.

  • Lily Chandran, kushekar/Kelarai

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Praise the Lord. Little did I know about you when I was first being introduced by Brother Elias regarding the good work you have been doing for the little bretheren. It was an inspiration for me to join hands with you in this task and also introduce to my friends and relatives. Congratulations to Daiji for releasing this article and making known to the masses. I am with you Joseph and assure you of my help. May God bless you and give you more strength to cary on this mission. Lily Chandran

  • anil thomas dsilva, mangalore-adyar/middle east

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    good job friend,,,, u will get lots of blessings from the poors,, wish u all the best for your great work and for your future,,

  • Ronald De costa, Kuwait

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Hats up to you joseph. Its a wonderful job. You are a good samaritan. God really with you dont worry keep on stepping.I pray to God keep you healthy n solve your problems I thank our Daiji world for publish like this article.Dear readers we will join our hands with Joseph crasta .

  • Melwin D'souza/Q8, M'lor/Milar

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Its wonderful job your doing Mr.Joseph Crasta. God bless you and your Family.I Know you. very well

  • ALFRED NIRMALA&AARON, KUMBLA/JEDDAH

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    God blees you joseph , wonderfull job, good samaritan. god bless you and keep you & your family happy to serve the poor and sick .our prayers are always with you.

  • roshan, bela

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    hey joseph, i am with u, will meet u in april

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Thanks and All the best Mr. Joseph Crasta...to do such a work one needs not only money, but a very big heart, which you have.

  • A.D'Cunha Shenoy, Mangaluru

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Feeding the hungry, helping the sick and embracing the downtrodden should be everyones duty. When you see these people anywhere help them and don't wait for others to help. When you see people being helped you feel the gratitude from them. Mr Crasta you are showing the way.

  • Noel Pereira, Mangalore/Toronto Canada

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    May there more people like you in the world. The world would be a better place. May each of us committ to do something positive to help those who are marginalized by society.

  • PETER AUSTIN, MUDIPU / ISRAEL

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    HI, JOSEPH WE ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU, GOD BLESS YOU, WE WILL VISIT SOON TO YOUR CHARITY HOME. OUR PRAYER ALWAYS WITH YOU.

  • Dev, Mangalore

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    U are the Good Samaritan of the Bible now, May God Bless u more & give u more strength to serve more people. The Kingdom of Heaven is for U & all God's servants. U are showing the world the true spirit of Christianity. Mother Theresa showed to the whole World-the True Essence of Christianity By her Untiring Service to the needy,deprived, sick & orphans.

  • Oliver Mark D Souza, Bajpe/Dubai

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Great work Joseph Crasta.May God bless you.

  • dianadaisy and veronica, mangalore derebail

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    joseph you really our a good samaritan in mangalore

  • STANY BELA, DUBAI/U.A.E

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Hats up for u Joseph....carry on....

  • Bennet Menezes, Bejai, Mangalore

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Br.Joseph GOD be withyou in all your endavours.We assure you our prayers,help& support always.

  • dsa m, Mangalore

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Dear Mrs. Dsouza, The bank account details are given at the end of the article before the addresss.

  • Judith L, Mumbai

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    We should have more of Mr. Joseph kind in our society than those who sit endlessly praying in the churches to show how holy they are

  • Alwyn, Mangalore

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Contributions can be made to Account No 30826138336, State Bank of India, Kankanady branch. MRS D'SOUZA, MUMBAI Plz read from top to bottom, u'll surely find BANK DETAILS FOR U R USE

  • wilma, mangalore

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Praise the lord. May god bless u & give u the strength to help more people.i deffinetely want to visit your charity home.

  • MRS D'SOUZA, MUMBAI

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    GOOD WORK. WOULD BE GOOD IF YOU COULD PUBLISH YOUR BANK DETAILS SO THAT DONORS CAN CONTRIBUTE.

  • P. A. L. RASQUINHA, MANGALORE

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    GOOD WORK MR. CRASTA. BUT KINDLY ARRANGE TO FURNISH YOUR AUDITED ACCOUNTS WITH DETAILS OF DONATIONS RECEIVED AND HOW HAVE YOU SPENT THE SAME.

  • Shiva Shetty, Kateel / AUH

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    God Bless you Joseph, ur really doing a good job.

  • kusuma, Italy

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Joseph you are doing a wonderful job and people always struggle to sacrifice something for other and that also those who have .in this this case you are a good model to all humanity.thanks for your service may many more will come forward to help needed humanity

  • Jostin Dsa, Kolalgiri/Dubai

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Hats off to you Sir, May God bless you and give all success in your job

  • Precilla, Shirva/Dubai

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Touched by your charitable work. Well done joseph, keep up the good work, God Bless you

  • FR FELIX MONTEIRO, MANGALORE

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Dear Joseph, You are doing very good charitable work. God bless you and may you be able to help many more needy ones.May the people of good will come to your assistance in your noble work.God bless you and your family with good health, peace and prosperity. May many more walk in your foot step...

  • pramila, nanthoor

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    praise the Lord! Dear Joseph I really praise God today for His inspiration in doing good jobs. liite things that you do with much love. which is more important. I really appreciate you good works and always pray for you that, God may bless you to do much graeter things with great love wish you Jesus sr pramila v.

  • Kishore, Udupi/Dubai

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Good Job. God Bless you.

  • Uday Rodrigues, Jeddah/KSA

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Hats of to you dear Mr. Joseph, I have personally seen when you serve the poor. God always bless and protect you.

  • Lancelot N Tauro, Doha Qatar

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    SHOWERS OF SHOWERS BLESSINGS on DEAR Joseph. Realy U. R. like Mother Theresa. WE are PROUD of your service SIR.

  • Francis Lobo, Bejai,Mangalore

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    I really appreciate the work being done by Joseph for the destitute.Recently I saw the work being done by White Dows ,who as a NGO work for the betterment of destitue people and do similar work like Joseph. The St Jospeh Asylum Mangalore is doing similar work .But I feel rather than individuals starting their NGO's and working for the cause ,why not like minded people come together and do the work together,so that the funds donated by the people can be put to better use like building common facilities and a common cause

  • joylin, talapady

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    hello! joseph i m very happy to see ur work ..... doing such a wonderful job.pls dont stop this gods work .god bless you & ur work

  • BENET NAVITHA MORAS, MANGALORE,KUWAIT

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    DEAR JOSEPH, MAY GOD BLESS YOU.YOU ARE REAL CATHOLIC.YOU ARE DOING LORDS WISH SO PLEASE DONT STOP DOING THIS KEEP DOING THIS SO THAT MANY PEOPLE WILL COME TO HELP YOU.GOD HAS ED YOU TO SHARE YOUR LOVE AND PEACE.WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW THAT RICH PEOPLE CANT DO IT AND CANT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.THEY KNOW TO LIVE THEM SELVES.POOR PEOPLE CAN HELP POORS.RICH PEOPLE ARE HELPING ONLY TO GET THE NAME AND PUBLICITY.

    THEY CANT FEEL THE PAIN WHAT POOR PEOPLE ARE GOING THRU.JOSEPH IS A PERFECT MAN.ITS NOT EASY WHAT HE IS DOING.GIVING BATH,CUTTING THEIR HAIR.ITS GOD WHO IS DOING THIS.GOD IS SHOWING US OPEN YOUR EYES AND SEE WHAT I AM DOING.SHARE YOUR LOVE PEACE TO SUCH PEOPLE WHO NEEDS IT DONT IGNORE THEM.THEY ARE YOUR BROTHER AND SISTER.JOSEPH MY BLESSINGS AND PRAYERS ALWAYS WITH YOU.

  • Judith L, Mumbai

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    John, you are  definitely a role model for all who aspire to help the poor and needy but in only in words, you are doing so in kind. God will definitely bless you and your family and your generations forever. I feel if every human being does his bit of helping the poor and needy, this World will be a peaceful and happy World.

  • Clifford Correa, Bejai, Kuwait

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    May GOD BLESS YOU JOSEPH AND YOUR FAMILY ABUNDANTLY FOR THE WONDERFUL WORK YOU ARE DOING. Our prays are always with you

  • godfrey, mangalore

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    well job joseph i m very thankful to ur work .god will give all help which you realy needed

  • alphonse mendonsa, Pangla/Abu Dhabi

    Thu, Jan 21 2010

    Dear Joseph, We are all called for this mission but only a few venture into the service of poor and destitutes. God Bless you Joseph and seek more donors for yr charitable work.

  • shakeer ahamed, mangalore / dubai

    Wed, Jan 20 2010

    hats for u dear,its one of the wonderful job and responsibility of we human being have for got to do.keep it up i pray allaha that u dreams come always fulfil and be happy always.

  • holyland tours & travels, mangalore

    Wed, Jan 20 2010

    well joseph continue this work god give you long life to n ur family..... also he will bless ur job. luke 14:11

  • cynthiGoveas , Sullia/Sharjah

    Wed, Jan 20 2010

    Praise the lord ! glory to you lord! this is thank you lord that you have given good samaritan.lord give him more power of the spirit and bless his thougts so he can support more people.I knew him very well he was my clasmate and howe good he is., Joseph i am very happy to see you with lord's work we will keep u in our prayer may almighty will bless u and support u in your every steps that your taking up with love of poor & sickpeople.O lord bless himforever Best Regards, Cynthia

  • Prashanth Poojary, Karkala/ Abu Dhabi

    Wed, Jan 20 2010

    Heart touching article,Joesph knows the ultimate truth of human life,and its norms.We should learn at least a bit from his life style.This time i will visit Joseph and will see his charity home and will suport him with whatever possible in my extend.JOESPH U ARE DOING A DISTINGUISHED JOB,KEEP IT MATE.

  • Oliver Mascarenhas, Mangalore / Dubai

    Wed, Jan 20 2010

    GOD Bless you Joseph! Doing what the LORD wants brings HEAVEN on earth. That's what you have done! WALKING the TALK....


Leave a Comment

Title: Mangalore: Joseph Crasta - Changing Lives for Better through Snehalaya



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.