Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Feb 15: ‘White Doves Psychiatric Nursing and Destitute Home’, a 200-bed facility for the destitute from White Doves will be inaugurated on February 17 at 10.30 am at Niddel, Gokarna Road.
Revealing the details of inauguration and service of White Doves, Jerome Coelho, secretary and treasurer, White Doves said, “Leslie Fernandes, philanthropist will inaugurate the building in the presence of Ramesh Kumar, speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly and other dignitaries.
“Dr Aloysius Paul, bishop emeritus, diocese of Mangaluru, will bless the building and the premises.
“Twenty-five years of dedicated service to humanity will culminate in the long cherished dream of the founder and president, Corrine Rasquinha, of the well known NGO White Doves. White Doves stands tall today with its 200-bed facility ‘White Doves Psychiatric Nursing and Destitute Home’ which is one-of-its-kind, with state-of-the-art facilities and the only one in Mangaluru.
“With a grateful heart, we thank the donors who came forward with their unflinching support by means of finances, material goods, prayers and good wishes. It sure goes to show that given an opportunity, there are many in this world who care about others” he added.
Corrine Rasquinha, founder and president, Vitus Rasquinha, trustee, Sunil Baliga, and Jerald Fernandes, manager were present.
About White Doves Psychiatric Nursing and Destitute Home
The Foundation for the White Doves Psychiatric Nursing and Destitute Home was laid on February 2, 2016 and has been brought to completion, the total cost working out to Rs 8 crore. The basement floor is for parking 15 vehicles, physiotherapy and handicraft making. The ground floor will house an Emergency Treatment Room, Therapy room, Doctors Room, Pharmacy, Patient Utility Room, Recreation Hall, Prayer Hall, Lobby, Kitchen Pantry, Dining Hall, Staff rooms and Offices. The first floor will have 4 wards and will house 100 men, staff rooms and nurse stations. The second floor will house 100 women.
The building has been designed by the leading architects Peter and Paul Mascarenhas of M/s Archi Technics.
About White Doves and Corrine Rasquinha
It all started 25 years ago, using God given talent of music to raise funds and buy medicine and other essentials for people lying uncared for by the families at the Government Wenlock and Lady Goschen hospitals. Corrine Rasquinha who is a singer, song writer and a musician herself brought together like minded musicians and singers to raise funds for the noble cause of helping the downtrodden by providing free medicines, education to students and help to build homes for the homeless. White Doves operates two homes for the destitute. One home for women and one for men in temporary premises and have rehabilitated over 600 destitute, caring and sheltering the abused, destitute and mentally challenged by providing selfless support.
Most of the inmates are from distant places starving and delirious. They are picked up from the streets, cleansed, medically treated and rehabilitated. All efforts are then made to locate the family of the rehabilitated person and happily reunite them over a period of time. Over 200 such cases have been reunited with their families all over India including Nepal and Bangladesh. White Doves also runs a home for children at Kulshekar and is presently taking care of the education and well being of 41 children. In addition the White Doves goes to the streets of the city late evenings, everyday, and locates many who live rough and starving through the day due to illness and lack of opportunity and distributes food to them. What started with 20 food packets 20 years ago, today over 175-200 is fed everyday on the streets. Food cooked at the White Doves Home is packed and taken to the streets everyday at 7 pm to feed the hungry and roofless unfortunates of Mangaluru. Homes for the homeless, medical relief from illness, support for education, monthly rations to deserving families are some of the works of charity undertaken by White Doves irrespective of caste or religion. White Doves does all these works of charity at no cost to the beneficiaries.