Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 15: White Doves Home for Destitute at Matadakani has been bubbling with activity since two days with the inmates being taught to march and also to salute the national flag. The day began with Holy Mass celebrated Fr Richard D'Souza, director Canara communication. The inmates then marched to the ground in front for the hoisting of the National Flag.

Sunil Baliga, senior accountant at accountant generals (CAG) office Bengaluru also ex Karnataka state Volley ball captain and Dakshina Kannada district Kannada aajothsava awardee was the chief guest and J V D’mello ex corporator Mangaluru was the guest of honoor .

With the unfurling of the national flag the inmates, staff and friends of White Doves sang with gusto the national anthem and saluted the flag. The inmates mostly having psychiatric problems had to be taught over and over again how to salute and which hand to use while saluting still some of them keep forgetting said Corrine Rasquinha the founder president of White Doves.

A grand breakfast sponsored by Roystan and Amitha Prabhu followed the solemn function and then gifts were distributed to all inmates. The men seemed extremely overjoyed to get wrist watches and were seen wearing them straight away.

The inmates and friends of White Doves were divided into three groups for the games each having a captain and a vice-captain, and then the games went on full swing.

Great participation by all the inmates in sports like arm wrestling, breaking the pot, bowling into a bucket, spoon and lime race, tug of war were played with much enthusiasm. Points were given to the winning team. The highlight was the cricket match played by the staff, inmates and the friends of White Doves.

The president and members numbering 25 of O P Auto Park, Milagres brought added joy to the inmates as they distributed goodies to all the inmates. An entertainment programme by the members of Swadesha Seva Thanda will bring to close the day's celebration said the manager Jerald Fernandes.

Through the Holy Eucharistic celebration and the homily the Assumption of our Lady was highlighted. With the hoisting of the flag and a powerful speech on the Independence of our country and our duty towards our country given by J V D’mello made everyone patriotic. The gifts and the games brought great joy and contentment to all the inmates numbering 126 both young and old. The Programme was well compeered by Don Fernandes.