Ex-Minister Ramanath Rai Inaugurates ‘Rainwater Harvesting Project at Snehasadan on His 68th B-Day

Ex-Minister Ramanath Rai Inaugurates ‘Rainwater Harvesting Project at ‘Snehasadan’- a St Camillus Care Home, Kaikamba, Gurpur in the outskirts of Mangaluru, on His 68th Birthday

Mangaluru: ‘Snehasadan’- is a St Camillus Care Home located at Gurpura/Kaikamba, in the outskirts of Mangaluru run by the Camillian Fathers, who take care of the adults and children affected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The mission of ‘Snehasadan’ is to be a positive force in addressing the comprehensive needs of the sick, ensuring their dignity and overall quality of life, by motivating, caring, supporting and rehabilitating, with a priority for the care of special children. Their vision is to bring total health to all and to promote a culture of life ensuring human dignity in the given reality. Their core values are- Care, Compassion, Commitment and Competence.

“This is my vocation, this is my resolution and my entire purpose, to serve the poor sick, as serving my kings and princess, because in serving them I serve Christ our Redeemer”- had said St Camillus de Lellis, the Founder and patron of the Camillian Order who are called to serve their brothers and sisters-this means helping them to stand up and walk on their own, exercising their fear of the unknown and expanding their minds through education. It entails feeding them when they are too weak to feed themselves, opening their eyes to the realities of life, challenging them to let go of hurts and prejudices and liberating them to even-greater horizons of transcendence and beauty.

This is how the Camillians continue the healing ministry of Jesus so that ‘the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and deaf can hear, dead are raised to life-the good news is proclaimed to the poor (Luke 7:22). At “Snehasadan”, currently there are nearly 40 residential children and 10 adults, who are being cared for by the Camillian priests and staff- and it functions as one of the care and support initiatives of Sneha Charitable Trust owned and operated by Ministers of the Infirm (Camillians)-India. “Snehasadan” takes pride in core values” Care, Compassion, Commitment and Competence. It’s vision is to ensure human dignity in the given reality. Having a 65 + beds facility for the inmates, Snehasadan was built on 2 acres of land donated by Entrepreneur/MD of Eden Club., Mangaluru-Eugene Rent and family.

Even Pope Francis has praised the members of the Camillian Charismatic family for living their mission “in an exemplary way”by “assisting the sick, especially the poorest, in their bodily and spiritual needs, and teaching others the best way to serve them, for the benefit of the Church and of humanity”. Appreciating the work done at ‘Snehasadan’, Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha had said to the Camillians “God’s mercy and compassion is made manifest to the world through your ministry to the people in great distress. You have been helping them in their burdens. I invoke God’s blessings upon you and upon your ministry”.

It was a special day for Snehasadan as former minister of state Ramanath Rai celebrated his 68th Birthday with Snehakids, on Sunday, 13 September. It was a great joy for children, inmates and staff because he was the person who inaugurated the centre 20 years ago, on 4th January 2001. Ramanath Rai is an active political figure in Karnataka state, had always extended his hands to the poor and needy for their welfare, and he had rendered his support to Snehasadan, also. The Birthday celebration of Ex-minister Rai began at 3 pm, joined by many political leaders like U.P Ibrahim, President of Zilla Panchayat, Sachin Adapa, Sadasyaru Taluk Panchayath, Gurupura, among other local leaders and well-wishers.

Mrs. Jaklin Mary, the coordinator of Snehasadan, who compered the programme briefed about Snehasadan, followed by the welcome address by Rev. Fr. Teji Thomas MI, Director of Sneahsadan, where he welcomed Minister Rai with a shawl, and Mrs Mildred Prema Pinto, Staff Nurse, Snehasadan, and Rev. Fr. Jomin Thomas MI, Administrator, Snehasadan, garlanding and handing over bouquet of flowers respectively to minister Rai. and The little hands of sneha-kids were raised while they sang the Birthday wishes to Ramanath Rai which brought joy in all gathered. Delicious food and sweets were served to all inmates and staff.

Following a simple birthday celebration due to covid-19 restrictions, the inauguration of the Rain Water Harvesting Project, was done by Ramanath Rai, joined by the other guests present. Yes, we all know that water is life and clean water means health. The city of Mangaluru is facing acute shortage water many times. Till the rainy season started the main concern was providing people the collected water from Kinndy dam. Conditions in the villages was worry some, until the tankers provided water for the people. People who faced water shortage have become aware of the importance of water in their daily life. Deforestation has led the animals for their food and water to the living area of people. Garden greenery has been vanished. Lakes and river are dried out. Wells and ponds are without water, bore wells are out of water. Even the timely rain has given way to an extent. Its high time that we think of saving lives by saving drops.

Considering all these drawbacks and facts, Snehasadan had built a tank for rain water harvesting, consisting of 35.80 meters of length, 3 meters of height, 11.4 meters of width, with the capacity of 3 lakh liters of rain water collection. In order to clean the water four types of things are used-they are stone jelly, sand, charcoal and tiles. After it has been purified it is used for drinking and other daily uses. Remaining water after the purification has been sent to the bore well through the pump facility. In this way Senhasadan institute saves water. The ground water level is raised even in the neighborhood as it is collected back to the bore-well, said the expert.

Thus water purification and reuse is very important. The need of the hour is to save earth, save water resources by providing proper education to the people. By saving water we save nature. By saving nature we can save ourselves and the living beings. Snehasadan has become a model in this regard after the words of Pope Francis, “Let us be protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan, inscribed in nature protectors of one another and of the environment.”. We can live till we have water. Save water and avoid nature pollution which will save earth. This is the best way to help the future generation and the farmers for cultivation.

Fr Jomin Thomas MI, a gold medalist in Art, and Administrator at Snehasadan assisting Sneha-kids in painting work

Lockdown art on The Water Sump has been painted with lockdown art by the Sneha-kids under the direction of Fr Jomin Thomas MI, a gold medalist in Art from Kavilkulaguru Kalidas Snskrit University, in Ramtek, Maharashtra, and the administrator at Snehasadan. The paintings carry a the symbolic meaning of the present scenario of the society, especially the lockdown. Each painting conveys a message, “Save the lives and Save the Drops.”. The people gathered were happy to see the art pieces and appreciated the meaningful and thematic art works. The art works during the lockdown based on the life at Snehasadan were also displayed like mother of music, Blooming buds, and various feelings experienced in the inmates.

Speaking after the inauguration of the Project, Ramanath Rai said, “We need to appreciate what Snehasadan priests and staff are doing for these HIV affected kids, showing them love and care, just like their family. We should admire the service of these Christian priests and nuns who are involved in missionary work for the love of Christ. Christian religion is famous for peace, caring, love and harmony- and we should all be proud of it. And since we are still haunted by the pandemic, let us unleash these qualities to make the community free of hate, disharmony and violence. My sincere gratitude to the management and staff for their love and care for these HIV affected kids and adults, following in their vision to bring total health to all and to promote a culture of life ensuring human dignity in the given reality, and with their core values of Care, Compassion, Commitment and Competence. Long live, Snehasadan”.

Speaking on the occasion, Fr Teji Thomas MI, the Director of Snehasadan said, “The valuable service rendered to our organization by NGO’s , politicians including our beloved former minister Ramanath, our Doctors, Nurses, Counselors, Volunteers, Neighbours, partners in Health Care and Education; and our great friends from media, especially Team Mangalorean/Mangalorean.com, I am fortunate and blessed to live in this ‘Love Home’- a BIG family, since six years. It’s here I found, that- Doctors and Nurses care even when there is no cure; Even a ‘smile’ & ‘touch’ does miracles in the wounded persons even in the midst of sufferings; Even a stranger can turn on green signal light to wipe away the tears from eyes of many; The importance of ‘Good Will’ and God sends his warriors/Angels. My sincere thanks to you all for the role you play in making this home a ‘Love Home’. Thank you, all for gracing this occasion, and showing your love towards Snehasadan and Sneha-kids”.

While looking at all good work that Snehasadan does for these children, ending this column with Bible verse according to Mathew 25:35-36, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, ….”, we should know that giving is something done voluntarily. Giving should not be done under compulsion, coercion, duress, or conviction. There are some exceptions, of course. When you do give, you are to give what you have chosen in your heart. Those who take pity on those less fortunate than us are true neighbors and care givers.

So if you are looking for a way to enhance your act of sharing and giving experience, try giving back now. Let’s give to the less fortunate, ashrams, non-profit organizations, needy families and children, and others a feeling of hope, and make a difference in their lives. And one place you can donate some of your wealth is “Snehasadan” -a St Camillus Care Home, where the Community members are inviting well-wishers and friends to be partners in their endeavors to help the persons living with HIV to live a life of dignity. Open your hearts and give generously to a good cause and make a difference in the lives of these less fortunate.

For more details how you can contribute contact: Snehasadan-St Camillus Care Home, Kaikamba Post, Kaikamba-Mangaluru-574151 Ph: 0824-2258118; 2258119; 9686207119; 9448118119; Email : snehasadan05@gmail.com Website : www.snehacharitabletrust.org

I end this column with thought-provoking words of Saint Mother Teresa:

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in. I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things. A life not lived for others is not a life. Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

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