White Doves to warm-up Mangalore in the Christmas Spirit -2011

White Doves to warm-up Mangalore in the Christmas Spirit -2011

Mangalore Today News Network

By I J Saldanha-Shet
Mangalore, Dec 7, 2011: CHRISTMAS in Mangalore is a unique experience since one can remember. For 17 year now, ‘WHITE DOVES’ have added a new dimension that is a special part of this Joyful season of love and warmth, enacting that wonder in a stable at Bethlehem over 2000 years ago! Yes, the CHRISTMAS ‘fact’ in their ‘act’ has over the last 17 years evolved into something for all people to behold and ponder. One needs to think and know what these ‘White Doves’ with all humane and Christ like duty at heart do for the less fortunate all through the year. How they struggle to contribute to the marginalized. They certainly make it Christmas for a few each and every day. It is worth to take a little time at this special season to ponder what each one of us could do and do it in our own unique way! Also give thought to actions like ’White Doves’

 

 

 

The ‘White Doves’ of Mangalore are a band of concerned and joyful people who spread  Peace and Blessings of Christmas through everyday of the year! At present they run two homes for the destitute, one at Jail Road off MG Road and the other at Mannagudda.  White Doves have undertaken this human work inspired by the teachings of Christ and the life of Mother Teresa of Kolkata as service to needy humans is to serve and worship GOD through Christ’s values. White Doves presently have over 85 inmates. And everyday come across more people having lost their minds and wondering in our streets. Space has become an issue but they still take these our brothers and sisters into our home and love and to care for them . They are taking food everyday cooked at the white doves homes to the streets to feed the hungry and it is saddening to see so many without even a single meal for the day, Corrine Rasquinha says, ’These people wait for us to bring the food in the evenings. We feed over 40 on the streets daily I am going to expand this ministry furthur.  On one side people are wasting food and the other there are people without any food’.

As Christmas approaches, the ‘White Doves’ extravaganza and the mega Truck show the story of JESUS  CHRIST. This pageant set in a ‘mobile’ frame suited to present times when everything is mobile and ‘mobiles’ are close to young and old. The spotlight on the wondrous birth of JESUS who came to free human kind from bondage of sin and show the path to salvation; moves the hearts and mind of those who see this ‘Biblical fact in a mobile act’ -  it will happen on  9,10,11 of December 2011; between 6 and 10 pm, at two different spots each evening - see the detailed programme at the end here. In a span of a little more than an hour the quality of the message of Peace Joy and Liberation is a moving deep down experience.

The language is very local and easily grasped, the music is as only the ‘White Doves’ can deliver, for they are well known for their music all over the world may I say. They specially provide musical support in churches here both in Konkani and English particularly for Weddings, family occasions and funerals it is known.

 

 

 

 

 

The whole show is moved on platform trucks, that serve as stages. The shows for understandable reasons is arranged in the evening soon after sunset. It has in the last couple of years acquired the quality of a ‘sound and light’ spectacle with no  gaps or waste of time between scenes, the whole show is very artistically professional with over 150 actively involved for each show.  The content, the authentic costumes and the performance it self is stunning and captures the heart and mind of young and old. The performers, over a hundred, are drawn for their talent and trained for weeks in advance with calculated precise movements.  In deed a crowed puller and people of all faiths come out and it’s value added message is inviting and unforgettable, seating is provided for the aged and sick. About half hour before the show the advance party of singers with popular instruments and digital sound reaches the spot and announces the programme at hand and foot taping C’mas carols fill the air, with the spectacle starting at the given time. Several costumed ‘Santas’ dancing to jingle bells cheer the people especially children with candies.

In early years it was limited to a live tableau/float of the nativity scene. Gradually it was expanded and presently portrays parables of the New Testament with local flavor blended for a better understanding, Christ’s death on the cross too is touched upon. It  thoroughly impresses one and all. It kindles in the onlooker the deep latent message of ‘CHRISTmas’ – that it is not only a time of merry making and commercial consumerism. The good things are often copied, and this too is seen in other cities and towns with their own variations and formats. As the show ends volunteers collect whatever the people desire to offer and the proceeds are used for the work of  the ‘White Doves’  among the marginalized visible before us.  May the White Doves of Peace and Joy bring you and all men of Goodwill many blessings in the coming NEW YEAR! Do make it a point to witness this at least once in a life time and add your mite to the efforts!

 

WATCH OUT FOR THE WHITE DOVES SHOW NEAR YOU
Between- December 9th & 11th,2011:

9th December, Friday:
(1). 6.00pm: Gandhi Maidan.Brahmavar.                                    
(2). 8.30pm:NehruMaidan,Kundapur.

10th December, Saturday:
(1).6pm: Kendra Maidan.Surathkal.
(2).8.30pm: Fr.Muller’s Grounds.Kankanady.

11th December, Sunday:  
(1). 6.pm: Nehru Maidan.Mangalore
(2).8.30pm:Padua High School Grounds.