Auto-rickshaw driver Joseph Crasta a Good Samaritan for beggars of Mangalore

By Alphonse Mendonsa

Mangalore, 10 Jul 2012: An auto-rickshaw driver has become a God to the road side beggars of Mangalore.  The society it seems very selfish and only worried about their own problems.   Whereas, this auto driver has proved exactly opposite and this has been proved by his way of helping the hundreds of beggars of roadside and has given a new life to them.  He is none other than Joseph Crasta of an Ashram called Shnehalaya which shelters and feeds many destitute today.  He is from a village called Bella of Kasargod district and he has brought smiles to many and ray of hope to live and a Good Samaritan to the society.  For the beggars he is their loving  beloved Jossi Anna (Brother Jossy)!.

 

 

In 2006 Joseph was working as a private bus driver for Mangalore- Mumbai long route.  However, his parents did not like him being away on a long journey for several days and insisted upon staying close by with a small job, no one knew why??  He too thought finally to work as an auto driver and stayed in Mangalore as per his parents wish.  One day he noticed a beggar woman trying to drink filth water out of extreme hunger.  Immediately Joseph rushed to her rescue and brought her a meal from nearby hotel.  This act brought tears of happiness to that lady and he felt her gratitude in her eyes, saw her smile and he was deeply moved this.  This became a turning point in Joseph’s life and led to the formation of Snehalaya a home for the destitute.  Out of his earnings as an auto driver, he saved some money and began arranging afternoon meals for the beggars of the roadside then on.

 

 

When the Mangalore and coastal Karnataka was attacked by deadly sickness Chickengunya, many job seekers who arrived from North Canara, Bijapura, Darawad fell sick by Chickengunya attack and had no money for treatment, Joseph came forward and helped them financially.

 

Looking at several beggars at the roadside, to give them a new life with a determination, with the help of his close friends, he formed the ashram Snehalaya  - Home for the destitute on 26th August 2009.  Incidentally this day happened to be Birth day of Saint of Gutters “Mother Teresa of Calcutta” who had brought smiles on thousands of under-nourished, underprivileged, poor and destitute people.

 

Today Snehalaya accommodates and looks after 20 destitute men and poor beggars from different states of India.

 

 

Initially family members of Joseph opposed his idea of social service but now his wife Olivia and children Josliya and Jovial too provide a helping hand to him.  To meet the daily expenses for medicine and food of 20 inmates, the private companies such as Yenapova builders and Vishwas builders have come forward and extend their helping hand.  Due to their financial help there is no much difficulty to look after these inmates so far says Joseph.

 

Until now only men are taken into the ashram but Joseph plans for a separate ashram for women as well.  Due to social exploitation and poverty of women, he plans to provide a comfortable stay for the suffering women.  This is his most important dream to provide them good shelter.  When many have taken social service as a business venture, Joseph is keeping far away from this thought and only wants to concentrate on social service and help the under-privileged and that is his only goal in life.

 

The beggars who used to suffer a lot on roadside today enjoy their comfortable life at the ashram.  When their beloved brother Joseph or their loving Jossy Anna comes to visit them, they rush to him and hug him in gratitude which is a sight to watch and it brings tears to eyes of those watch them.

 

If any one interested in helping Joseph, kindly contact him directly on +91-9036451931.

Courtesy: News Karnataka