Udupi: The Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo laid the foundation stone for the Manasa Autism Centre on April 5 in the premises of the Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Pamboor near here in the presence of present and past office bearers and members of the Catholic Sabha of Mangalore and Udupi Pradesh, Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre trustees, staff and students as well as the supporters and well-wishers of the institution.
Elroy Kiran Crasta, treasurer of the Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre, briefly narrated the background of the foundation of the Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre at Pamboor and its progress during the last 20 years and welcomed Bishop Lobo and other dignitaries present to the foundation stone laying ceremony.
Bishop Lobo conducted the prayer service assisted by Fr. Ferdinand Gonslaves, Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist Church, Shankerpura and Spiritual Director of the Catholic Sabha, Udupi Diocese and Dr. Gerald Pinto, former principal of Milagres College, Kallianpur, former president of the Catholic Sabha, Mangalore Pradesh and former Secretary of Manasa.
Following the prayer service, Bishop Lobo blessed the stones and laid the first stone into the specially dug pit.
Soon after the stone laying ceremony, a brief stage programme was held in the Manasa Hall and was presided over by Bishop Lobo. The other dignitaries on the dais included Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Fr. Harold Pereira, Director of Eighteen Diocesan Commissions, Valerian Fernandes, President of Catholic Sabha, Udupi Pradesh, Anil Lobo, President of Catholic Sabha, Mangalore Pradesh, Henry Menezes, President of Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Gretta D’Souza, representative of Shirva Welfare Association of Kuwait (SWAK) and Sr. Ancila Fernandes, Principal of Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre.
Following the welcome address by Henry Menezes, Sr. Ancila Ferandes presented a brief report of the various activities conducted at the Manasa institution. Since the inception of Manasa, 594 students with special abilities have been trained and rehabilitated by the institution. Presently there are 52 students with autism. Hence, it was decided by the Catholic Sabha to set up a separate building with facilities to train and educate such children.
In his address, Bishop Lobo appreciated the wonderful work done by the Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre with the support of the Catholic Sabha of Mangalore and Udupi Dioceses. He stressed upon the need to identify and educate children with autism and that this institution would be the first of its kind in India to be established and run by lay people. He hoped that the dream of the Catholic Sabha of having a special institute for the benefit of children with autism would be realized by the active and generous support of various institutions and individuals.
The students of Manasa performed a welcome dance. Anil Lobo proposed a vote of thanks and Reena D’Souza compered the programme at the foundation stone laying ceremony as well as the stage function.
