Mangalore: MCC Bank Reaches Milestone - 'Centenary Year' Kicks off in Style
Pics: Savitha B R
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SB)
Mangalore, May 8: The inaugural of the centenary year celebration of The Mangalore Catholic Co-Operative Bank Ltd was organized at Milagres Jubilee Hall, Hampanakatta here on Sunday May 8.
Oscar Fernandes, general secretary, All India Congress Committee, the chief guest, inaugurated the centenary year celebration by lighting the lamp. The inauguration was done in a unique manner with 16 branch managers ligthing the 16 lamps placed under the main lamp that was lit by the Oscar couple. While Oscar Fernandes and his wife Blossom Fernandes struggled to light the lamp in the beginning, the compere added humour to the situation saying that even the people behind the bank’s development had to struggle hard to make the venture a success.
In his inaugural address, Oscar Fernandes said that efforts will be made to bring MCC bank under the scheduled bank category provided the share holders agree to the proposal. The co-operation of Reserve Bank of India will be sought in this regard, he added. He also stressed that co-operative society banks are an institution built by the people, hence let it remain the bank of society.
Taking note of banks that went bankrupt in America and other Europe countries, Oscar said tough banking policy that prevailed in India evaded such difficulties for banks in our nation.
Ronald Colaco, NRI entrepreneur, who launched automobile scheme “SWANT’ said that the bank has helped a lot many families. He commended the bank as the deposit which remained at Rs 92 crore for 96 years has mounted to Rs 170 crore, providing 8% dividend to the shareholders. He called upon the people of the community to be shareholders of the bank and said let there be a feeling of belongingness and pride about the bank.
Colaco has contributed Rs 10 lac for the vehicle benefit scheme of the bank 'Swant', in which atleast 20 unemployed youth will be able to avail a loan from the bank, with Rs 50,000 each to be given as subsidy in the name of Colaco. He handed over the symbolic key to five beneficiaries who were present during the event.
Colaco urged Daijiworld, 'it being an internationally renowned media, with its tremendous popularity,' to create awareness of MCC Bank and to bring more NRE shareholders into it.
Dr Edward Nazreth, vice-chairman of the bank in his keynote address said that the management has plans to extend the functioning of bank to other districts too. He added that schemes will be initiated to encourage more savings bank accounts and a programme called ‘Meet the Customer’ will be held to foster friendly relations with the customers. He also recalled the revitalization of the bank which had struggled earlier.
Dr Henry D’Souza, Bishop of Bellary concelebrated the Eucharistic celebrations at 9.30 am. Shobha Mendonsa, president, KEL, Dubai inaugurated the centenary deposit scheme on the occasion.
Shobha Mendonca, president KEL, UAE appreciated the efforts of bank in the past 99 years, and urged the community to collectively support the bank.
Bishop Henry D'Souza, asked present chairman of the bank Melvyn D'Cunha to take the bank to the next level and move ahead with the help of technology.
Denis Moras Prabhu, vicar general of Mangalore Diocese represented Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius D'Souza, who could not attend the event due to health problem.
Walter Nandalike assured Ronald Colaco that through media awareness will be created to reach out to NREs spread around the world. He appreciated the fact that 50% of MCC bank branches are headed by women, which shows the bank's policy and respect to empower women.
Dr Henry D’Souza, Bbishop of Bellary, John D’Silva, senior co-operative banking leader, Mumbai, Albert W D’Souza, president, Model Co-operative Bank Ltd, Mumbai, Walter Nandalike, editor-in-chief, Daijiworld.com, N Rajanna, joint registrar of co-operative societies, state government, P R Palangappa, deputy joint registrar of co-operative societies, Dakshina Kannada and Felix Lobo, NR entrepreneur, among others were present.
Melvyn D’Cunha, chairman welcomed. Joseph Quadres delivered the vote of thanks. George Castelino Nakre compered he programme. Nritya Vidushi Shaila Kamath enthralled the gathering with a welcome dance.
Earlier thanksgiving mass was offered at the Milagres Chuch, Mangalore which was attend by the staff, family members and well wishers of the bank.