Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Feb 27: Dr Ronald Colaco, a well-known NRI businessman and philanthropist, was conferred with a prestigious civic honour on behalf of the citizens of Mangaluru. The event was held on February 24 at Father Muller Convention Center, Pumpwell, where hundreds of his well-wishers and fans gathered to celebrate the occasion.

Dr Colaco was recently recognized with the Certificate of Excellence by the World Book of Records, London, for his remarkable social, charitable work and infrastructure support to the government of Karnataka for the upliftment of the society.

Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha

Bishop of Mangalore diocese Dr Peter Paul Saldanha extended a heart felicitation and congratulated Dr Colaco for his immense social service to the society and the needy and after watching the short video on Dr Colaco’s long term services to the society, he said, "I am surprised at the number of wonderful things Dr Colaco has done for the society. An immense amount of goodness is shown by him and that goodness has benefited many in the society.

"Three things I would like to say about Dr Colaco. He has an attitude of abundance. Colaco has the heartfulness of giving. We can see a smile on his face, happiness and attitude of abundance. We should check if we all possess this kind of attitude of abundance. He is an inspiration for us. Dr Colaco’s name has been shining for goodness for several years amidst us. Second, he is a Good Samaritan, living and working beyond borders, by serving the society and needy irrespective of caste, religion, colour and place. He has followed the message of Lord Jesus Christ. Thirdly, his goodness is self-diffusing like the aroma of perfume. When you meet this person, you will not return with sadness. Everyone says he is a good man but I want to say he is a very good man," the bishop said.

Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi

Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, chancellor – Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) said, "Dr Colaco is spreading the message of love, peace and harmony through his social work. His stature has grown and is on par with world-class leaders like Barack Obama and others who have spread love and harmony in the world. The world needs love and harmony. The world needs more people like him. Dr Colaco distributed fruits of harmony to the nation and internationally. His family also has supported him in this noble cause. He has received several reputed national and international awards. He is a true role model. He has played an instrumental role in the construction of educational and medical infrastructure across the state. He has helped the state government to uplift the backward and economic sections of the society by providing quality and free education.”

Padma Vibhushan Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala and member of Rajya Sabha blessed Dr Colaco and lauded his social service by calling Dr Colaco a ‘Vishwamanava’ through a video message. MLA U T Khader also sent a video message wishing Dr Colaco.

Srimat Swami Jithakamanandaji Maharaj

President of Ramakrishna Math, Srimat Swami Jithakamanandaji Maharaj, after launching an award instituted in the name of 'Dr Ronald Colaco Samarasya Award' to be given to those who qualify under this category, he said, “Dr Colaco is the son of this soil, pride of Dakshina Kannada. Born in a village, he is shining globally today. People like Dr Colaco are close to God. Irrespective of caste and religion, he has helped people. He has responded to the problems of society. He has gained the love of all sections of people in the society. What he has earned has been spent for the welfare of the society."

Dr Ronald Colaco

After receiving the honour, Dr Colaco said, “I am overwhelmed. Today, every speaker has lauded me including the host of the programme, and even through songs presented in three different languages Kannada, English and Konkani. My will to do social work is increasing. The social service that you have witnessed on the video is certainly not done for any awards, rewards, honour, name or fame. But done out of sheer sense of my bounded duty towards the society that I am born in, lived in and grew up with.

“J R Lobo and his team have organised this programme by spending their own money and time, but I would have been happier, if the same money and time was spent towards the needs of the society rather than for my honouring event. Anyway, my heartfelt gratitude to the organising committee for all their efforts.

“People irrespective of caste and religion have attended this programme. Dr Veerendra Heggade is a role model to me because of his extensive rural development programmes all over. Due to legitimate reasons, he is not present for the programme, but he has given his earlier message which was seen on a video.

“Jithakamanandaji Maharaj of Ramakrishna Math is holding cleanliness drives in various places. Apart from the cleanliness of the environment, cleanliness of the polluted heart and mind is certainly the need of the hour. I hope swamiji will also take up this cause.

"On this occasion, I want to remember Narasimha Murthy who is working for TOI and Vijayakarnataka. He has put in his efforts for over four years, to collect documentation and photos from various districts, taluks, hoblis and villages, to compile the documentary evidence on all charitable works rendered by Dr Colaco for over 32 years. This kind of documentation has helped me to qualify for a professional doctorate from the 75th ranked university in the world, European International University as well as to enter in the World Book of Records.

He further said, “Many ask how I manage to spend for these social services. People say behind every successful man there is a woman. Behind my success, there is only one woman that is my wife Jean Colaco. During the wedding before we took the mandatory vows, we both took an oath before the altar to set aside part of our savings from the earnings towards the causes of the poor as well as that of the society. Thus, this part of the money does not belong to us, and therefore needs to be spent for the purpose for which it has been set aside. I am not doing a great job, but only carrying out my commitments towards society.

“Lord has given us only one opportunity to pass by the world and there is no second chance for any of us to come back into this world. Therefore, whatever we can do for our less-fortunate brothers and the society, we can do now or never. Many of us celebrate birthdays by inviting friends and relatives. This means, we are only adding years to our life. It is equally important that we add a meaningful and purposeful life to each year that we live. We measure our wealth by means of our share value, assets we own, bank balance we hold and the bungalows and vehicles we possess. It is equally important to measure our richness of heart and mind by counting how many lives and hearts we have been able to touch each year of our lives. Whatever our wealth we have accumulated here, cannot be enjoyed eternally since we all have got to depart from this world. However, our social, charitable works, kindness and goodness shown to the neighbourhood and needy, respecting each other irrespective of caste or creed, region or religion, earns a deposit in the bank of heaven or bank of ‘PUNYA’ in heaven which is eternal and available for drawing throughout.

“Social service does not mean spending your money, but loving your neighbours, helping one another in any forum is also a great social service. Even this gets deposited in the bank of heaven.

“There is only one God of the universe, which we all agree and no one disputes. We also agree that God created human beings by fitting the same engine and providing the same fuel (blood), but only shape, size and colour differs. Thus, God did not create regions or religions which got formed subsequently through the various representatives of the same universal God. Thus, we got divided and started worshipping and praying to the same universal God through various names of our liking. This should be restricted within ourselves as the way of life within our own divided community. When we come out and when it comes to the society, we must uphold the human religion and human values, only to maintain peace, harmony and dignity of living by respecting each other. If we lead our lives this way, then certainly our deposits in the bank of heaven will overflow.

“During elections, we notice our leaders trying to divide us on the basis of caste and religion by bringing irrelevant issues rather than convincing the voters as to what plan they have for the development of specific area in which they are canvassing for the development, what plans they have to improve the future of our children, plans for elderly people, healthcare etc and certainly not to fall prey for their talks on religious and caste issues whatsoever.

“I only saw the human beings when I extended my charitable services, not his region or religion. Therefore, I have the moral right to preach this by talking about what I have walked in my life. We always see most of our leaders on any stage pointing out at others by saying that you have to follow Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak etc. But they do not show any courage to say 'you follow me' by being ideal leaders,” he said.

He requested the entire audience to stand up and to take an oath on the occasion by pledging a small portion of their savings within their own capacity to the needs of the economically poor in the society, be it in the form of educating, providing clothes or books, helping destitute or orphans that we come across in the society.

This kind of rare oath of the masses was certainly heartening to witness on the occasion.

Archbishop Dr Peter Machado

Bengaluru archdiocese Archbishop Dr Peter Machado in his presidential address said, "People irrespective of caste and religion have taken part in this great event. Officers from medical, education and other departments too have taken part in this programme. It is because of the love and affection towards Dr Colaco for his long term charitable and humanitarian services to the society.

"Dr Colaco is a family man. Though he is a family man, he is not just reserved for his family. He has made the world as his family. He has become a world citizen. He has walked an extra mile by personally contributing to society. He has lived his life with the art of giving. He has also shown the world that there is more happiness in giving than receiving,” he said.

Apart from the speakers, the event was graced by several other notable figures, including Jean Colaco, wife of Dr Ronald Colaco, Rajayogi B K Vishveshwari of Brahma Kumari Center, Mangaluru, Dr Shantharam Shetty, chairman of Tejaswini Hospital, Maladi Ajith Kumar Rai, President of Bantara Yane Nadavara Mathr Sangha, and Rajashekar Kotian, President of Rashtriya Billawara Maha Mandala, Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo of Udupi Diocese, Bishop Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy of Beltangady diocese, Bishop Dr Francis Serrao of Shimoga diocese, Bishop Dr Henry D'Souza of Bellary diocese, Fr Richard Coelho, director, Father Muller Institutions, Moodbidri MLA Umanath Kotian, former ministers Nagaraj Shetty and Abhayachandra Jain, Congress leader Mithun Rai, Sadananda Shetty, Shashidhar Hegde, corporators Naveen D’Souza and Lancelot Pinto, Shalet Pinto, Kripa Alva and many other corporators, zilla panchayat president and others.

Walter Nandalike, managing director of Daijiworld media, Ronald Colaco Felicitation Committee vice president U T Ifthikar Ali, Louis J Pinto, Suresh Ballal, convenor Denis D’Silva and co-convenor Santhosh D’Costa were also present.

Former MLC Ivan D'Souza thanked everyone, and the programme was excellently hosted by film artiste Aparna. Reena Castelino read the citation. A documentary film was also displayed, highlighting Dr Colaco's pioneering service to society. The Blue Angels Choir presented a prayer song to conclude the event.


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