Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Mumbai / Dubai , Jan 2: When Kanara Entrepreneurs Limited (KEL) was set up in Dubai in 2004, it marked the commencement of a historic step as far as the entrepreneurs from the Kanara region of Karnataka are concerned. Though it was a small beginning it proved to be a giant leap as far as the entrepreneurs hailing from this region are concerned and also to those who had dreams and the dynamism to make it big as entrepreneurs.
The organization which has been rechristened as Kanara Entrepreneurs Global since 2009, forms the nucleus around which the different chapters of KE Global have been functioning with the primary intent of promoting entrepreneurial spirit and share information and mutually beneficial opportunities among the catholic community people. To put it succinctly, Kanara Entrepreneurs is a global non-profit, mutual benefit corporation chartered by individuals from the Kanara region of Karnataka, to augment the spirit of entrepreneurship by providing a proper forum for budding entrepreneurs to prosper and tread the path of success.
Needless to say in the past 8 years KE Global has been going about this task zealously pursuing its principle objective to emerge as a conglomeration of entrepreneurs of the community of Kanara Region. In this splendid task it has attained amazing progress in making its presence felt in different parts of India by opening new chapters and also by collaborating with other likeminded organizations. Slowly but steadily the organization is making considerable strides to make its presence globally so as to involve more entrepreneurs under its nest and also to provide a global entrepreneurial perspective to the members.
Ivan Fernandes
Inspiring Entrepreneurship
Ivan Fernandes, Chairman, of K E Global, who was instrumental in setting up the organization in Dubai says “the organization was set up to bring all entrepreneurs from Kanara region under one umbrella and to encourage, support, guide, nurture and also to provide necessary financial and moral support to entrepreneurs of the Kanara region, if needed. Kanarites are a small community who are individually rich but collectively have an insignificant bargaining power as very few people of the community opt for entrepreneurship. In order to have a strong presence for our community we need to encourage and support entrepreneurs, existing and potential, and emerge as a powerful, financially strong and influential network of community”. In the process of fulfilling these cherished dreams KE Global has joined hands with like-minded organizations like Rachana and Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Mangalore and also with a Mumbai –based organization of the community called “Dimensions”.
“Dimensions” is a Mumbai based forum of Christian entrepreneurs and businessmen established in 2007 with the singular intent of bringing together entrepreneurship of the community in order to support and encourage potential entrepreneurs and to emerge as a puissant force of the community. It is the brainwave of Freddy Mendonca, whose inexorable efforts saw Dimensions become a reality and also a pulsating force to reckon with.
Dimensions has been playing an exemplary role in changing the prevailing mindset of the Christian community and indoctrinate in them the entrepreneurial spirit and to be their own masters. With a 600 plus strong membership Dimensions has been playing the role of a catalyst in building up a vibrant organization of the community people to excel and aim for the highest. Needless to say it has tasted success in fulfilling its dreams and objectives to a great extent and is always exploring newer ways to strengthen the organization. It was a movement to bring under one roof Christian businessmen and professionals and motivate them for mutual connectivity and growth and also to create a favorable atmosphere to grow and reach greater echelons. Members of Dimensions comprise businessmen and professionals from varied fields who share their ideas and expertise to work in tandem with the singular idea of creating wealth for the community and make it a socially and economically a force to reckon with.
Freddy Mendonca
Global Convention – Growing with India
KE Global and Dimensions - the two community-based entrepreneur organizations are now coming together in a big way to hold a two-day convention in Mumbai on 12th and 13th January 2012 in which about 500 entrepreneurs from Bengaluru, Chennai, Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, Gulf countries, North America and also from Mangalore are expected to partake and assay the ways and means to prosper and succeed. The convention titled “Entreprenet-2012, a Global Convention for Entrepreneurs”, will be held at The Intercontinental, The Lalit, in Mumbai with the theme “Grow with India”, thus clearly demonstrating the intent of the convention. Speakers from different parts of the world are expected to present papers and share their expertise and experience with the participating members.
Ivan states that this convention would be an ideal podium for strengthening the community network and nurture fresh blood by exposing them to a bigger canvass with myriad opportunities to channelize their acumen and practicability. “This convention aims at providing a platform for entrepreneurs to coalesce and get inspiration from successful businessmen, to offer an opening for those who are on an expansion-spree and are on the lookout for suitable business partners. It would act as a stage for those businessmen who want to exit and are looking for partners to buy their business or invest and also to mentor prospective businessmen who have proclivity towards entrepreneurship”, Ivan contends. The convention would also give an idea for prospective businessmen to know what is happening in India, the different conduits of growth apart from paving the way for coming together of relatives spread across different parts of the globe during the family dinner organized as part of the convention.
Freddy Mendonca of Dimensions points out “basically we want to show that we are as strong as any other community and are capable of playing a pivotal role in the economic and social development of the society. To achieve this we need to work in a professional environment and this convention is a step in creating such a conducive milieu”.
Positive Response
The organizers of the convention have received encouraging response with over 300 registrations so far, though they are targeting participation of 500 entrepreneurs and professionals. The organizers feel that early registration and knowing a near-to-exact number of participants would enable them to plan and execute the convention without any kerfuffle. The organizers are inviting entrepreneurs of the community of Kanara region to register and also to get in touch with them if they are interested in sharing their experience or have specified needs that need to be addressed during this convention. Early registration would enable organizers to parse on projects before encouraging partners to strike a deal. The organizers will help arrange boarding and lodging facilities for participants from outside Mumbai if their participation is intimated to the organizers well in advance.
It is indeed a praiseworthy endeavor on these two organizations to bring together entrepreneurs of the community of Kanara region to share ideas, expertise and experience and work closely for the welfare of self and of the community and groom young and enterprising people to take up the mantle and make a success of their lives. Growing under their benign leadership and guidance would be learning experience for many a youngster who need the initial push and support to aim for the stars. “Entreprenet -2012” is no doubt a veritable effort needed to motivate the otherwise apathetic community people in making the Christian business community emerge stronger politically, socially and economically.
For more information interested people can contact on email
info@kanaraentrepreneurs.com or dimensions.diamond@gmail.com
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