Udupi: KCCCI Launched Amid Glittering Ceremony

Kevin Rodrigues
Pics: Wilson D'Souza, Shirva
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Sep 29: Karavali Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCCI), Udupi was inaugurated by John D'Silva, founder president, Mumbai Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Mandavi Court here on Friday September 28.

Fr Fred Mascarenhas blessed the new premises.

Capt John Prasad Menezes, former president, Canara Chamber of Commerce, preside over the function which was held at Hotel Kediyoor, while John D'Silva, Mumbai, Industrialist Pramod Madhwaraj, Udupi, Roy Castileno, president, Rachana, Denis D'Silva, state convener of IFKCA, Renny Fernandes, vice-president of Small Scale Industry, Manipal, Louis Lobo, president, IFKCA Udupi, Dr Neri Cornelio, secretary, IFKCA, Udupi, Alwyn Quadros, general secretary, KCCCI Udupi and Jerry Vincent Dias, president, KCCCI, Udupi  were present on the dais.

Jerry Dias in his introductory address outlined the the necessity of launching KCCCI in Udupi. Explaining the aims and objectives of KCCCI, he said, "Today Christian businessmen are lagging behind in comparison to others. They don't know each other and what they are into, so there is a need to bring all Christian businessmen under one roof and take them to the mainstream of society, which is the main aim of KCCCI," he said.

"Today, a large number of Christians are based in the Gulf or European countries. We start business abroad but not in our motherland, mainly because of miscommunication and lack of proper information. Even if anyone attempts to start a business here, others will talk him out of it," he said.

"To overcome all these things we are on the way to build a strong organization to support each and every person in the Christian community," he declared.

John D'Silva in his inaugural speech said that small businessmen do not get enough opportunities in the state and national level organizations. Hence, KCCCI will enable all businessmen in the district to be part of the association.

"In the coming days KCCCI can institute awards and hold seminars. As we are among the minority, there are several government schemes to start any business or project. Even nationalized banks will give their support. In two or three years Canara Chamber of Commerce will conduct it second convention, for which KCCCI can give its full support," he said.

Roy Castelino said that now Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are being divided in all forms. "Earlier we had one MP constituency but later it was divided into Udupi and Mangalore. Now recently Udupi became a new diocese. When we do business we have to do it on a wide scale. One person alone cannot fight for his rights but when we are in a group or association we can work together and share our difficulties and solve our problems," he said.

"The future of a new organization can be determined by the nature of its first president. Today KCCCI is lucky to have a person like Jerry Dias to lead the way. The association will surely reach great heights in the coming days," said industrialist Pramod Madhwaraj.

"In foreign countries there is value for sincerity, but not in India. For instance, a procedure like land conversion takes two or three years. Power will be generated in our district but soon it will go to other parts of the state and people in the district will suffer," he added.

"Christians are innocent in nature. If someone in the community faces problems in his business then the KCCCI should stand with him and give him support to bounce back," Madhwaraj said.

"I am proud to say that in Udupi, after Syndicate Bank I pay the highest amount of tax to the government. The best way to earn more is by donating; by doing charity work we get rich returns," he added, assuring his full support and cooperation to KCCCI.

Capt John Prasad Menezes in his presidential address said, "We businessmen pay tax to our country and create jobs, and hence we are part of the India's economic growth.

"In the 1990s we had two car companies, a few banks, one airlines and so on, but after the reforms in those years the economy of the country grew," he said.

Stressing that FDI would be beneficial to the country, he said, "The raw materials will be from our country, manufactured in the country, supplied by Indians and the end user too will be Indians. If FDI is allowed, we can create 10 million jobs every year. This is needed in a country like India."

Businessmen from Udupi district and Mangalore attended the event.
 
President of KCCCI, Udupi Jerry Vincent Dias welcomed the gathering, general secretary Alwyn Quadros proposed the vote of thanks and treasurer Robert Furtado compered.