Mangalore: Rachana Awards Conferred at Glittering Ceremony
 
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
 
Mangalore, Nov 25: The Rachana Awards, instituted by Rachana, forum of Catholic businessmen, professionals and entrepreneurs were presented at a ceremony held at Milagres Jubilee hall here on Sunday November 25.
 
Major general (retired) Ian Cardoza AVSM, chairman, rehabilitation, ministry of social justice and empowerment, government of India was the chief guest while Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangalore presided over the programme.

Precilla Cardoza, wife of Ian Cardoza, Roy Castelino, president of Rachana, John Monteiro, secretary, and Marcel Monteiro, convener of Rachana awards shared the dais.
 
On the occasion, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, along with others dignitaries on the dais, conferred the Rachana Awards on five eminent personalities for their contribution in their respective fields.
 
The awardees were Prof Hilda Rayappan, founder of Prajna Counseling Center (Rachana Outstanding Woman of the Year); Florine Pinto Perne (Rachana Agriculturist of the Year); Walter D’Souza, leading exporter in the city and chairman of Federation of Indian Export Organization (SR), ministry of commerce (Rachana Entrepreneur of the Year); Dr Oscar G Concesso, architect in Chennai (Rachana Professional of the Year); and Mark Denis D’Souza, Sharjah (Rachana NRI Entrepreneur of the Year).
 
Ian Cardoza in his address said that he wants to salute Mangaloreans for their community work. He lauded the awardees and Rachana for encouraging achievers of the society.
 
"I feel disturbed when I see so many abnormalities in society, like many children in our country are born with disability, mainly because of harmful pesticides and pollution. I am sure Rachana will stand by this cause and people with disability will be grateful if Rachana joins hands with us," he said, adding that Rachana has excelled in upholding its philosophy.
 
"Presently India is not in a happy state. It lacks in various factors like vision, national character, proper leaders and others. We as the citizens are responsible to bring changes in the society," said Cardoza.
 
Bishop Dr Aloysius in his presidential address said that he was happy for the five Rachana awardees who were honored for their service. "Rachana has honoured them for their great efforts and their talents," he said.
 
"God has bestoved each one of us with different talents, but only when we make best use of them are we recognized in society. But in the present scenario, most of them hide their talents, people do not come forward to take initiative," he said, adding, "A person should have a goal to achieve in his life, only then will he succeed.:
 
The Bishop asked Rachana to guide the youth towards setting up their own business. "If you do this I am sure many entrepreneurs will emerge in society in the coming years," he added.
 
He lauded the efforts of Rachana in rendering various services.

Acknowledging the honour, Hilda Rayapan said, "It is only because of my service to the society that there is a meaning to my life. I wish that young people also contribute their service to society."
 
"I do not know whether I deserve this award or now, but in 18 years I have realized that I had to work for a cause, and that is to serve others," she added.
 
Florine Pinto was honored with Rachana Award for her cultivation in 20 acres of land with all possible crops. She said that cultivation was initiated by her late mother-in-law and thanked all the local people for supporting her in this venture.
 
Walter D’Souza said that his achievement would be great only when the younger generation inculcated principles and become achievers in future. "Empowernment of youth is very important, hence I, along with Rachana would like to help some budding entrepreneurs in the coming years."
 
Oscar G Concesso and Denis D’Souza thanked their family members for their support and Rachana for the prestigious award.
  
The award ceremony began with a prayer dance performed by Mandd Sobhan troupe.
 
Roy Castelino welcomed while Stany Alvares and Roweena Pereira compered the programme.
 
Fr Valerian D’Souza, Ivan D’Souza, Elias Fernandes, Lancy Mascarenhas, Austin Peris, Louis J Pinto, Felix Pinto, Marjorie Texeira, Nyzil Pereira, C T Lobo, J P Menezes, Rudolf Rodrigues, M P Noronha among others were present.