Mangalore: KCO Abu Dhabi helps needy students with scholarships worth Rs 11.75 lac
Pics: Jackson Kundapur
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Aug 11: Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO), Abu Dhabi, a premier organization based in the UAE, in association with Samanvaya Mangalore distributed scholarships worth Rs 11.75 lac to 171 students, at a ceremony held at Milagres Senate Hall here on Sunday August 11.
MLA J R Lobo, and sponsors Rohan Monteiro of Rohan Corporation, Naveen Cardoza of Marian Infrastructure, John Saldanha and Bennette Menezes were the guests.
Lauding KCO for their work, J R Lobo in his address said, "This scholarship programme can be successful only if the beneficiaries (students) make good use of it. From the past ten years, KCO members with their hard work have been helping a number of needy students. They are giving scholarships with a good intention so that the needy students of the community can come to the mainstream."
He advised the students, "Make good use of the amount. Be a good person in society and also help the community. The community has started losing its value these days as we do not hold good positions in society. We are satisfied with what we have, which should not be the case. Aim high and give back to the society what you have received today."
Citing examples of Rohan Monteiro, KCO members and of himself, he said, "It is only through hard work that they have come up in life. You (students) should have the desire to dream high and put in hard work. You must understand the intention behind giving scholarship and do justice to it."
In his address, KCO founder Leo Rodrigues told the students that the help extended by KCO should be put to good use for the purpose of aquiring education and have a good future. "I am sure the scholarship amount will not be enough to meet all your education expenses, but it will be helpful to a certain extent. Every year in April or May we (KCO) organize entertainment programmes in Abu Dhabi, and the surplus amount is used for distributing scholarships. To organize these programmes we put in hard work for more than four months. KCO members work there with great difficulty and donate part of their incomes. You are the future of our community. I wish that you become great persons in your life.
"Parents should also evaluate their children's performance and behaviour," he added.
Samanvaya director Fr Ronald Cutinho in his introductory remarks said, "KCO has been distributing scholarships for the past ten years. So far it has distributed 923 scholarships worth Rs 62 lac to 360 students. Among them, 189 students are today holding good positions in society."
To the students he said, "Acquire value-based education and help others. KCO does not want its money back, instead it wants students to have good future and help others."
KCO president Benette D'Mello thanked the sponsors and asked students to study well and build a good future. "Do not become prey to bad habites. Our efforts should not go waste," he said.
KCO member Michael D'Silva in his address asked the students to make good use of the money and become role model to others. "Respect your parents and inculcate good principles," he said.
Master compere Leslie Rego conducted the proceedings.
KCO secretary Valerian Dalmeida, members Gerald D'Mello, Franklin D'Cunha, Leena D'Souza, Vivek Serrao, Sandhya Vaz, Rupert Vaz, Donald D'Silva and others were present.
Speaking to daijiworld, scholarship beneficiary Milton D'Souza, a third BCom student of Milagres College and a resident of Thokur, said, "This is the second time I am receiving scholarship from KCO. It has greatly helped me in paying my fees and meeting other academic expenses. I have a sister too and my family finds it difficult to afford our education. I too will help others in future."