Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 23: “There is no shortcut for success except hard work. Today's pain is tomorrow's gain. And for this I am the living example,” said Leo Rodrigues, Abu Dhabi based NRI entrepreneur and visionary.
He was delivering the presidential address at KCO–Samnvaya Scholarship disbursement programme 2016 at Centenary Memorial Hall, Jeppu Seminary, on Sunday August 21.
Leo Rodrigues started his address with a request to the student community to pray for KCO members and recalled his early days.
He said, “In 1971, my father gave Rs 90 to buy a bicycle and I used that bicycle for many years. I was riding that bicycle even when I was the vice-president of Mukka Parish Council. Today though economically we have progressed, some needy families need a helping hand from community. Apart from educational aid, KCO is also extending helping hand towards medical aid to the needy families who cannot afford medical expenses for critical illness. KCO is also supporting poor families in marriage expenses and last year it extended a helping hand to four families.”
“Today's pain is tomorrow's gain. And I am the living example for that. Be kind to help your parents and you will be blessed abundantly. At the same time don’t forget to pray, because prayer has great power,” he further said.
Fr Michael Santhumayor, principal, Milagres College, Mangaluru was the chief guest for the function. He inaugurated the scholarship distribution programme by lighting the lamp.
Addressing the students, Fr Santhumayor said, “Be like a needle which joins stitches, not like a scissor which cuts and separates society. We have seen scissors and knife which always cut things and separate. But needle though small always stitches and binds. In the same manner today fragmented society is in need of needles and not the scissors.”
Elaborating on a researched story of vulture and eagle, he asked scholars to adopt seven unique qualities of the vulture in their life.
“There is a vast difference between these two birds. Both can fly high in the sky but vulture has a clear vision upto 5 kms. It strikes straight and never misses the goal. Another uniqueness of vulture is that it always eats fresh, never consumes stale. Vultures are never afraid of tempest and they always take challenges.”
Pondering further on unique qualities of the vultures, Fr Santhumayor said, “Before selecting its male partner, female vulture carries stick to the high sky and drops it and the male has to catch it before it touches the ground. This exercise will go up to four times in a row and if the male passes the test then only the female vulture selects him as a partner. In the same manner you should be selective and wise in selecting the company.”
“Vultures give the best training to face all the odds to its juniors and teach how to take challenges. When a vulture becomes old, it goes to the hard rock, stops eating and gets rid of all the old feathers from its wing. It only returns with new feathers. In the same way always be open to new ideas and don’t hesitate to face challenges. Life is full of challenges and we should always remember that we are here at the cost of others. We were born to others, we were trained by others, we are employed by others and when we die others carry us on their shoulders. So when we are here we should live in such a way that others get benefited,” he added.
Fr Ronald Coutinho, director of Samanvaya delivered the key note address and briefed about Konkani Cultural Association and its social work.
In his address, Fr Cutinho said, “KCO is in its 21st year and in last 12 years it has distributed scholarship to the tune of Rs 1 crore 11 lac to 407 needy students. This year 87 students were awarded scholarship of Rs. 6,95,500. Apart from scholarship, KCO also gives medical aids and supports to the poor families in wedding expenses.”
Dr Cutinho made a special mention in his key note address about meritorious student Lavanya who has scored 100/100 marks in four subjects. As a token of appreciation KCO president Leo Rodrigues announced a cash prize of Rs 3,000 for her and other KCO members on stage joined Leo Rodrigues contributing Rs 500 each.
Michael D Silva, former president of KCO who spoke after distributing the scholarships said, “We the KCO members put much efforts and sacrifice a lot of time to raise the fund for scholarship. Though scholarship amount may not cover the entire education expenses, I request you to spend it with responsibility.”
Immediate past president of KCO, Michael D’Silva, general secretary Canute Pinto, vice-president Vivek Serrao, trustee Valerian D’Almeida, past president Gerry D Mello, cultural secretary Bennet D’Melllo, advisory committee member Maxim Francis D’Cunha, member Leena D’Souza, Fr Ronald Cutinho and Fr Francis Almeida were on the dais.
KCO president Leo Rodrigues welcomed the gathering and general secretary Canute Pinto proposed vote of thanks.
Fr Ronald Coutinho, director of Samnvaya compered the programme.
All 87 students, their families and well-wishers of KCO participated in the programme.