Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore Sept 22: A seminar on environmental protection was organized jointly by 'Samanvaya', a city-based voluntary organization and Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO) Abu Dhabi at Samanvaya Hall in Urva Stores here on Sunday September 21. The programme was inaugurated by the students from the the last year's scholarship batch alongwith Fr Ronald Cutinha. Students from within the Mangalore diocese, chosen to receive scholarships for the current year, were present.
In his address, Fr Ronald Cutinha advised the gathering on various ways one can contribute towards protecting environment and emphasized, that it is the responsibility of everyone to protect it. With the help of a slide show, he explained about the long term ill-affects of overuse and misuse of natural resources. Around 60 students were present at the seminar.
KCO Abu Dhabi president Robert Rego, who had specifically come here to hand over scholarships, was received by offering a bouquet by Fr Ronald Cutinha. Scholarships were handed over to 71 students.
LYnet and group rendered the prayer song. In his introductory address, Fr Ronald explained how and when KCO was founded, its objectives and the philanthropic activities undertaken by it, particularly in supporting the educational ambitions of the less fortunate. The KCO has so far disbursed a sum of Rs 16.18 lac as scholarship to students, he said.
On the occasion, the KCO handed over scholarships amounting to about six lac rupees to nursing, engineering and college students.
Ashwin d'Souza, Avita D'Souza, Ashwin Coelho and Lavita Crasta, sudents, expressed their opinions at the seminar and asked the students present to spell out their ideas. The students thanked Robert Rego, Fr Ronald Cutinha and KCO for the pains undertaken and sacrifices made, to help them pursue their education.
Rego presided over the programme. After distributing scholarships, he congratulated Fr Ronald on the decennial celebrations of Samanvaya slated to be held on December 14 this year. While thanking the KCO members and sponsors for making generous contributions that enabled the organization to come to the rescue of the needy, he exhorted more people to join KCO in its endeavour to reach out to more and more children. He advised students to imbibe qualities to become future leaders of the country, concentrate on their studies and to support their parents once they succeed in life. Rego also requested the students to always be thankful to Fr Ronald for his dedication and help he has rendered to them.
A memento was presented to Robert Rego on behalf of Samanvaya, by Fr Ronald. Lynet D'Souza proposed vote of thanks. Lavita D'Souza conducted the programme.