Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Pics by Daya Kukkaje
Bengaluru, Jan 8: Dr Ronald Colaco has been bestowed with a certificate of excellence by The World Book of Records, London for carrying out his social and charitable work by creating infrastructural support to the government of Karnataka besides upliftment of society.
The certificate of excellence was announced under UID 00318 on September 28, 2022 in the House of Commons of the British Parliament, London during the Indo-UK Leadership Summit.
Veerendra Sharma, five times UK MP of Indian-origin who was also a signatory presented the certificate to Dr Colaco amidst a galaxy of audience who had arrived at the Ocean Hall of Clarks Exotica Convention Hall in Swiss Town in Bengaluru on December 6, 2022 along with other dignitaries that included MLA and BJP national secretary C T Ravi, former state minister Dinesh Gundurao, newly appointed AICC general secretary for overseas Indians Dr Arathi Krishna, MLC Bhoje Gowda, Narasimha Murthy and Prof Radhakrshnan among others.
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On the same occasion, 'Vishwabushana Dr Ronald Colaco', a book authored by Narasimmurthy compiling most of the charitable works and various honors and accolades with photos and documentary evidence, was released by Veerendra Sharma. The editors of the book S Venkatesh Murthy, N Narasimhamurthy and Me Cha Kotappa were also felicitated at the same time.
Colaco thought about welfare of society years before Obama, David Cameron or Modi
In his presidential address, Veerendra Sharma said, "It is a great honour and a privilege for me to come back to Karnataka after a few years gap. I came here in 2016 and I have come back this year. Dr Colaco is inspirational and secular in his thoughts. He has contributed millions for the welfare of the society. While many world leaders like Obama, David Cameron or Modi thought about the need to do something in the world to improve the quality of life of everybody, Colaco is a person who thought and had the idea many years ago to improve the quality of those who needed to rise from poverty with education and infrastructure and carried out the same. So I feel proud that I was in a position to sign that certificate of World Records for Dr Colaco for his service, contribution and dedication. I need to contribute and thank Dr Jean Ronald Colaco for showing the dedication in carrying on and supporting the vision of her husband and also their sons and other family members."
Colaco is a ‘living saint’
Veerendra Sharma also further stated, “Normally we remember not only those who got the wealth for himself and for the family, but we and the future generations will remember those people who have served the humanity, who serve the communities, who served and supported those in need. What is difference between Colaco and us? What brings him close to be a saintly person of this current century? Colaco is a 'saint' who now living in with us, amongst us. A saint who thought about the society.”
Meanwhile, Marjorie Texeiea congratulated Dr Colaco on behalf of planters and Mangalurean community for bagging coveted World Book of Records honour.
Dr Colaco's good deeds inspire others: C T Ravi
In his address, C T Ravi who is the Chairman of the felicitation committee, said, "I and Dr Colaco both come from the same Malnad region. When his name was included in the World Books of Record, my friends and I decided to felicitate him in a public function. Though he was not in favour of it, I had to convince him to accept the honour. Donors like Dr Colaco do not want publicity for the donations or good deeds they make but others need to be inspired by the noble and charitable work done by people like Dr Colaco.”
C T Ravi hailed Ronald Colaco for his tireless service and added that he stands for the proverb "A pure heart is real temple." He added that Dr Colaco lives not only in the hearts of the Indians but also that of the global community.
"Dr Colaco never says no to anyone seeking help or his services. The state government has conferred on him the Rajyotsava Award. He deserves an award from the Central Government. It's only a matter of time that personalities like Dr Colaco get their due recognition. He has already made a place for himself in the hearts of every Indian by his charitable works, said C T Ravi.
C T Ravi also fondly remembered how Dr Colaco had instantly donated a bus to the Government Medical College in Chikkamagluru when requested.
Dr Colaco's contribution is significant to growth of Bengaluru: Dinesh Gundu Rao
In his address, former Karnataka state minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "Veerendra Heggade described Dr Colaco as a 'Vishwa Manava', which means, 'man of the world.' This is the right description made by the Dharmasthala Dharmadikari. Dr Colaco is an inspiration to others. If we keep our earnings for ourselves it goes to only a few people like our family members but when we share it with others it goes to everyone who needs it. Dr Colaco has done that by sharing his earnings with the downtrodden. I have seen Dr Colaco closely for the last 20 years, When he came to Devanahalli nobody used to come here. But he planted the seed of development of Devanahalli, and today Dr Colaco is one of the significant people who helped in the growth of the entire Bengaluru."
He congratulated Dr Colaco for his rare achievement. While thanking Veerendra Sharma for personally coming to Bengaluru to present the certificate, Rao reminded that once India was ruled by the British and now we are happy that a person of Indian origin is ruling the UK. He hailed the friendly relationship between India and the UK.
Central government must recognise Dr Colaco with award: MLC Bojegowda
In his address, MLC Bojegowda hailed Dr Colaco as a man of the poor people. “He has treated people of all walks of life and all religions the same way. His respect for the poor and the downtrodden is commendable,” he said. He made a special mention of the wife of Dr Colaco for supporting and standing by him in every step. Without her support Dr Colaco could not have achieved whatever he has achieved today, Gowda said. He urged C T Ravi, chief guest of the programme to consider and recommend Dr Colaco’s name for a central government honour. "Karnataka state has honoured Dr Colaco with the Rajyotsava award, I request C T Ravi to bring this to the Centre's attention and recognise him with a suitable honour," he said.
Dr Colaco known for sweeping nature of his charitable work without discrimination: Dr Arathi Krishna
In her address, Dr Arathi Krishna said, "I first met Colaco when I was a deputy chairman in NRE Cell of the government of Karnataka. He invited me to his home and throughout our meeting I could see with my own eyes the tremendous work he has done with compassion, generosity and without expectations or fuss. He has wholeheartedly worked for the benefit of the poor. He has made a huge difference in the lives of the poor and the downtrodden. He has been like a benevolent tree to them and there are hardly any areas which he has not touched, or helped. And his philanthropy extends, not just to Karnataka, but to other states of India and abroad as well. Recently, when I mentioned to him that Kannada Bhavana in Bahrain was going to be the first of its.kind to be built by Kannadigas in the entire world, he generously contributed close to Rs 60 lacs when he visited Bahrain last month. And since he was the first person to contribute such a huge amount after the government of Karnataka at my insistence, Kannadigas in Bahrain recognised his contribution by naming one of the halls after him. It was also my privilege to attend the inauguration of a very old temple, which was rebuilt, which is very close to their house here in Bengaluru. He donated Rs 4 crores to rebuild the temple.".
Dr Colaco, in his response to the honour said, "The secret of my giving is, as I said earlier, myself and my wife Jean, before expressing our wedding vows, we took an oath to dedicate certain portions of our savings for the causes of the poor and society. Once you have done that, it is not your money. You have to give it away. Therefore you don't feel bad and sad to give what is not yours."
Requesting the huge gathering to stand up, pray to God almighty and take an oath, he said, "I would like all of you to set aside a small percentage, maybe for educating one child from a rural area in a year or meeting the expenses of the uniform or books or caring for a destitute. God has given us this single opportunity to pass by this world. There is no second chance for any of us to come back into this world. And so whatever least we can do for our underprivileged brothers or sisters, we can do it now or never. It is the least we can return to the society that we are born in and grown up with. And I always say that instead of adding years to life I would like to make it meaningful every year that I leave behind.”
He inspired the gathering with the doctrine, "Richness is not counted by your bank balance number of properties, bunglows and cars you have. It is better to count it by knowing how many hearts you have touched."
Dr Colaco also exhorted the audience to stand up and pledge that they will spare a portion of their earnings for the charity works and betterment of the society.
Dr Colaco thanked the World Book of Records for the certificate bestowed on him. "One of the signatories Veerendra Sharma is here. I am really honoured that he has come and he has handed over the certificate personally. So I would like to thank Sharmaji for doing this."
Entrepreneur Anand Lobo from Bahrain, also a well-known host and event organizer compered the entire event along with TV artiste and event host Aparna.
Watch full event here: