Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 31: RACHANA Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mangaluru, in collaboration with ICYM Central Council diocese of Mangalore hosted a unique programme ‘Igniting Entrepreneurship’ for entrepreneurship aspirants of Catholic community of Mangalore diocese as well as nearby dioceses recently at St Sebastian's Church hall, Bendore.
It was an inspiring and impactful event, aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs, and attracted a diverse audience eager to learn from seasoned professionals.
The programme commenced with a symbolic ceremony where the president of Rachana, John B Monteiro, handed the lighting medium to the chief guest, Rohan Monteiro, who then ignited a torch which was held by Winston Sequeira, ICYM president, Mangalore diocese. This act was followed by the speakers lighting sparklers, symbolizing the spark of inspiration being passed on to the youth. A traditional lamp-lighting ceremony also took place, adding a touch of solemnity to the event.
John Monteiro, president of Rachana, kicked off the event with a warm welcome and an insightful address. He highlighted the significance of the event in inspiring and empowering young minds through engaging sessions, interactive discussions, and practical activities centred on entrepreneurship. He stressed on the need for such opportunities to build a larger entrepreneurial community.
Event convener CA Vikram Jude Saldanha provided a concise overview of the event's objectives, emphasizing its role in bridging the gap for aspiring entrepreneurs. He underscored the importance of guiding young talents towards realizing their business aspirations.
Winston Sequeira, president of ICYM, diocese of Mangalore, expressed gratitude to Rachana for this collaborative effort, encouraging participants to fully engage in the programme and take advantage from the wealth of knowledge being shared.
Chief guest Rohan Monteiro delivered an inspiring speech, sharing his personal journey and discussing the challenges he faced in his business endeavours. He emphasized the importance of maintaining quality in goods and services, noting that trust and financial success should naturally follow. He likened the business world to navigating waves, where risks, self-belief, and resilience elevate one's position. He further encouraged the youth, asserting that this is the right time to build a business. Success and failure are both part of the journey, and with a positive outlook, nothing is impossible. He advised the participants to start small, be patient, and work their way up. He added that one should believe in themselves and God and affirm that success will be theirs. Monteiro concluded by offering support to aspiring entrepreneurs through Rachana.
The event featured three key sessions:
Session 1: Leslie Rego, owner of The Mat Shop and Home Shop, shared the story behind his entrepreneurial journey, encouraging young entrepreneurs to commit fully to their ventures. He offered practical advice on what to do and what to avoid in business. He stressed not to expect anything to come to your doorstep rather knock on doors and find you way up.
Session 2: Roy Castelino, proprietor of Roy Constructions, discussed his venture into civil construction, highlighting the importance of understanding the business intricacies before starting. He urged the youth to thoroughly study the business landscape before launching their own enterprises. He made it clear that self-interest and hard work are crucial to lead a small start-up. He emphasized that although it takes a while to progress, it is not difficult to venture into any business.
Session 3: Dr Paul D’Souza captivated the audience with his passion for agriculture, speaking about the importance of positive thinking, patience, and the power of compounding. Dr D’Souza emphasized that entrepreneurial success requires discipline. Though a professor, his love for agriculture is deep rooted in him and has yielded well. As an agriculturist with expertise in dairy farming he called on young entrepreneurs to enter into the trending market of agriculture.
Throughout the event, J R Lobo, moderated the sessions and provided valuable insights, pointing at the importance of having a clear vision. He stressed the necessity of hard work, calculated risks, and resilience in the face of failure, encouraging the participants not to be deterred by setbacks. Lobo also advised the audience to network with experts in similar fields and be open to continuous learning.
Former Rachana presidents, Gilbert D’Souza, and Marjorie Texeira, chairperson of the silver jubilee celebrations, also pledged their support to the young entrepreneurs.
Victor Johnson Monteiro, proprietor of Paramount Cargo and Transport LLC, Dubai contributed through monetary sponsorship. Ullas Rasquinha was also recognised for his contribution.
Fr Clifford Fernandes, parish priest of Holy Cross Church Kulshekar who was present for the programme offered his guidance to both Rachana and ICYM, stressing the importance of such programs in igniting entrepreneurial spirit. He concluded his remarks with a prayer and blessed the gathering.
It was a wonderful opportunity for 200 plus entrepreneurship aspirants and budding entrepreneurs in a unique platform.
The event was skilfully compered by Dr Savannah Sequeira, Dr Jessica Monteiro, and Rianna D’Cunha, ensuring a smooth flow of activities. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Rachana joint secretary, Walter D'Cunha, followed by lunch where attendees continued to discuss and exchange ideas.