(Photo/News by Rons Bantwal)
Mumbai, Oct 12: The 1st Freddy Lecture, organized by Life Anchors and the Jeevan Anchor Foundation in memory of the late Freddy Mendonca, founder chairman of Dimensions and Jeevan Anchor Foundation, was held at ST PAULS Media Complex, 24th Road, TPS III, Bandra West, on Saturday, Oct 12.
The event featured the 1st Freddie Memorial Lecture, presided over by jeevan anchor foundation chairman Thomas D Lobo. Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) chairman Albert W D'Souza was the chief guest. Renowned certified management consultant, author, and business journalist Walter Vieira was the resource person, delivering a lecture on the topic of "Making Entrepreneurship Work."
Albert D'Souza shared, "Freddy once told me that producing Catholic engineers alone is not enough. You should ensure that even if they go abroad for higher studies, they return and contribute to reverse brain gain, benefiting the country and our community. I realized there was a deeper, dimensional meaning to what he said. While some may criticize, I firmly believe it’s better to be an A-grade citizen in your own country than a B-grade citizen in an A-grade country. Around the world, I have seen Christians more as employees than employers. Freddy’s life embodied living for others, serving others—like honeybees gather honey for human beings, and the moon creates ambiance for honeymooners."
Walter Vieira added, "We remember the good Freddy did. He was a unique individual, someone I couldn’t fully understand. He dedicated his life to the spirit world, perhaps wanting others to achieve what he could not and be successful, ensuring the next generation accomplishes more than the past."
Life Anchors, in collaboration with the College of Social Work Nirmala Niketan (CSWNN), is establishing the Freddy Mendonca Memorial Endowment Award in Entrepreneurship for the best student in the MA (Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship) course. This endowment, of Rs 1,00,000, will support the award, with the interest awarded annually to the top student. Freddy Mendonca was instrumental in empowering the community through entrepreneurship, and this award will inspire budding entrepreneurs in the CSWNN program, said Thomas D Lobo.
Founder members and board of directors of Jeevan Anchor Foundation, including Avinash Misquitta, Leslie D'Souza, Jose Peter, Russel Ferns, Allwyn Serao, Alex Emmanuel, Fr Joby Mathew, James Varghese, Dr Glenn Masarenhas, Austin Lobo, Jeo Devasai, and Dimensions chairman Sylvester Rodrigues, along with directors Vincent D'Silva, Hillary Lobo, Steven Fernandes, Loretta Silveira, and Melwin D'Souza Omzoor, were present. CCCI ex-chairman Henry Lobo, directors Lawrence Coelho, Catholic Sabha Mumbai president Dolphy D'Souza, and secretary Vinod Noronha also attended.
A statue of Freddy Mendonca was inaugurated by Life Anchors members. On this occasion, Thomas D Lobo’s book 50 More Pearls of Wisdom was released by the guest.
The program began with a prayer by Rev Fr Ruben Tellis. Dr Vivek G Mendonsa spoke briefly about Freddy Mendonca, and Ms Karen Zer compered the event. Secretary Melwin Fernandes delivered the vote of thanks.