Media Release
Udupi, Sep 29: The Karavali Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCCI), to host its annual get-together and Prerana Award 2025 presentation ceremony on October 2 at the Community Hall of St Lawrence Basilica, Attur, Karkala, announced KCCCI president Santosh D’Silva during a press conference on Monday.
Speaking to the media in the press conference held on September 29, Santosh D’Silva said the organization, which was launched in 2012, has now entered its 13th year. KCCCI was the brainchild of NRI entrepreneur and former IFKCA (International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations) state president Dr Ronald Colaco, and was supported by then IFKCA district president Lewis Lobo under the leadership of Alwyn Quadros, Jitendra Pudthado, Dr Neri Cornelio, Prashanth Chittanna, Santosh D’Silva, and Robert Furtado, with Dr Jerry Vincent Dais serving as its first president. The organization is registered under the Cooperative Societies Act, 1860, with its head office located at Mandavi Court Complex.
Although the organization’s scope initially included Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and Dakshina Kannada districts, its activities are currently focused on Udupi district. Membership is open to entrepreneurs, businessmen, professionals, and farmers from all sections of the Christian community Catholic, Protestant, Syrian Orthodox, and others. What began with just 30 life members has now grown to over 170 members.
Currently, the leadership team consists of: Patron Dr Jerry Vincent Dais, president Santosh D’Silva Karkala, general secretary Alwyn Quadros, Kota, treasurer Maxim Stefan Saldanha, Udupi.
Over the past 12 years, KCCCI has organized entrepreneurial camps, workshops, and information sessions on GST, income tax, union and state budgets, and other business-related legal updates. For the last five years, it has been recognizing deserving entrepreneurs from the community by presenting the Prerana Award.
This year’s Prerana Award 2025 recipients are:
Entrepreneur of the Year 2025: Francis D’Souza, Palimaru, chairman of F4 Holdings (India) Private Limited and managing director of F4 Engineering (India) Private Limited
Woman entrepreneur of the year 2025: Lavita Andrade, Udupi
Young entrepreneur of the year 2025: Arun Sushil Kotian, Subhash Nagar
Progressive farmer of the year 2025: Dr Joseph Lobo, Shankarpura
The award ceremony will take place at 6 pm, with Dr Jerry Vincent Dais, Patron of KCCCI, as the chief guest. The event will be graced by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese, and Hemachandra Kumar, bishop of CSI Church, as guests of honour.
Prior to the awards ceremony, a business information workshop will be held for existing and aspiring Christian entrepreneurs. Resource persons include Walter Nandalike, founder & editor-in-chief of Daijiworld media, and JC Soujanya Hegde, entrepreneur, host, and corporate trainer.
The programme will conclude with a cultural entertainment session and fellowship dinner for members and their families.
Present at the press meet were general secretary Alwyn Quadros, treasurer Maxim Stephen Saldanha, joint secretary Wilson D’Souza, and director Jeevan Salins.