Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Sep 27: “When we come together to recognize excellence, enterprise, perseverance, and achievement. I extend my warm congratulations to all the award recipients. An award is not merely recognition of success. Behind every award, there are years of hard work, sacrifice, courage, discipline, innovation, and perseverance.

Tonight we celebrate not only what you have achieved, but also the values and efforts that made those achievements possible. What’s more important, Life is more important, isn't it. And what we do, all this is for life: to protect, to preserve, and to promote life at any stage. We cherish, live everything that God has provided, but we are deprived because of our own self-interest, or maybe because of various reasons. Life needs to be protected, preserved and promoted. Coming back, the history of our, what you call, CCCI. It began with seven founding members.

Today more than 750. Because there is something that we contribute and something we receive. Because there is something that you have found so valuable, so great, so contributive that you can do something not only for you, not only for your family, not only for your community, but also to everyone, especially to the entire society” said Dr Leslie Clifford D’Souza, bishop of the diocese of Udupi.

The Christian Chamber of Commerce & Industries (CCCI) presented its CCCI achievement awards for 2025-2026 at a function held on Saturday evening at the auditorium of Hotel Kohinoor Continental, Andheri East, Mumbai. Bishop Leslie Clifford D’Souza, who was the chief guest, presented the annual awards to the achievers and congratulated them for their outstanding accomplishments.

The programme was presided over by Albert W D’Souza, chairman of CCCI. CCCI founder chairman Vincent Mathias, immediate past chairman John Mathew, vice chairman's Adv Pius Vas Agnelo Rajesh Athaide, Gregory D’Souza were present on the dais.

On this occasion, the CCCI Women’s Wing was formally inaugurated, and Janet Lawrence D’Souza assumed office as its first chairperson. The chief guest honoured the women office-bearers by presenting them with bouquets and conveyed her best wishes to them. Janet D’Souza introduced the office-bearers of the Women’s Committee.

Women wing chairperson Janet D'Souza spoke about giving us this opportunity of forming the women's wing. I am truly honored to stand before you on this historical and joyful occasion at the inauguration of the women's wing. We have a very dedicated core committee, much esteemed core committee members who are going to work shoulder to shoulder and with strength and dignity to the wing. The objects and activities to be undertaken by the women's wing. Women empowerment, organizing leadership, confidence building for all their planned activities for the year.

In his presidential address, Albert W D’Souza stated, my sincere appreciation to our board of directors and committee conveners for their commitment, guidance, and valuable contribution to the work of the chamber throughout the year. The CCCI is strengthened by the collective efforts of people who willingly give their time, experience and energy for the benefit of members as well as the wider community. We must try to create employment, encourage innovation, support families, strengthen communities and contribute to the welfare of the society. We therefore need to encourage a culture of responsible entrepreneurship with integrity, compassion and purpose. Our young entrepreneurs must be given the confidence and space to innovate. Our professionals and industrialists must continue to contribute to economic growth, and our community must never lose sight of education, social responsibility, public service and the arts.

The Pattathu Brothers Excellence Award for a woman entrepreneur was presented to Flavian Tanya Quadros, founder of Flavours Culinary Solutions Pvt Ltd and Banquet-18. The Aldel Education Trust Excellence Award for a young entrepreneur was presented to Paul Abner Noronha, co founder & director of Sepio Products Pvt Ltd. The Reliable Exports Excellence Award for education was presented to Dr Savita J Tauro, principal of St John Institute of Pharmacy and Research (Autonomous) Palghar. The Arcadia Share & Stock Brokers Pvt Ltd Excellence Award for art & culture was presented to Francis Fernandes Cassia, veteran theatre personality. The Velvin Industries Pvt Ltd Excellence Award for social service was presented to Dr Armida Fernandez, Rtd Professor & head of the department of neonatology and dean at LTMC Hospital, Sion. The Electropneumatics & Hydraulics (India) Pvt Ltd Excellence Award for outstanding entrepreneurial achievement was presented to Johnson Thomas Pereira, managing director of Gemsons Precision Engineering Pvt Ltd. The Daniel & Sons Excellence Award for public service was presented to Justice Ferdino Inacio Rebello, former chief justice of the Allahabad High Court.

The awardees spoke on the occasion, expressing their gratitude for the recognition. They appreciated the services rendered by CCCI and expressed the hope that the organisation would continue to grow as a model institution for future generations.

CCCI permanent invitee Presilla Walter Buthello, CCCI directors Ralph Pereira, Lawrence D’Souza, Lawrence Coelho and former chairman's Henry Lobo and Antony Sequeira among several other members, were present at the programme.

Fr Prakash Anil Castelino Pangla, former police commissioner of Brihanmumbai Ronald H Mendonsa, Model Co-operative Bank’s general manager and chief executive officer Henry B Quadros, former vice-chancellor Dr Suhas Pednekar and several other dignitaries were specially present. Elvina A D’Souza, advocate Genevieve P Vass, Pramila Mathias and Florine D’Souza honoured the guests by presenting them with bouquets.

The programme commenced with a prayer by CCCI executive secretary Rohan Tellis. Advocate Pius Vass introduced the guests. Priya D’Souza, Allan Castelino, Varnon V Mathias, Clement Lobo, advocate Derral P Vas, Ryan L D’Souza and Rohan Tellis introduced the award recipients. Jonita Noronha compared the programme, while Agnello Rajesh Athaide proposed the vote of thanks.

At the outset, the 28th annual general meeting of CCCI was held under the chairmanship of CCCI working president Albert W D’Souza. Founder president Vincent Mathias, immediate past president John Matthew, vice presidents advocate Pius Vas and Gregory D’Souza, former president Henry Lobo, director Lawrence Coelho were present on the dais. Rohan Tellis welcomed the gathering, conducted the proceedings of the meeting and proposed the vote of thanks.