Daijiworld Media Network – (NR)
Pics: Rons Bantwal
Mumbai Dec 06: Model Co-op. Bank Ltd.along-with the Mangalorean Catholic Education Credit Co-op. Society Ltd. (MCECCSL) jointly organized the 'Educational Prize Distribution' programme for meritorious children of its shareholders, states a press release. It is an annual affair for students who have excelled in the board/degree exams held every year. Model Bank encourages the students for higher education by providing educational loans at a concessional rate of interest. The bank also helps them to set-up their own business by granting business loans etc., at competitive rates of interest.
This year the 'Educational Prize Distribution' programme was held on 24th November, 2007 at St. Xavier’s institute of engineering premises at Mahim. 67 students were felicitated and the chief guest for the function was Josephine Vaz, principal of Jamnabai Narsee High School, Juhu. She has won the President’s medal for best teacher, informs the release.
Director of the bank George Castelino introduced the chief guest to the audience. Albert W. D’Souza, chairman of the bank welcomed the gathering and congratulated the meritorious students. In his speech he declared “Knowledge is Power” and appealed to the students to continue the education process and excel in any particular field, as many opportunities are now available in the field of Information Technology (IT), medicine, engineering etc.
The chief guest on the occasion Josephine Vaz in her address encouraged the students to take up the noble profession of teaching, as there is shortage of good teachers now, she pointed out. She also said that the emoluments in teaching profession have changed for the better. She presented the awards to the meritorious students.
John D’Silva ex-chairman of the bank and president of MCECSSL, also addressed the gathering and encouraged students to take advantage of Catholic institutions. The MCECSSL also gave away awards to 9 meritorious students. The directors of the bank present were Prem Aranha, Vincent Mathias, William Sequeira, Marita D’Mello, Paul Nazareth, P.L.S. Pinto, Prakash Fernandes, George Castelino. More than 200 shareholders attended the programme.
The programme was conducted by Edward Rasquinha, manager of the bank. The programme concluded with singing of the National Anthem followed by refreshments.