Media Release
Bengaluru, Feb 5: Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations celebrated its 21st Federation Day on Sunday February 4 at Good Shepherd Auditorium, Museum Road, Bengaluru with the presentation of FKCA awards to three achievers from various fields.
The award ceremony commenced at 6.30 pm. Justice P Vishwanatha Shetty, Lokayukta of Karnataka, was the chief guest, while archbishop of Bengaluru diocese Dr Bernard Moras presided over the function. Ivan D'souza, chief whip, Karnataka Legislative Council, J R Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru South constituency, and R Sampath Raj, mayor, Brahut Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike were the guests of honour.
FKCA chairman Dr Edward Anand D'Souza welcomed the gathering and gave a brief on FKCA, which has over 32 Konkani Catholic Associations affiliated to it from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Chikmagalur, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Canada, the USA and the UK.
FKCA honoured three eminent personalities from the Konkani community for their meritorious contribution to the society. Paul Moras was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award, Corrine Antoinette Rasquinha honoured with Professional Excellence Award and Vivek Aranha was presented with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Addressing the gathering J R Lobo said that the Konkani community, which is known for service in the field of education and medicine, has failed to focus on competitive exams and produce bureaucrats.
Mayor of Bengaluru Sampath Raj invited the FKCA to contribute inputs for the upcoming BBMP budget.
Justice P Vishwanatha Shetty said the BBMP was working hard in making the city pothole free. "In a given time, the BBMP has rid Bengaluru roads of potholes," he said.
Further he said, "More youngsters need to take up civil service exams to make the country corruption-free."
The programme began with the Konkani drama 'Yours Obediently' by Arun Raj and team from Mangaluru.
Apart from the drama and award presentation, Federation Day celebrations included cultural programme, dance, and music.
Sunil Coutinho, general secretary, FKCA, read out the annual report, Clemence D'Silva proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Royston Pinto and Dr Seema Fernandes.
About the Awardees
Paul Moras - Life time Achievement Award
Paul Moras is an eminent personality and well-known Konkani activist, litterateur, researcher and social worker. He has rendered service to the Konkani community for the last three decades. He has also published Konkani research volumes and several research articles. His books have been selected for higher studies in Goa and Mangaluru universities. He has also been awarded by the Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Academy, Government of Karnataka.
Corrine Antoinette Rasquinha - Professional Excellence Award
Corrine Rasquinha is the founder of White Doves, NGO based in Mangaluru. A good Samaritan, leader, she is a name people in Mangalore are happy to hear, providing shelter, rehabilitation and more to the destitute street people without discrimination of caste, creed and gender. She has changed thousands of lives who were in need and reunited many destitute with their family members. White Doves runs two homes for destitute in Dakshina Kannada districts. Her NGO has been recognized by local administrations and national, international associations etc.
Vivek Aranha - Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Vivek Aranha, chairman Rosary Education Group, Pune - a multifaceted personality - is the head of the second generation Aranha family. The Aranha family has been a pioneer in the field of education for the past 58 years. Vivek Aranha, born in the family of educationalists, is a multifaceted personality with masters degree in education/sociology and English from the Pune University - a rank holder in his post graduate studies. Started in a small way in 1958, with one school, Rosary Education Group blossomed into a vast Institution with 8 schools, 2 colleges and a teachers training Institute under his leadership. Rosary has on its roll more than 10,000 students.