Bangalore: FKCA Awards to Clarence Pais, Felix Lobo & Joe Lobo
Media Release
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore
Bangalore, Jan 19: Three eminent Konkani catholics, who have made a mark in the social, business and public life, have been chosen for the prestigious annual awards of the Federation of Konkani Catholics Associations (FKCA), Bangalore.
While Clarence Pais, Mangalore will be conferred the `Life-Time Achievement Award, Felix Lobo, Qatar will be conferred the `Entrepreneur of the Year Award’ and Joseph Wilson Lobo the `Professional Excellence Award’.
The awards will be presented at FKCA's annual FEDERATION DAY celebrations to be held at the St Joseph's Indian High School Grounds, Opposite Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore, on February 01, Sunday, at 6. 00 pm by Chief Minister of Karnataka, Dr Yeddyurappa. Home Minister of Karnataka Dr V S Acharya will be the Chief Guest and Ronald Colaco, Chairman of Federation of Karnataka Christians' Associations will be the Guest of Honour. Bangalore Archbishop Rev Bernard Moras will preside over the function. There will be a konkani mass at 4.30 pm, before the function.
Profile of the Awardees:
Clarence Pais, has been chosen for the Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the rare catholic who did not passively submit to the injustice done to Indian Christians. When he noted that the Indian Succession Act insisted on probate for Christians to inherit property but not for Hindus, Muslims and others, he began a legal battle to get the Act amended. Unfortunately the Supreme Court dismissed his plaint twice. Finally through the help of his friend George Fernandes, he got the Act amended and Christians do not have a burden of fee to be paid to inherit from a will. He was given the papal honour of Chevalier of the order of St Gregory. Apart from this, he has helped the Missionaries of Charity to start two houses in Mangalore with the help of members and President of Catholic Association. He raised funds for over a crore rupees to fund these houses.
He has won National Awards for excellence in cardamom cultivation.
Felix Lobo started his career with the UN but he later shifted to International Civil Aviation at Qatar. In 1994, he left his job and founded a Catering Business ‘Golden Arrow’. He also started a recruitment agency which did very well.
He then started the ‘Qatar Meta Coats’ in 2001. His company became the first one in Qatar to introduce the most modernized and sophisticated systems for installation of Aluminum doors, windows called ‘Alu K System’ from Italy. From then on, there was no looking back. His company handled various projects like College of Technology building, ‘Khalifa Stadium and Sports Hall’, Qatar Medical City etc. He has four workshops and an office. 250 people are employed in his organization. His company has three division Aluminum, Steel Structure, and Powder Coating.
Lobo is not only an outstanding businessman or entrepreneur but has involved himself in community work. He has helped many people, especially among the poor to get jobs in the gulf. His very special contribution is his effort to bring together the Konkani community at Qatar. With this in mind he helped in starting organizations such as the Konkani Culture Association and Mangalore cricket Club (MCC). He has also involved himself in community activity and as such served as a role model as he combines business success with true concern for the betterment of other human beings.
Joseph Lobo had a brilliant academic career right from St. Aloysius College and Roshini Nilaya, Mangalore. He has an Honorary Doctorate from Uzbekistan World Languages University.
Lobo is an example of outstanding professional excellence. Lobo joined the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an apex cultural wing of the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India, in 1979 and served as Regional Director, ICCR, Bangalore. He was then Programme Director of ICCR, New Delhi and Senior Regional Director in Mumbai. He has served with distinction as Director for Indian Culture and First Secretary at Port Louis, Mauritius and Director of Indian Cultural Centre and Counselor in Tashkent (Uzbekistan). He was also a co-ordinator for the highly impacting Festival of India at Germany. He is presently Director of ICCR, Bangalore.
He is a creative writer in Konkani and English. He has written a book on public speaking in Konkani, “Utteem Bhashangaar. He edited the ‘Yuvak’ Konkani Monthly. He started the Friday cultural evening programme at Yavankia in Bangalore, a programme so successful that it has continued since the last 26 years. He founded the Federation of International Student Associations. Bangalore (FISA – B) and the Hospitality Organization for Overseas Students, Bangalore (HOFOS) and other welfare activities for foreign students.
FKCA:
The Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations, established in 1998, is now in its 12th year of existence, comprises of 18 Associations of Konkani Catholics in the different localities of Bangalore, plus another Association in Mysore, two in UAE and one in UK. Many more Associations in other parts of Bangalore and different districts of Karnataka, in India and the world are in the process of getting affiliated to the Federation.
The Federation has made its strong presence in the community for the past several years by launching people friendly programmes like free placements service cell, Matrimonial cell. Entrepreneurs Forum and Free Medical camps etc. The Federation has also launched a Worldwide directory of Konkani Catholics on its website, www.fkca.net. Federation has also been helping the needy as and when required by conducting regular programs to create awareness and focus attention on their problems besides interacting with the various authorities.