Mangalore: Rachana Awards 2010 Announced – Five Chosen This Year
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Dec 13: RACHANA - Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a registered body, which was founded in 1998, has always endeavoured to recognize and honour achievers from the community. For this purpose, it has instituted the RACHANA Awards, which has been a national feature. This year, eighth annual Rachana Awards are being conferred in the following fields:
1. Rachana Agriculturist of the year. 2. Rachana Entrepreneur of the year. 3. Rachana Professional of the year 4. Rachana NRI Entrepreneur of the year. 5. Rachana Outstanding Woman of the year.
The process of choosing the personalities for the awards began with Rachana calling for suggestions from the public through the media having wide coverage.
A panel of juries comprising the following 14 eminent members was constituted for the purpose:
1. Fr Walter D’Mello 2. Austin Tauro 3. Capt John Prasad Menezes. 4. Felix Albuquerque. 5. Dr Meera Aranha. 6. Marcel Monteiro. 7. Roy Castelino. 8. Prakash Pinto. 9. Ronald Gomes. 10. Norbert Shenoy. 11. Casmir Menezes. 12. Joe Coelho. 13. Marjorie Texeira, and 14. Louis J Pinto
The juries, after carefully scrutinizing all the nominations and achievements of individuals, have
unanimously selected the following for the awards:
Richard Rebello Heroor as the 'Rachana Agriculturist of the Year'
Richard Rebello, an innovative agriculturist, is the owner of A R Farms.
He has transformed a barren hillock into a beautiful farm by implementing innovative methods of rainwater harvesting and manure management. He has also implemented modern methods in poultry, dairy and beekeeping activities. He constantly endeavours to preserve rare species of fruit-bearing plants and horticultural crops. His mission is to preserve ‘Mother Earth’ and to improve the quality of our environment in this age of global warming.
Vincent C Koland, Mangalore, as the ‘Rachana Entrepreneur of the Year'
Kolnad is a partner in Nautilus Engineering and Construction Company involved with the export of port and terminal equipments from the city to various countries.
Their specialty product, marine towing hook, is being used by all five major shipyards in India. His company is the only concern in India engaged in this unique business in the marine off shore field with regular International sales.
Pascal Alan Nazareth, Bangalore, as the ‘Rachana Professional of the Year'
Pascal, former ambassador of India and author, had served the country for 35 years in Indian Foreign Service, during which period, he had functioned in India’s diplomatic and consular missions in many countries.
He is the founder and managing trustee of Sarvodaya International Trust, which is dedicated to promoting Gandhian values of truth, peace, non-violence, communal harmony and humanitarian service. He is the author of a book, “Gandhi’s Outstanding Leadership”. In recognition of his dedicated and outstanding services in promoting Gandhian ideals, in 2007, the prestigious, U Thant Peace Award was conferred on him.
Ivan Fernandes, Dubai, as the ‘Rachana NRI Entrepreneur of the year'
Ivan, an IT professional and entrepreneur, is an IT wizard owning an IT company, Ducont.
His company is a clear leader in mobile banking and commerce in the Middle East, and over 50 banks, in addition to several governments and telecom companies, have been using its technology. He is the recipient of several awards, a. Hind Rattan Award’ in 2006 given by the NRI Society. b. ‘Young Entrepreneur Award’ in 2008 given by the Federation of Konkani Catholic Association, Bangalore. C.
‘Pearl Award’ in 2009 by TECOM, a Dubai government entity. D. ‘Distinguished Alumni’ award in 2008 given by his alma mater, St Aloysius College, Mangalore.
Flavia Agnes, Mumbai, as ‘Rachana Outstanding Woman of the Year’
Flavia Agnes is a social activist and advocate, who is the co-founder of Majlis, a Mumbai-based Centre for Rights Discourse.
She is a women’s rights advocate and a public intellectual. A pioneer of the women’s movement, she has
worked consistently for over 25 years on issues of gender and law reforms. She has published numerous books and also written many articles for various newspapers and magazines. Some of her significant publications are ‘Law and Gender Inequality’, ‘Women and Law’ and the ‘Politics of Personal Laws
in India’. She also had produced a film, ‘I live in Behrampada’, which won the prestigious Indian Filmfare Awards, and a documentary, ‘A Woman’s Place’, was produced, based on her work on defending women’s rights.
The awards will be presented at a grand awards ceremony scheduled to be held at Milagres Jubilee Hall in the city on Sunday December 19, at 5.30 pm, the organizers said. Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, Bishop of Mangalore, will preside over the function. Governor of Uttarakhand, Margaret Alva, will be the chief guest, while Justice B V Pinto, judge of Karnataka High Court, will Inaugurate RACHANA Senior Citizens Welfare Trust.
The organizers have extended a warm invitation to the general public to take part in the awards ceremony, where awards will be conferred on the chosen individuals, besides felicitating them, to inspire others also to emulate the achievers.
President, J S Noronha, secretary, Peter A Pinto, past president and convenor, and Marcel Monteiro, were present at the press conference.
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