Mangaluru: The Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO), in association with Samanvaya distributed scholarships to 45 students and four NGOs at the Centenary Memorial Hall in St Joseph’s Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Jeppu, Mangaluru on August 11.
St Aloysius College Principal Dr Praveen Martis was the chief guest of the event. Samnvaya Director Fr Ronald Cutinha inaugurated the programme by providing an overview of the two organisations and their activities. This was followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp.
In his address, Dr Martis said that there was no gain without pain. Citing an example from the Louvre Museum in Paris, he said, “A tile and a statue in the museum are made from the same block of marble. The tile did not want the pain of the sculptor’s scalpel and remained a tile. But the statue bore it well, his eyes on the future, and today it is admired.” He also said that generosity was declining for various reasons and that we must be grateful to organisations like KCO for their contributions. Martis advised the students to use it well and help others whenever when they can. “When we receive, we must also give”, he added.
Every August, the KCO supports deserving and needy students aspiring to continue their education after SSLC and PUC. For this, the KCO has partnered with Samanvaya, an NGO which receives applications from students through various sources and scrutinizes them. Selected students and representatives of the chosen NGOs are invited to the disbursement programme, and scholarship/assistance cheques are distributed to them in the presence of KCO members, parents of the beneficiaries, and other guests. The KCO has been supporting this cause since 2004 and more than 1,400 students have benefitted from this scheme as a result.
Apart from student scholarships, KCO also provides financial assistance to four NGOs that are recognised for their humanitarian work. This year’s NGOs are St Joseph’s Prashant Nivas, Jeevadhan, Snehasadan, and Saanidhya.
Incumbent President CA Valerian Dalmaida said that the KCO will be celebrating its silver jubilee next year and anticipated the support of the Mangalurean community to continue doing the good work that they have been doing for the last 24 years.
He said that although they hold a fundraising programme every year to support their causes of Medical Aid, Education, NGO growth, and Community Marriages, the economic recession has made fundraising more difficult. He requested the public to contribute to the trust which is a registered entity and provides tax exemptions to donations under Section 80G of the IT Act. Addressing the students, Dalmaida said, “It’s important for you to help your parents at home in order to learn life-skills. Try and practice organic farming wherever possible and take up a part-time job to support yourselves as well as your parents.”
Founder-President Leo Rodrigues said, “The assistance will not cover all the expenses of the students and NGOs, but it is given to them so that they are also inspired to do well in society.”
The representatives of the four NGOs and the two engineering students who received scholarships also spoke on the occasion. They expressed their gratitude to KCO and promised to double their efforts for a better tomorrow.
Assistant Secretary Leisel Pinto compered the disbursement ceremony and later, delivered the vote of thanks.
