Mangaluru: It was in the year 1998 that Catholic businessmen, agriculturists and professionals formed Rachana, with an objective of encouraging youth to take up entrepreneurship, for training them in investment and for supporting them with technical backup. In the last 20 years, Rachana has worked to achieve its goals and has trained over 200 youth through Rachana Entrepreneur Development Cell (REDC).
The youth who have been trained thereby have started printing press, Nano Taxi, poultry farming, candle manufacturing and other enterprises. Rachana has recognized the successful entrepreneurs, professionals, agriculturists, NRI entrepreneurs and women who have achieved in their distinctive field and brought them into the limelight, more so that their example may be emulated by the young and the upcoming.
Rachana had also organized Magnet 2014 Conference in April, which was attended by Catholic achievers from the world over.
Rachana takes pride in announcing the names of awardees for the year 2018:
Lawrence Pinto- winner of Rachana Agriculturist of the year
Lawrence has been awarded for his skill to convert the 20 acres of farmland into a model farm growing areca, rubber and coconut garden with animal husbandry to supplicate the income. And using innovative farming approaches towards irrigation, manuring and other activities like generating green organic manure within the farm through in-house compositing.
Social Work: Served 15 years as Gurkar of Algangar Church and also extended his service in Catholic Sabha, Parish Pastoral Council and Rotary Club as a member.
Awards: He has been awarded from the Moodbidri Co-operative Service Bank with the Excellent Farmer Award for 2015, K. Somappa Suvarna Award for 2016 from late Somappa Suvarna Neralu Nempu Committee identifying his services in agriculture. Excellent Agriculturist Award for 2017 during Silver Jubilee celebration of Catholic Sabha, Moodbidri.
Setting benchmarks to prove that intelligent farming techniques reap dividends in today’s world and society within the city limits.
Above all, silently being involved in the Agricultural Growth of our country where farm produce and supply is most essential to curb inflation.
Ronald (Roy) Castelino- winner of Rachana Entrepreneur of the year
Ronald Castelino, former president of Karnataka Konkani Literature Academy is popularly known as Roy Castelino. During his tenure, he has worked with the motto ‘Konkani education – Konkani literature – Konkani culture’. He has succeeded in his mission by providing all-around co-operation for the study of Konkani in schools, publishing of 75 Konkani books written by various writers on various subjects at two books per month and introduced ‘Mobile Konkani Bazaar’, a unique project to spread the flavour of Konkani literature and music to each and every household. Out of the 41 Konkani communities of Karnataka, Roy has interacted with more than 30 communities and organized more than 200 programmes to radiate the Konkani language. Roy Castelino has organized fellowship training and workshops through the special grant for the Konkani speaking backward communities like Siddi and Dalit Konkani people. The establishment of Konkani study centre in Mangaluru University is one of the important milestones of his tenure. He has also extended co-operation in starting Master of Arts (M.A.) in Konkani language in the university.
Roy Castelino has donned several responsible positions in the society. He is the founder president of Konkani Prachar Sanchalan and president for two terms of Rachana – Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Roy is the former member of Karnataka Konkani Literature Academy. He is serving as the sponsor of Maand Sobhann, an important cultural organization of Konkani language. He was the former treasurer of the World Konkani Organization and former president of Lion’s Club, Kulshekar. He is the present trustee of Sandesha Education and Cultural Foundation. He is serving as the president of Pragati Co-operative society for 15 years. Roy is also serving as a nominated member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council of Mangalore Diocese. Roy Castelino, who is a science graduate, established ‘Roy Constructions’ 32 years ago and is known as one of the successful entrepreneurs of Mangaluru. He is an able and successful leader without any doubt. Though he is a Christian, he has kept harmonious relations with people of all religion of the society.
Faye D’Souza- winner of Rachana Professional of the year
Faye D’Souza is an award-winning journalist and the Executive Editor of MIRROR NOW and hosts the flagship show, ‘The Urban Debate’. Over the last year, Faye has led the editorial team at Mirror Now, to break the conventions of news television and prime-time viewing to refocus on the issues that really matter to the Indian citizens. Faye’s focus on accountability of government, responsible taxation, safety of women and children, education, health and urban development has also resulted in several policy changes and impact developments that have proven that journalists can still bring about improvements in the status quo. Under Faye’s leadership, Mirror Now has been the recipient of multiple awards this year for Social media, Reporting, Anchoring and Editorial.
Faye is the journalist for the millennials – young, fresh and brutally honest.
She spent her initial years in the world of business news with CNBC TV 18, where she was in the thick of things related to state policies, economic offences and personal finance. She subsequently joined the TIMES NETWORK as it was stamping its authority into television news in 2008.
She has a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication and Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and English Literature.
Aloysius Richard Lobo- winner of Rachana NRI of the year
Aloysius Richard Lobo, BA, LLB, GDA, GDCS who hails from Karkala town of Udupi District is inspiring to young Mangalorean entrepreneurs. His ups and downs in the business life are truly a lesson to be learnt for aspiring entrepreneurs and the young generation today.
Lobo was instrumental in providing job opportunities to more than 150 Mangaloreans and Indians in general during his business days in Oman. He has also been a key support to many Mangaloreans to start a business as well as get a job in London. Lobo initiated the first public Monthi Fest celebration in London and ever since he has been inviting more than 350 Mangaloreans who work around the UK. He is the backbone of Konkani cultural events in London. After SSLC, Lobo went to Mumbai at the age of 18. In SSLC, he obtained 100% in Maths and 86% in bookkeeping. He completed two degrees and another four years of professional courses in Mumbai. In 1974, he went to Muscat as an Accountant. Soon he started meat business in Oman and he was importing an average 1,000 tons chicken from France and Brazil, 500 tons of Mutton and beef from Australia, 100 tons of tender lamb from New Zealand and 10,000 cartons of eggs from Holland and had around 20 freezer lorries serving the country daily except Fridays. Lobo reached London in late November 1990. Instead of doing meat business he ended up doing fish business without any prior knowledge of the field. He opened his first rented shop in London in February 1991. Lobo’s hard work resulted in the establishment of 17 of his own fish outlets across London. The outlets are aptly named ‘Lobo Fisheries’. In 2010 Lobo forayed into meat and poultry business along with his son. They established a modern factory to process meat and poultry on a 50,000 sq. ft premises for which his son received the Young Entrepreneur Award. Boosted by the response, they opened another seven chain shops to market processed meat and poultry.
His wife Christine is Ex Lecturer and the couple has a daughter Cheryl who is a Doctor and a son Keith who looks after business.
Sr. Maria Jyothi A.C- winner of Rachana Woman of the year
Sr Maria Jyothi A.C was born on 16-12-1943. She has the qualifications of B.A., B.Ed., M.A.(Spl. Ed) DSE(MR) to her credit. She is a nun belonging to The Apostolic Carmel community.
Sr Maria Jyothi worked as Special Educator and the Founder Principal of St. Agnes Special School, Mangalore from 1970 to 2001, as Principal, St. Agnes Teacher Training Institute for Special Education from 1992 to date as Core faculty- Special Education DSE(MR) from 2002-2004 and Co-ordinator RCI-Courses-DPEP& Bridge Course – study centre Madhya Pradesh, Bhoj (Open) University – Bhopal. B.Ed. Special Education (SEDE), Foundation Course on Education of Children with Disabilities FC(SEDE), Postgraduate Professional Diploma PGPD (SEDE) from 2001 to date.
She is the member of Governing Body – Community Based Rehabilitation Forum-Bangalore and of Sarva Shiksha Abiyana Mangaluru division.
She helped to open the institutions for the mentally challenged children that include. Lion’s Special School- Surathkal Mangaluru, Manasa Rehabilitation Centre- Pamboor, Lion’s Speical School, Venur, now Chirst Raj Navachethana Special School Venur, St. Mary’s Special School- Kinnigoli, Carmel Vikas Kendr – Bailhongal, Belgaum and C.B.R. Programme – Bailhongal, Belgaum.
She has received Rajyothsava State award for Social Work and Rotary Vocational Excellence Award 2004-2005
The award ceremony will be held on Saturday, 17th November 2018 at 6 pm at Milagres Jubilee Hall. The ceremony will be presided over by Rt. Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese. Dr Charles Lobo, IPS, Chief Post Master General, Karnataka Circle will be the Chief Guest and Mr Ronald Colaco, NRI Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, Bengaluru will be the Guest of honour.
Stany Alvares, President – Rachana; Elias Sanctis, Vice President; John B. Monteiro, Convener, Rachana Awards 2018; Felix J. Pinto, Treasurer; Anil Vas, Secretary were present at the press meet to announce the award recipients.
