Sr Maria Goretti, Lawrence D'Souza among Rachana awardees

Giving details of the same here on Thursday, Rachana President Marcel Monteiro said that the awardees include: Rev Sr Maria Goretti, Mother General, SRA, Austria (Rachana Outstanding Woman of the Year); Paul Tauro, Madyanthyar, Belthangady (Rachana Agriculturist of the Year); Richard Rodrigues, Mangalore (Rachana Entrepreneur of the Year); C T J Gonsalves, Mangalore (Rachana Professional of the Year); and Lawrence D’Souza, Kuwait (Rachana NRI Entrepreneur of the Year).

Stating that the awards will be presented at a colourful ceremony at Milagres Jubilee Hall on Novemver 27 at 6 pm, he said that IAS officer Dr Christy Fernandez, the secretary to the President of India will be the chief guest while Mangalore Diocese Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza will preside over the function.

The jury for the prestigious awards comprised CA Rudolf Rodrigues, Dr Meera Aranha, Casmir Menezes, Roy Castellino, Marjorie Texeira, Austin Peres, Louis J Pinto, Capt John Prasad Menezes, Ronald Gomes, Joe Coelho and John D’Silva among others.

The awardees

Sr Maria Goretti

Initiator and the first coordinator of the Dharmajyothi Social Centre in Vamanjoor which culminated in building over 900 houses for the poor and the marginalised, Sr Maria Goretti’s contributions in Karwar diocese include the establishment of the Marie Vianney Home in Honavar for abandoned children, the establishment of the Sponsorship Programme through which the education of over 5,000 children, the formation of ‘Children’s Clubs’ in various villages to identify and promote the talents of children, the commencement of ‘Alternative’ teaching for children with learning disabilities along with a nutrition programme, the establishment of ‘Study Loan Sponsorship Programme’ to help students from under privileged backgrounds to pursue college and professional education and setting up of a Youth Animation through Rural Development (YARD) centre in Haliyal, Uttara Kannada and the establishment of Computer Centres under the National Institute of Continuing Education at many towns of the Diocese Karwar
She also established several institutions such as School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centre, a Technical Training Institute for the physically challenged children in Bidar and an English Medium School and Pre-University College in Shimoga district. She is also a recipient of the Sandesha Award in 2000 and the Gratias Agit Award from the Czec Republic in 2004.

She was appointed Mother General of the Queens of the Apostles (SRA) congregation, Austria, in 2006. In the year 2002, she was elected Provincial Superior of Karnataka-Goa Province with headquarters at Vamanjoor

Paul Tauro

A first generation agriculturist, Paul Tauro is an inspiration and role model to “farmers to be” and a wider sections of agricultural community with well planned units of  biogas, composite unit,     sprinkler irrigation to his farm land.  

His well planned and modern outlook to cultivate high yielding crops such as coconut, areca nut and rubber in his 19 acres of irrigated land, earned him the prestigious award.

Richard Rodrigues

Managing Partner of M/s Karnataka Agencies, Mangalore, it operates at 9 locations in 4 districts with over 425 employees and a few more benefitting indirectly.

The strength of the partnership which survived for 30 long years without any hitch is itself a success of Karnataka Agencies which can be attributed to the highest degree of personal and corporate integrity, honesty, hard work, trust in its employees and a strong self belief, informed Monteiro.

C T J Gonsalves

The senior-most practicing Catholic Chartered accountant in Mangalore, C T J Gonsalves established the first Chartered Accountancy firm in Mangalore, that is enrolled with the Comptroller     and Auditor-General of India, which enabled his firm to undertake the audit of Central and State Government departments. His outstanding professional uprightness and total adherence toprofessional ethics and values besides his dedication and abiding love for music and his contributions to the musical art through his ability to play as many as nine musical instruments is noteworthy.

Lawrence D’Souza

Founder of Caesars chain of restaurants and confectioneries around Kuwait, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and other parts of the world, Lawrence D’Souza is one of the most respected entrepenuers in the community.

Presently residing in Kuwait, he owns more than 24 A-grade restaurants around Kuwait, Dubai, Bahrain and other Gulf countries, and more than 35 famous confectionary outlets. About 1,200 workers, from helpers to general managers in his companies are from the undivided South Kanara district.