Mangaluru: Prominent NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Ronald Colaco, who recently was awarded the ‘Certificate of Excellence’ by the World Book of Records, London, was on Friday felicitated with a ‘Civic Honour’ in the city.
Dr. Colaco and his wife Jean Colaco were felicitated with the ‘Civic Honour’ at the Father Muller Convention Center in the city by a committee led by former MLA J R Lobo, on Dr. Colaco’s receiving the Certificate of Excellence’ and also in recognition of his social service over several decades and in several fields.
Dr. Colaco was welcomed to the program with a conventional shobhayatre’, which included a musical band with conventional drums and trumpets, among others.
Archbishop of Bengaluru Diocese Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado presided over the felicitation program. Lobo welcomed the gathering and the guests on the dais. Archbishop of Mangaluru Diocese Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha made the congratulatory speech.
A documentary on Dr. Colaco presented on the occasion narrated his contributions in various fields, including employment, religious harmony, education, government departments, drinking water facility, relief to people affected by Covid, support for differently abled people, toilet facility, infrastructure and energy. It also mentioned the appreciation he has received for his philanthropic work, including the release of a book on him ‘Vishwabhooshana Dr. Ronald Colaco’ recently and the ‘Karnataka Rajyotsava Award’ in 2017.
A video of appreciation by Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Dr D Veerendra Heggade, chief guest in absence, was presented on the occasion. Dr Heggade lauded Dr. Colaco’s desire to serve the people but live a simple life.
Dr. Colaco and his wife Jean Colaco were felicitated by Dr Peter Machado, with Reena Castelino reading out the citation. Accepting the ‘Civic Honour’ and thanking everyone who had supported his work so far, Dr. Colaco said that he had been serving as a duty towards society and not for name or fame. “My wife and I had sworn together during our wedding that we would spend a part of our earnings for social welfare and have merely been fulfilling this promise,” he added.
The philanthropist said, “I am happy to receive this honour, but it would have satisfied me even greater had the organizing committee spent the time, money and energy on social service.”
He also requested all the members of the audience to take an oath on the occasion to serve the society to whatever measure they could.Dr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, Chancellor, Yenepoya Deemed University; Swami Jitakamanandaji Maharaj, President of Ramakrishna Math, Mangaluru; and Dr Machado also addressed the gathering. Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly U T Khader sent his congratulatory message to be read in his absence.
Former Chief Whip of the Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza gave the vote of thanks.Actor Aparna was the master of ceremony.
The Blue Angels choir offered prayers and also songs in Konkani, English and Kannada in appreciation of Dr. Colaco.
Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop Udupi Diocese; Rt Rev. Hemachandra Kumar, Bishop, CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese; Most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Mukkuzhy, Bishop Belthangady Diocese; Most Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao, Bishop Shivamogga Diocese; Most Rev. Dr. Henry D’Souza, Bishop Bellary Diocese; Dr. Shantaram Shetty, Chairman, Tejaswini Hospital; Rajayogini B K Vishweshwari, In-Charge Brahma Kumari Centre, Mangaluru; Maladi Ajith Kumar Rai, President Buntara Yane Nadavara Mathr Sangha; Rajshekar Kotian, President Rastriya Billawara Maha Mandala; U T Ifthikar Ali and Walter Nandalike were the guests of honour during the event.











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Visakhapatnam (PTI): Shafali Verma hit a blistering unbeaten 69 as India made short work of a paltry target to outclass Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.
India now lead the five-match series 2-0 after another one-sided victory, having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 for 9 through a collective display of disciplined bowling from the spin trio of seasoned Sneh Rana, ably complemented by young spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.
During the chase, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (14) fell cheaply but Shafali, enjoying new found confidence after a stellar show in the World Cup final, sent the bowlers on a leather-hunt during her 34-ball knock, winning it for her team in just 11.5 overs.
The hosts have now completed back-to-back successful chases within 15 overs which speaks volumes about the unit's sky-high confidence.
Shafali's innings had 11 punchy boundaries apart from a maximum.
The floodgates opened when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a few flighted deliveries and Shafali would step out everytime to hit her over extra cover. Her footwork against slow bowlers was immaculate whether stepping out to loft the ball or rocking back to punch or pull.
Seeing her confidence, the newly appointed Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) also attacked as the duo added 58 runs in just 4.3 overs.
By the time Rodrigues was out trying to hit one six too many, the match as a contest was over. Shafali completed her half-century off just 27 balls and completed the formalities in a jiffy.
Earlier, off-spinner Rana, who got a look-in after Deepti Sharma was ruled out due to fever, showed her utility keeping the Lankan batters under tight leash with figures of 1 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden which certainly is a rarity in T20 cricket.
Charani, who made an impression during India's ODI World Cup triumph, took 2 for 23 in her quota of overs, while Vaishnavi after an impressive debut in the opening encounter, finished with 2 for 32, not letting the Islanders get easy runs in her second spell.
The last six wickets fell for just 24 runs, but what stood out during India’s bowling effort was their superb ground fielding. After a patchy show in the previous game, the improved sharpness in the field resulted in three run-outs.
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24 balls) looked in good nick as she deposited length deliveries from seamers Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy over the ropes but it was Rana, who kept her quiet by repeatedly pitching on good length.
Unable to manoeuvre the strike and with the big hits suddenly drying up, Athapaththu chanced her arm at another delivery in which Rana had shortened the length slightly.
Not having transferred the weight into the lofted shot, Athapaththu's hoick was pouched cleanly by Amanjot Kaur at long-off.
This was after Athapaththu's opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne (1) had offered a simple return catch to Gaud.
Hasini Perera (22 off 28 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) did stitch a stand of 44 but they could never set the tempo against the Indian spin troika.
Once Hasini offered a tame return catch off a Charani full-toss, Sri Lankans never recovered and lost wickets in a heap towards the end.
