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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Bengaluru (PTI): The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has collected over Rs 19 lakh as a penalty from 10,069 passengers who were penalised for travelling without tickets and occupying seats exclusively reserved for ladies in the last three months, officials said on Thursday.

The checking staff of BMTC have intensified checking of buses operated in and around Bengaluru City to detect ticketless travelling by passengers, they said.

According to BMTC, during the months of August, September and October, the checking staff checked 57,219 trips and penalised 8,891 ticketless passengers by collecting Rs 17,96,030 as penalty and 5,268 cases were booked against conductors for their dereliction of duty.

During the same period, they have also penalised 1,178 male passengers for occupying seats exclusively reserved for lady passengers and imposed fines by collecting Rs 1,17,800 in accordance with the KMV (Karnataka Motor Vehicle) Rules of the MV Act of 1988.

"In total, during the months of August, September and October, 10,069 passengers were penalised and Rs 19,13,830 was collected," the BTMC officials stated.