Prominent NRI Philanthropist Dr. Ronald Colaco felicitated for entering World Book of Records
Dr Colaco honoured for his contribution in building the state infrastructure
Dubai-based prominent NRI Businessman and Philanthropist Dr. Ronald Colaco was on Friday felicitated for being awarded the certificate of excellence by the World Book of Records, London.
He entered the World Book of Records, London for his social and charitable works by creating infrastructure support to the state government of Karnataka for the upliftment of society. The certificate was presented to him at the House of Commons, British Parliament in September 2022, during the Indo-UK Leadership Summit.The certificate was presented by Virendra Sharma, Member of Parliament, London, United Kingdom.
A special felicitation programme was held on Friday at the Ocean Hall of Clarks Exotica at Swiss Town, Bengaluru. Many prominent personalities from Karnataka and also from other countries attended the event and lauded the exemplary services being rendered by Dr Colaco.
Speaking at the event, Virendra Sharma, Senior Labour Member of Parliament, UK said the world was craving for love, peace and harmony and people like Ronald Colaco are spreading it. "Ronald Colaco stands in-line with former US President Barack Obama and other world leaders who are spreading love and harmony in the world. The world needs more people like them. Dr Colaco has distributed the fruits of his achievements to the entire state and the country. His family has also wholeheartedly supported him in this noble cause" Sharma said while thanking for the opportunity to sign the certificate of excellence given to Dr Colaco by the World Book of Records.
MLA and BJP National General Secretary C T Ravi, who is the Chairman of the felicitation committee lauded Ronald Colaco and added that he stands for the proverb "A pure heart is real temple". He further added that Dr. Colaco never says no to anyone seeking help or his services. State Government has awarded the Rajyotsava Award to Dr Colaco. He deserves an award from the Central Government. But we are not able to recommend his name as our Central Government doesn't consider recommendations. It's only a matter of time that personalities like Dr Colaco get their due recognition. He has already made a place for himself in the hearts of every Indian by his charitable works, said CT Ravi.
MLC Bhojegowda also addressed the event and remembered how Ronald Colaco has been serving people for over 35 years despite facing several difficulties in his life. "His life has not been a cakewalk. He was born in a family of a farmer. Despite this and several other difficulties he continued serving people and carved a name for himself. He has been following the principles of Rashtrakavi Kuvempu throughout his life." He said.
Former Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said Ronald Colaco has worked all along with the true spirit of India and is an ideal Indian. He also congratulated Dr Colaco for his immense contribution to the development of Devanahalli, which has seen overall development after Dr Colaco's intervention.
"People from all religions and faiths have benefited from his services, he has not discriminated between people of any religions and faiths. That's what true Indian spirit is and that's what India stands for." Dinesh Gundurao added.
Dr. Aarti Krishna, former Vice President of Karnataka Government NRI Forum, said NRIs across the world are proud of Ronald Colaco and his work is not just limited to Arab countries but is widely recognised across the world. She described him as a Proud Kannadiga and Proud Indian.
Accepting the felicitation, a humbled Dr Ronald Colaco, reminded the audience that it was a pledge he and his wife Jean Colaco took during their marriage to share a certain percentage of his income for the welfare of the society that has always inspired him to do and continue his charity works. He also requested the audience to pledge that they will spare a portion of their income for the charity works.
Vishwabhooshana, a book on the life and achievements of Dr Ronald Colaco was released during the event. The editors of the book S. Venkatesh Murthy, N. Narasimhamurthy and Me.Cha.Kotappa were honored.
About Ronald Colaco:
Hailing from Moodbidri near Mangaluru, Colaso began his professional career in Oman in 1975 before working in eight other Arab and European countries as an accountant.
He was elevated as commercial CEO for a consortium of three multinational corporates like CCICL based in Athens, Greece, Mannesmann of Germany and Saipem of Milano, Italy. He was involved in turn-key projects such as the construction of world-class petro-refineries, gas processing and re-injection plants, townships and airports.
He put his rich experience in diverse capacities to good use and became an entrepreneur, and since then it has been a saga of success all the way. Through his business acumen, hard work, dedication and disciplined approach, Ronald Colaco has become a successful entrepreneur of great repute.
Apart from being a successful entrepreneur in his own right, Ronald Colaco has been very active in promoting socio-cultural, charitable and philanthropic activities in his endeavour to give back to the society that he has come from, in a big way. His has benefited the poor and the needy people and various institutions and organisations irrespective of caste, creed, race, religion and language. He has been a pioneer in providing infrastructure facilities for the benefit of the larger public and has set a precedent for others to follow. Many MNC’s and Corporates followed in his footsteps to carry out their corporate social responsibility, resulting in creating essential international standard infrastructure in the state. "Acts of caring and sharing have taught me to find so much of satisfaction, happiness and compassion within me and to stay attached to the values that are connected to the common good," Colaco asserts.
He has strictly adhered to the pledge he took at the time of his marriage in 1983 to share a certain percentage of his income and since then has extended a helping hand to individuals, institutions, organisations, the government and to the society in general. His wife Jean Colaco has been fully supportive of his philanthropic and charitable endeavours.
Colaco has been the recipient of several national and international awards in recognition of his charitable and philanthropic activities including the prestigious award from the office of The Prime Minister of Australia through CSIA which conferred the '2015 International Recognition Award for Leadership in Service Excellence' at the Australian Service Excellence award ceremony held in Melbourne in 2015. Colaco was the only person chosen for this prestigious award internationally from among 80 countries.
His charitable and philanthropic activities cover a wide array of fields which spread across Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and overseas countries under different categories and fields.
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RSS 'banyan tree' of India’s immortal culture and modernisation: PM Modi
Nagpur (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the "vatvruksh", or banyan tree, of India’s immortal culture and modernisation whose ideals and principles were to protect the national consciousness.
India today is surging ahead by discarding the "slave mentality" and symbols of slavery, Modi further said after laying the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, a new extension building of Madhav Netralaya Eye Institute & Research Centre in Nagpur.
''We discarded the penal code which was made with a slave mentality and implemented the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Our mantra of vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the world is one family) is reaching all corners of the globe,'' he said.
The RSS volunteers are working selflessly in various spheres in different parts of the country, the PM said.
"The Sangh is the ‘banyan tree’ of India’s immortal culture and modernisation," Modi said. ''This large vatvruksh is not an ordinary one," he said, adding the RSS is synonymous to service.
Madhav Netralaya was founded in 2014 in memory of late RSS chief Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar.
Modi described it as an institution serving the society for several decades on the ideals of Golwalkar, the second RSS chief.
The new project will end darkness in the people's lives and expedite the service, he said.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was present at the event.
Modi said the government’s policy is to ensure the best medical treatment to the poorest of the poor, Modi said.
There has been a three-fold increase in the number of operational All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) under his regime, he said.
“Our government is making efforts to provide more and better doctors to people,” the prime minister said.
Crores of people are getting free medical treatment due to the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Modi said.
Modi said the ''tapasya'' of RSS with its ''sanghathan'' and ''samarpan'' in the last 100 years is showing fruits as the country approaches its target of 'Viksit Bharat' in 2047.
The 1925-47 was a crisis period as the country was fighting for independence and now, after 100 years, the RSS is stepping into another milestone, he said.
''(The time span from) 2025 to 2047 is important because big goals are ahead of us. We have to lay the foundation stone of the next 1,000 years of a strong and developed India,'' Modi said.
He said the risk-taking capacity of the youth has increased, they are making new innovations in start-ups and are also proud of their own legacy.
Crores of youth visited the Maha Kumbh (held in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26 this year), they have made 'Make in India' (initiative) a success and have become '' vocal for local'', Modi said.
The youth are participating in nation-building -- from sports to space, the prime minister noted.
Modi also said India launched 'Operation Brahma' to help Myanmar battling damages due to a massive earthquake there recently, and added that COVID-19 vaccines were being provided to several countries.
The PM greeted people on Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, starting of Navratri and other festivals being celebrated across the country.
Modi said he also visited Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur and offered tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, whose birth anniversary falls next month.
The nation is celebrating 75 years of the Constitution this year and the RSS is completing 100 years (of its formation), he noted.
Modi said the Madhav Netralaya was giving impetus to the health sector and the government's priority has been to provide better health infrastructure to all sections of the people.
''Senior citizens' welfare is the government's policy through the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The poor and the middle class are getting affordable medicines, and in the last 10 years, Ayushman Arogya mandirs have been providing daily medical consultation in rural areas. We have increased the number of medical colleges and the operational AIIMS have been increased three-fold,'' he said.
Underscoring the need for providing more and better doctors, Modi said his government had decided to impart medical education to students in their mother tongue so that those from the poor families can become doctors.
On the occasion, Bhagwat said the Madhav Netralaya worked hard for several years for people's welfare. It is inspired by the Sangh's ideology of selfless service, he said.
'' It doesn't look good that people are bereft of health facilities and hence, the RSS volunteers have selflessly worked to provide vision to the needy at the Madhav Netralaya,'' he said.
The RSS volunteers don't seek anything for themselves but work for others in the society, Bhagwat said.
Service is life's mission for the RSS, he added.
