Dr. Ronald Colaco considers whole world as family: Archbishop Dr. Peter Machado
Civic honour to philanthropist in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: Renowned NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Ronald Colaco was felicitated with a ‘Civic Honour’ here on Friday, on being conferred the ‘Certificate of Excellence’ by the World Book of Records, London.
Archbishop of Bengaluru Diocese Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, who presided over the felicitation program at the Father Muller Convention Center in the city, expressed awe at not only the vast number and variety of fields to which Dr Colaco had contributed, but also the number of people who had gathered at the felicitation ceremony. “There are fans of Dr. Colaco from all sections of society attending the event today, which reflects the affection and respect that Dr. Colaco has gained,” he said, narrating an example of a village man asking a shopowner in the city for a ‘male fan’ and a ‘female fan’.
Dr. Machado pointed out that Dr. Colaco was a family man who had, in fact, expanded his family to the entire world. “No wonder he is considered a ‘Vishwamanava’, a man belonging to the whole world.”
Speaking further, Dr. Machado said, “He has no separate organization to carry out his work, yet, he has walked the extra mile in life, he has ‘extended his tent’.”
He also said that Dr. Colaco has presented before us the ‘Art of Giving’, as he has shown greater diligence in giving than receiving.
“You have made your community proud,” Dr. Machado told Dr. Colaco.
Archbishop of Mangaluru Diocese Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, who made the congratulatory speech, said that abundance, not scarcity, was a standout quality of Dr. Colaco. “His quality of saying ‘I have and I will help’ reflects his humanitarian quality. His contribution is an inspiration to all of us, as his work is carried out with a smile and a helping nature,” he added.
The Archbishop also said that Dr. Colaco had lived a life ‘beyond borders’, “Like doctors help as much as possible, without considering the background of the people. Dr. Colaco has lived the life of a Good Samaritan that was narrated by Jesus Christ.”
Dr. Saldanha said, “Dr. Colaco had a self-diffusing quality very similar to perfumes. You will never return sad, after you meet him.”
He also cited the words of Christ to ‘give and it will be given unto you, saying Dr. Colaco’s work shows he believes this and follows this.
Closing his speech, Dr. Saldanha said, “I have always said that he is a very good man.”
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 prayer 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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Cong indulging in anti-national activities, wants illegal immigrants to settle in Assam: PM
Namrup (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of engaging in "anti-national" activities and helping illegal Bangladeshi immigrants to settle in Assam.
The PM, addressing a public rally after unveiling a Rs 10,601-crore fertiliser plant at Namrup in Assam's Dibrugarh district, accused the grand old party of opposing the revision of voter list due to its only aim of grabbing power.
"The Congress is indulging in anti-national activities. They want illegal Bangladeshi immigrants to settle in Assam's forests and land. They only want to strengthen their vote bank, and don't care about the people," he claimed.
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Modi said the opposition party is not concerned about the identity, existence and pride of Assamese people, which the BJP has been trying to protect.
"The Congress is opposing the revision of voter lists as it wants to grab power... They oppose whatever good I try to do... The BJP government will always work to protect the identity, land, pride and existence of Assamese people," Modi asserted.
"Assam must be safeguarded from the poison of Congress' appeasement and vote-bank politics. I assure you all that BJP will stand like a shield to protect Assam's identity and honour," he told thousands of people ahead of the assembly polls.
The Assembly polls to 126 constituencies are likely to take place in March-April next.
Underscoring that BJP governments at the Centre and state are for the poor, tribals, youth and women, Modi said it is working to end decades of violence in Assam and the Northeast.
"Our government has always kept Assam's identity and culture paramount, highlighting symbols of Assamese pride on every platform," he added.
Addressing the rally on the second and final day of his Assam tour, the PM alleged that the Congress has inflicted "so much wrongs" to this country that despite "correcting" those for the last 11 years, a lot of work still remained to bring everything on track.
"When our government awarded Dr Bhupen Hazarika the Bharat Ratna, the Congress openly opposed the decision. Its national president remarked that 'Modi nachne gane walon ko Bharat Ratna de raha hai' (Modi is giving Bharat Ratna to dancers-singers), which is an insult to both Bhupen Da and the people of Assam," Modi asserted.
He said the BJP government's aim is to make Assam as powerful as it was during the Ahom dynasty centuries ago.
"Industrialisation and connectivity are fulfilling Assam's dreams. The double-engine government of the BJP is empowering youth to see new dreams," he added.
Continuing its tirade against the Congress, Modi said even when a semiconductor unit was set up in the state, the opposition party went against it.
"It was the opposition government that for decades denied land rights to the tea community brothers and sisters, whereas the BJP government has given them land rights and a dignified life," he added.
Expressing satisfaction at the presence of a huge number of women at the rally, Modi said: "When my mothers and sisters come in such large numbers, it gives me a special feeling. Many sisters have come with tea gardens' flavour and tea's flavour creates a special feeling inside me."
He also informed the crowd that when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India recently, Assam's black tea was gifted to the VIP.
"We facilitated the opening of Jan Dhan accounts for 7.5 lakh tea garden workers in Assam. Funds can now be transferred directly to their accounts, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency. The BJP government is also working to improve basic amenities in tea garden regions," the PM said.
Stating that India cannot develop without Northeast's progress, he said everyone is lauding Assam's development momentum nowadays.
"The benefits of development have reached the poor in far-flung areas of the country. Due to our relentless efforts, 25 crore people have been taken out of poverty and a neo-middle class has been created in India," Modi asserted.
The PM pointed out that fresh data has come which symbolises the changes taking place in the country.
"Earlier, among the poorest families in villages, only one in 10 had a bike. Now, nearly half the families in villages own a bike or a car. Mobile phones have reached almost every household and items like refrigerators, once considered a luxury, have now become common and found a place even in village kitchens," he said.
Modi said that the role of eastern and Northeastern India is continuously increasing, and the entire region will become the growth engine of the nation’s development.
"Namrup plant is a significant contribution of the Northeast to the country's fertiliser needs. Projects like this demonstrate that in the coming time, the region will emerge as a major centre of self-reliant India and will remain as Ashtalakshmi in true sense," Modi said.
