IIPP to award 'Outstanding Community Leaders of Mangaluru 2018’ to Fr. Willie
Mangaluru, August 14: In recognition for his dedicated service to the community, Fr. William Menezes has been nominated for the `Outstanding Community Leaders of Mangaluru 2018’ Award by the International Institute for Public Policy (IIPP), an international organization based in Mangaluru for the cause of policy implementation for public good.
The announcement of the awards is made on the eve of Independence Day every yearby Max and Jessie Rasquinha, Houston/Dallas, Texas, USA, the founders of International Orientation Centre and International Institute for Public Policy. They cherish Mangaluru as their beloved `Home Sweet Home’ even after over sixty years of their leaving Mangaluru.
“We have observed the performance of Fr.Willie Menezes with an overwhelming joy for all that he has rendered at the Bishop’s House over the past ten years as a Public Relations Officer and the Estate Manager. Fr. Willie has now been transferred as a Parish Priest of Guardian Angel Church, Nagori, Mangaluru, and we wish him well in his new position at a prestigious Parish. He will be a “success story wherever he goes”, stated a press release from Max Rasquinha from the United States of America.
The ‘Outstanding Community Award’ will be presented officially during the visit of the Rasquinha family to their hometown later this year. Max and Jessie Rasquinha are keen followers of all developments that are taking place in Mangaluru. All the dignitaries who are dedicating their talents and efforts for our community and our society are always been noted and admired for future recognitions. Former Bishop of Mangaluru Rev. Aloysius D’Souza, eminent singer and composer Wilfy Rebimbos, former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde, founder of Daijiworld Walter Nandalike, Rev. Mnsgr. Fred Pereira, social work educationist and activist Dr. Olinda Pereira, late Rev. Fr. Ronnie Prabhu SJ, Sachitha Nandagopal, Joe Gonzalvas, Sr. Shruthi and James Serrao are among those who have received the `Outstanding Community Leaders’ Award in the past.
Fr. William Manezes Fr. Willie was born at Venur in 1958 as the first child of Ligouri and Benedicta Menezes. He was the eldest among six children. After his high school at Venur, Fr.Willie did his PUC at St. Aloysius College, and then he joined the Jeppu Seminary for Priesthood. Along with his priesthood, he has completed his college studies and philosophy under the Mysore University. He served as an assistant Parish Priest in Buntwal for one year and thereafter, he served as a Parish Priest in Padukone for 7 years and Kolalgiri for 4 years. As a Priest, Fr. Willie did his MA in history from the Dharwad University and LLB from Mangalore University. Then he served as an Administrator of the Fr. Muller’s Charitable Institution for 8 years. After this, he has served as a public relation officer and estate manager for ten years at the Bishop's’ House in Mangaluru.
After several decades of service in various capacities, Fr. Willie is now assigned as a Parish Priest of Angelore Parish where he will utilize all his past leadership skills to the best possible advantage of Nagori Church. As a PRO and estate manager of Mangalore Diocese, Fr. Willie was able to establish a good rapport with the political leaders, bureaucrats, police department and also various government officials and the media. He was also instrumental in organizing a media Christmas every year, and also a Xmas get-together for the dignitaries of the district hosted by the Bishop of Mangalore.
As the estate manager, Fr. Willie was able to settle hundreds of property disputes. He also updated property records of the Mangalore Diocese. Under his leadership, 24 flats were constructed in Talapady, Mariashram for the poorest of the poor of the society and St. JuzeVaz, a home for the retired priests of the Diocese of Mangalore which has won the prestigious award as the best building among the districts of south canara, Udupi,Shivamogga and Chikmagaluru.
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K'taka expects maturity, not 'impulsive commentary': LoP Ashoka slams Siddaramaiah over Iran remarks
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka expects maturity from its Chief Minister, not impulsive commentary on sensitive global affairs, Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Assembly R Ashoka said on Tuesday.
Ashoka's comments came in response to CM Siddaramaiah’s recent post on ‘X’ regarding US-Iran tensions.
“While speaking of peace, it (US) has chosen the path of war,” the CM had said in the post, as he “strongly condemned” the contradiction, and expressed condolences on the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Taking to X, Ashoka said, “Karnataka expects maturity from its Chief Minister, not impulsive commentary on sensitive international matters.”
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“India’s foreign policy is determined in New Delhi with strategic depth and national interest as its guiding principle. It is not shaped or driven by domestic vote-bank compulsions or electoral calculations,” he said.
According to him, responsible leaders exercise restraint when global tensions are escalating.
The BJP leader also drew parallels to past incidents, especially Operation Sindoor, where he claimed Siddaramaiah's remarks "created unnecessary controversy and embarrassment for our State, even being amplified and finding applause in hostile foreign media.”
“And now, once again, instead of statesmanship, we are witnessing knee-jerk reactions rooted in appeasement politics,” he said.
Ashoka further said foreign policy is not a stage for ideological posturing.
“It is about safeguarding India’s sovereignty, maintaining strategic balance, and strengthening our global standing,” he said.
Karnataka deserves leadership that reinforces India’s voice on the world stage, not statements that are conveniently celebrated by those who do not wish our nation well, he added.
Ashoka reminded the Chief Minister that his words carry weight and urged him to "rise above partisan calculations" and uphold the dignity of his office.
