Mangalore University honors NRI Businessman, Philanthropist Dr. Ronald Colaco with Hon Doctorate
Mangaluru: Dr. Ronald Colaco, a distinguished Dubai-based businessman and philanthropist, is set to receive an honorary doctorate from Mangalore University at its 42nd annual convocation on June 15. Born in Moodbidri near Mangaluru, Dr. Colaco began his professional journey in 1975 in Oman. Over the years, he worked across eight Arab and European countries, eventually rising to the position of commercial CEO for a consortium of three multinational companies: CCICL based in Athens, Greece; Mannesmann of Germany; and Saipem of Milano, Italy. His career has been marked by significant contributions to various turnkey projects, including the construction of world-class petro-refineries, gas processing plants, townships, and airports.
Dr. Colaco's entrepreneurial journey is a result of his hard work, dedication, and disciplined approach. He has successfully leveraged his extensive experience in diverse capacities to establish a series of thriving business ventures. However, his success in the business world is matched by his commitment to socio-cultural, charitable, and philanthropic activities, aimed at giving back to society. His initiatives have benefited countless individuals and organizations, regardless of their caste, creed, race, religion, or language.
Dr. Colaco has been a pioneer in providing essential infrastructure for the public good, setting a precedent that many multinational corporations have followed in their corporate social responsibility efforts. His acts of charity have included the donation of modern police stations, the construction of Hindu temples and churches, and financial support to historic temples and churches. He has also built a Taluk Office, an Advocate Bhavan, and a modern double road for the government. His contributions extend to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, housing for the underprivileged, and various public amenities.
His philanthropy has been recognized with numerous national and international awards. Among these is the prestigious '2015 International Recognition Award for Leadership in Service Excellence' conferred by the Prime Minister of Australia, awarded during the Australian Service Excellence award ceremony in Melbourne. Dr. Colaco was the only international recipient chosen from among 80 countries. In 2022, he was inducted into the World Book of Records, London, for his social and charitable contributions, particularly for providing infrastructure support to the Karnataka state government. This honor was presented to him at the House of Commons during the Indo-UK Leadership Summit.
Dr. Colaco's charitable activities span Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and several overseas countries. His contributions include building and donating an international standard government high school, supporting over 70 schools, and providing substantial assistance to various healthcare clinics and hospitals. He has also donated houses for the less fortunate, supported arts and culture, and contributed to the development of rural infrastructure, among many other initiatives.
Throughout his career, Dr. Colaco has received numerous accolades and honors. In 2020, he was conferred with a Professional Doctorate in Global Leadership and Management in Philanthropy by the European International University of Paris. He has been recognized by the Institute Directors House of Lords of the British Parliament with a Distinguished Fellowship Award, and has received historic honors from the Premier of Ontario-Canada, the Australian Prime Minister, and invitations for breakfast meetings with US President Donald Trump.
Dr. Colaco's awards also include the "Global NRI of the Year Award 2017 in Philanthropy" by Times Now Group in association with ICICI Bank, the Karnataka State Rajyotsava Award in the Overseas Kannadiga Category, and several titles from the Konkani community such as "Vishwa Konkani Samaj Ratna" and "Pearl of Konkani Community." He has been honored by various religious and cultural organizations, including the Rachana Best NRI Entrepreneur of the Year and the Vishwa Bhushan title.
Dr. Colaco's philanthropy is supported by his wife, Jean Colaco, who has been fully involved in his charitable endeavors. Together, they have made a significant impact on countless lives, embodying the values of compassion and commitment to the common good. Dr. Ronald Colaco's story is one of remarkable professional success and dedication to humanitarian causes, making him a true role model and an inspiration to many.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Gujarat: Homeopath pays Rs 16.32 lakh for MBBS admission, gets fake degree; four booked
Mehsana (Guj), Jun 18: A case has been registered against four persons for allegedly cheating a homoeopath in Gujarat’s Mehsana who paid Rs 16.32 lakh to get admission to a medical course in Uttar Pradesh but received a fake degree instead.
Based on a complaint lodged by one Suresh Patel (41), who holds the degree of Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS), the Nandasan police on June 14 registered a case under sections 406 (breach of trust) and 420 (cheating), inspector J G Vaghela said.
The police have named Dr Premkumar Rajput, a resident of Nainital, Dr Shaukat Khan of Moradabad, and south Delhi residents Arun Kumar and Anand Kumar as accused in the first information report (FIR).
As per the FIR, in 2018, Patel, who works at a private hospital in Nandasan village, came across a website offering admissions into an MBBS course at Bundelkhand University in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.
Patel telephoned Dr Rajput, whose number was given on the website, to get more details, and following several conversations over the phone, he agreed to pay the fees, it stated.
The accused told Patel that he would earn a degree from the Bundelkhand University after completing the five-and-a-half-year course, and the complainant was ready to leave his job and move to UP for studies.
Patel deposited Rs 16.32 lakh in different bank accounts provided by the accused between July 2018 and March 2019, and they assured him that the course would commence soon.
However, Dr Rajput and others could not be contacted, and their phones got switched off soon after, the FIR stated.
In March 2019, Patel received a courier at his workplace, and he found mark sheets, a degree certificate with training and registration certificates in his name.
The certificates had registration numbers issued by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and Gujarat Medical Council, it was stated.
The MCI and the university administration later confirmed that the documents were fake.
In 2019, Patel gave an application to the Mehsana police about the cheating case.
A police team and Patel reached Sangam Vihar in south Delhi to trace one of the accused, but someone else was living there.
