Mangaluru: Rachana, the Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mangalore is preparing to celebrate its Silver Jubilee on 3 November 2024, marking 25 years of service to entrepreneurs, professionals, and agriculturists. The event will be held at Cordel Hall, Kulshekar, Mangaluru, beginning at 6 PM.
Rear Admiral Nelson D'Souza, Commandant of the Military Institute of Technology in Pune, will serve as the chief guest. NRI entrepreneur Michael D'Souza and Rohan Monteiro, Chairman of Rohan Corporation, will be the guests of honour. The event will be inaugurated by His Grace Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado of Bengaluru, with Mangaluru Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha presiding.
Rachana President John B. Monteiro, Silver Jubilee Committee Chairperson Marjorie Texeira, and Secretary Vijay Vishwas Lobo will also mark their presence.
The celebration will also feature the launch of the Rachana Catholic Co-operative Society, an initiative aimed at supporting emerging entrepreneurs. A documentary chronicling Rachana’s 25-year journey will be screened as part of the event.
Rachana was founded following a workshop organized by the Catholic Sabha at Bendur Church Hall on 6 September 1998, under the leadership of Maritto Sequeira. This initiative, which brought together over a hundred Catholic business leaders from the diocese, led to the formation of Rachana on 1 November 1998, with its first general meeting held on 8 August 1999. John Alex Sequeira was elected as the association’s first president.
Rachana has played an instrumental role in motivating youth towards self-employment, providing training and industry insights through workshops, and celebrating accomplishments within the community. The organisation conducts regular meetings and events to foster knowledge sharing and growth among members. Since 2003, Rachana has hosted the prestigious Rachana Awards, honouring successful entrepreneurs, professionals, and agriculturists, with around 67 individuals recognised to date.
The current executive committee includes John B. Monteiro as President, Naveen Lobo as Vice President, Vijay Vishwas Lobo as Secretary, Walter D’Cunha as Joint Secretary, Nelson Monteiro as Treasurer, and other committee members dedicated to Rachana’s mission.
The press meet, held today at the Press Club in Mangaluru, was attended by key representatives including President John B. Monteiro, Convenor Marjorie Texeira, and executive committee members.




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Balurghat (WB) (PTI): BJP president Nitin Nabin on Sunday blamed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and opposition parties such as the Congress for the setback to the implementation of women's reservation in legislatures.
Addressing a rally in support of BJP candidate Bidyut Roy in Balurghat, Nabin said removing the TMC from power had become essential to drive out infiltrators from Bengal, prevent demographic change and safeguard national security.
"Despite being a woman, Mamata Banerjee betrayed the women of Bengal by conspiring with parties like the Congress so that the women's reservation bill could not be passed in the Lok Sabha," he alleged.
Urging women voters in the state to "teach her a lesson", he claimed that the TMC government had failed to ensure the safety and security of women, citing incidents such as those at RG Kar hospital and the medical college in Durgapur.
A Constitution Amendment Bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated on Friday.
Nabin also accused the chief minister of protecting infiltrators and said the BJP, if voted to power, would ensure good governance.
"Infiltrators will be driven out, and every bona fide citizen will be able to live peacefully in a secure environment if the BJP comes to power," he said.
Nabin said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had delivered on promises and prioritised national security, citing the abrogation of Article 370 and surgical strikes against Pakistan-backed terrorists.
"We need a government in Bengal which will ensure the state's well-being and security in every aspect," he said.
Appealing to voters to back the BJP, Nabin said, "If not now, then never."
"Let it be a historic victory. A new dawn will come, and after May 4, a government that will look after the aspirations of mothers, sisters, youth, the elderly and farmers will be installed in Bengal," he said.
At another election rally at Ratua in Malda district, Nabin claimed that time has come for the chief minister to “bid goodbye”.
Alleging deterioration in law and order, he said women were unsafe “from Park Street to Kamduni, and from R G Kar to Durgapur Medical College”, while there were many “unreported cases”.
He also alleged the involvement of ruling party leaders in various illegal activities.
“Wait for a few days. Members of the ‘bhaipo (nephew) syndicate’ of the TMC will be on the run, and caught one by one with legal action taken against them,” Nabin asserted.
He was referring to allegations by state BJP leaders about extortion syndicates “patronised by top TMC leaders” running into crores of rupees.
“At least one minister had been jailed, while many officials are behind the bars. Those involved in corruption would face strict action after May 4,” the BJP chief said.
Promising employment and welfare measures, Nabin said a BJP government would create job opportunities for the youth and ensure support for farmers.
He also assured the people of transparent recruitment based on merit, implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, and direct transfer of benefits to bank accounts without “cut money” (commission).
Referring to the ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ slogan of the Narendra Modi government, Nabin said “there will be inclusive growth involving all sections of society under the double engine government.”
“There will be no appeasement for one particular community, which caused change in the demography in several border districts of Bengal,” he said.
Nabin also took part in a programme of the ‘Balmiki Samaj’ – an outfit of backward Hindu castes – where he stressed on the need for inclusive growth.
Earlier, the BJP president led a colourful roadshow covering around 2 km in Balurghat town and adjoining areas of Dakshin Dinajpur district.
