Social service a way to fulfill my duty towards society: Philanthropist Dr. Ronald Colaco
Prominent Philanthropist honoured for receiving ‘Certificate of Excellence’ by World Book of Records
Mangaluru: Dr. Ronald Colaco, prominent NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist, who was felicitated with a ‘Civic Honour’ here, said that his work has merely been a fulfillment of his duty towards society.
Dr. Colaco was felicitated with the honour as he was recently conferred with the ‘Certificate of Excellence’ by the World Book of Records, London.
Dr. Colaco and his wife Jean were felicitated at the Father Muller Convention Center on Friday. The program was presided over by the Archbishop of Bengaluru Diocese Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado.
Receiving the ‘Civic Honour’, Dr. Colaco thanked all who had stood by him and supported him in his efforts at social service over the decades. He gave a special word of thanks to his wife Jean Colaco, reminiscing that, during his wedding, his wife and he had vowed to use a part of their earnings for social work. “I have only been fulfilling the vow we took then, considering it a duty towards society. My work has not been an effort to gain name or fame,” he added.
Dr. Colaco thanked the media for its support in not just earning him appreciation but also earning a doctorate for social service.
The philanthropist said that, while he was happy to receive the honour, “It would have satisfied me greatly if the organizing committee had spent the time, money and energy on social work.”
Speaking on the importance of social and religious harmony, Dr. Colaco reminded, “When all human beings have the same body structure, our roles as human beings should always get prominence over our differences in the name of religion and caste,” pointing out to the presence of people from various religions harmoniously in one program.
He also pointed out to the fact that a meaningful life is as important as the number of years we add on to our age. He added, “The most important bank balance for humans is in the ‘Bank of Heaven’, where the ‘richness of our hearts’ would be calculated on the basis of the hearts we won or responded to. Living on good terms with our neighbours is a basic step in adding to the balance here, in ensuring we get a shower of blessings.”
Dr. Colaco also spoke on the need for introspection, saying leaders in society were paying greater attention to pointing out the mistakes of others rather than analyzing themselves.
Closing his address, the philanthropist asked the audience to take an oath on the occasion to contribute to society to the best of one’s ability.
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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Centre approves Rs 1,115 crore to states for disaster mitigation, capacity-building projects
New Delhi (PTI): A high-level committee, headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has approved Rs 1,000 crore for various disaster mitigation and capacity-building projects in 15 states.
The committee also approved another project for training and capacity building of civil defence volunteers in all states and Union territories at a total outlay of Rs 115.67 crore, according to an official statement.
According to an official statement, a sum of Rs 139 crore each was approved for Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, Rs 100 crore for Maharashtra, Rs 72 crore each for Karnataka and Kerala, Rs 50 crore each for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, and Rs 378 crore for the eight Northeastern states -- Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
The committee, comprising Union ministers for finance and agriculture and the vice chairman of the NITI Aayog as members, considered the proposal to mitigate landslide risk in 15 states for funding from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).
Another proposal for training and capacity building of civil defence volunteers in all states and UT's under-preparedness and capacity building from the funding window of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) was also considered, it said.
Earlier, the committee approved Urban Flood Risk Mitigation Projects in seven cities at a total outlay of Rs 3075.65 crore and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risk management projects in four states at a total outlay of Rs 150 crore from the NDMF.
To fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of disaster resilient India, the Ministry of Home Affairs under the guidance of Shah has taken several initiatives to ensure effective management of disasters in the country, the statement said.
Several steps have been taken to prevent any extensive loss of life and property during disasters by strengthening the disaster risk reduction system in India, it said.
Under the Modi government, more than Rs 21,476 crore has already been released to the states during this year. This includes Rs 14,878.40 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to 26 states, Rs 4,637.66 crore from the NDRF to 15 states, Rs 1,385.45 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 11 states and Rs 574.93 crore from NDMF to six states.
