Udupi: Three Young Business Persons Honoured during Prerana Christian Entrepreneurs Meet-2019

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 25 Feb: Three young business persons were felicitated during the Prerana Christian Entrepreneurs Meet at Mandavi Sabha Bhavana, Mandavi Trade Centre, Kadiyali Udupi on Sunday, 24 February 2019. These young entrepreneurs were: Mrs. Sharmila Bhuthello from Belve, Kundapur, Joel Mathias from Attur-Karaka and John R. D’Silva from Karkala Town.

 

The Prerana Christian Entrepreneurs Meet 2019 was organized jointly by the catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh and Karavali Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCCI), Udupi. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Jerry Vincent Dias-President (KCCCI). Other dignitaries on the dais included: Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo-Bishop of Udupi, Anil Lobo-Chairman, MCC  Bank, Mangalore, Ivan D’Souza-Chief Minister’s Parliamentary Secretary, Karnataka, Nathalia Helen Lobo-Income Tax Officer, Ward 2(1), Mangalore, I.R. Ferandes-President, District Small Scale Industries Association, Udupi, Walter Saldanha-President, Udupi District Varthakara Hitharakshana Vedike, A.E. P. Dukoria-Joint Commissioner of Income Tax (OSD), Circle 1, Udupi, Alwyn Quadros-President, Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh, Dolphy Lewis Secretary of KCCCI and Maxim D’Souza-Secretary, Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh.

 

Following the welcome address by Alwyn Quadros, The Prerana Christian Entrepreneurs Meet 2019 was formally inaugurated by Bishop Gerald Lobo by lighting the lamp followed by other dignitaries on the dais.

 

On this occasion, Ivan D’Souza was honoured for his efforts in persuading the Karnataka Government in establishing the Christian Development Board with a fund of rupees two hundred crores.

 

In response to his felicitation, Ivan D’Souza narrated the circumstances that led to the establishment of the Christian Development Board. Addressing the Christian business persons gathered, Ivan D’Souza pointed out the shortcomings among Christian business persons in entrepreneurship. He said that people who start business expect quick returns which is not possible. Those who wish to start business should wait for longer period, work hard and wait for the results. He lamented that unlike other communities, Christian community lacks cooperative spirit and fail to support fellow entrepreneurs for the fear of losing their own business. He made an appeal to Christian businessmen to come forward and avail government facilities in starting and developing their enterprises.

 

 

Delivering the inaugural address, Bishop Gerald Lobo said that while he was installed as the Bishop of Udupi Diocese he had a dream of bringing together Christian entrepreneurs under one umbrella and that dream was realized five years ago when KCCCI was founded with the support of the Catholic Sabha. He further said that there are many opportunities and resources in Udupi District for business but very few Christians take up business ventures. Secondly, our educated youth look forward to work in Gulf and other countries. However, situation in Gulf countries has been changing due to new laws and demand for jobs by their own nationals as a result of which many young people employed in Gulf countries have been returning to their native places after losing their jobs. Under these circumstances the youth should adapt themselves to changing times and try to find new ways of earning livelihood. These youth should get advice from experienced businessmen to start their own enterprises. There is no lack of talent among the youth. What they require is the right direction, advice and support. There are various avenues to develop business. The Jasmine growers can be organized in a form of company so that they can get better facilities and price for their efforts. Similarly, the coconut growers can be organized and their business can be promoted. There are three important aspects in business-honesty, hard work and definite goal.

 

Giving example of the rise of Mukesh Ambani as the topmost businessman in India, Bishop Gerald Lobo said that he has a cutting of the an article on Mukesh Ambani published in one of the dailies. Mukesh Ambani had a dream to become number one in India and used to work for 16 hours a day to achieve this dream and to maintain the number one position now he works for 18 hours a day. This shows the value of hard work and determination. Further, Bishop Gerald Lobo said to achieve success in business it is 99 percent perspiration one percent  inspiration.

 

Anil Lobo delivering his keynote speech said that our ancestors had been enterprising people in agriculture and horticulture. Citing some examples of hotels and shops in Mangalore, Anil Lobo also pointed out that many Christian entrepreneurs did well in their business. However, with the passage of time young people with higher education decided to move out of their native places to foreign countries for better paying jobs and did not continue their ancestral occupations. This led to the gradual decline of enterprises owned by Christians. Christian youth are hesitant to start any enterprise as they would not like to take any risk. Anil Lobo said that there are many people who donate a lot of money  to churches and individuals for the sake of name and fame, but they would not like to support any struggling businessman. Being  the Chairman of MCC Bank, Anil Lobo spoke about his experience in banking sector and narrated the facilities and opportunities provided by the MCC Bank to customers.

 

On this occasion Roshan Belman, founder of the Humanity Project was honoured for his humanitarian work. He was introduced by Dr. Gerald Pinto.

 

In his brief message, Roshan Belman said that hundreds of generous donors  are behind the Humanitarian Project and as their representative he was honoured to receive the felicitation.

 

Alphonse D’Costa announced the names of three young Prerana Entrepreneurs of 2019-Mrs. Sharmila Buthello, Joel Mathias and John D’Silva who were felicitated.

 

Replying to the felicitation John R. D’Siva narrated his rise as a businessman and assured the young entrepreneurs his support in their ventures.

 

 

Mrs. Nathalia Helen Lobo and A.E.P. Dukoria informed the audience about various Income tax provisions and impressed upon them the friendly nature of the Income Tax department.

 

President of KCCCI and prominent builder of Udupi, Dr. Jerry Vincent Dias was honoured by Bishop Gerald Lobo.

 

In his presidential  address, Dr. Jerry Vincent Dias narrated his own rise from humble beginning to be one of the renowned businessman in Udupi. He said that he had to struggle really hard in his life to achieve his goals. Though he worked in one of the Gulf countries, he had a dream of returning to his native place and start business which he did and with his hard work and support form family could achieve more than what he had dreamt of for which he thanked God for blessing his enterprise.

 

Dolphy Lewis proposed the vote of thanks. Prof. Larsen Edward D’Souza compeered the programme.