Udupi: IFKCA Samaja Ratna Award for Shirthady William Pinto, two others

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM)

Udupi, Feb 15: IFKCA Samaja Ratna Award-2012 will be conferred on advocate and social worker Shirthady William Pinto.

Addressing a press meet here on Friday February 15, IFKCA Udupi president Louis Lobo said that apart from William Pinto, honorary awards will be conferred on Railway Yatri Sangha president R L Dias and Pastor Sunil D'Souza of Vishwasada Mane, as they have equally contributed to society with their work.

Social worker Veronica Cornelio, S B Soans of JMJ Fabrics and James D'Silva Brahmavar were in the jury.

Shirthady William Pinto was unanimously selected by the panel for the award, said Louis Lobo.

The nominees for awards included those who had rendered their services in the educational, social, medical, financial and religious field at the district level.

The award is considered as one of the top awards in the Christian community.

About the Awardees

Shirthadi William Pinto

Shirthady William Pinto was born on March 27, 1939, to Shirthady Raymond and Mary Magdaline. He was always keen on helping the poor, needy and backward classes. In 1963, he began his law practice. He was inspired by former Milagres College, Kallianpur principal Gururaj and Roque Fernandes, father of Oscar Fernandes.

In the year 1974, the then chief minister Devaraj Urs introduced the Land Reforms Act which was later translated by Shirthadi William Pinto to Konkani and Kannada and published in 5 segments. In the year 1986, he chalked out zilla parishat and mandal panchayat rules which won him a place in the heart of the farmers.

In 2006 he published is award-winning “Kanoonu Darshana”. He has won various district and state-level awards, including Sandesha Special Recognition Award-1996, Rachana Award-2003, J P Samaj Ratna Award-2005, Jeevamanadha Sadhane Award-2007, Red Cross Award and Rajyotsava Award-2004 and so on.

He is married to Rosy Pinto and has two sons.

R L Dias

His contribution to the district in terms of getting railway facilities includes additional booking counter in Udupi railway station, second railway platform at Udupi, railway road concreting, rest room for passengers, Mangalore-Bangalore train service and additional compartments to many trains etc.

He was born on February 25, 1933 at Bantwal’s Navoor village. After finishing college he joined the army, after which he served in the forest department for 31 years. He is also the president of Parkala Balakedarara Vedike.

He is married to Judith Lewis and has five children.

Pastor Sunil D’Souza

Pastor Sunil D’Souza runs a rehabilitation center called 'Vishwasada Mane', where he helps the needy irrespectve of caste and religion.

Born on May 27, 1974, he worked for many years in the Gulf, before starting the 'Divine Generation Ministry Bethel Church Trust'. Without any support from the government, the organization strives to rehabilitate the mentally and physically ill persons.

He has also laid the foundation for a hospital with 250 beds.

He is married to Elizebeth and has two children.