Moodbidri: Eric Correa's Souharda Nagar II becomes home to 31 families
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri
Moodbidri, Apr 21: April 20, 2013 will go down as an important day in the lives of 31 families of beneficiaries of Souharda Nagar II of phase I project of Puthige Village in Paladka, who were handed over the keys to their dream houses at the formal inauguration ceremony held at Souharda Nagar on April 20, 2013 evening. The beneficiaries with their family members in toe, were handed over the house key pinned to the miniature version of “akki mudi” (rice packed in haystack) which is believed to bring good omen in a new house. The keys were handed over by none other than the benefactors who were responsible for the project to become a reality. Not content just by handing over the keys, these benefactors extended their financial support and cooperation for the phase II of the project and demonstrated that it is humanity that takes precedence over all other aspects of human life.
Inspiring Gesture
NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Ronald Colaco, whose charity work and generosity is universal knowledge by now, once again showed his bounteousness of spirit by agreeing to pay other Rs. 20 lakhs for the Phase II of the project at this colony. It may be recalled that Ronald Colaco had donated Rs. 20 lakhs for the first phase of the project which was inaugurated today and his financial support proved to be the guiding force for Souharda Foundation to go ahead with the project and complete it in time. By agreeing to make another vital contribution to the IInd phase of the project, Colaco has demonstrated that he is the true champion of charity. It goes to the credit of Colaco that his charity work is quite infectious inspiring many others to be generous for work related to public cause.
Similarly, another NRI businessman Frank Fernandes who had contributed Rs. five lakhs for Phase I, has also agreed to pay Rs. 5 lakhs for the Phase II. Frank Fernandes is also another well known name for charity and he has once again shown his true concern for the charitable work he is well known for. Builder and developer Ronald Monteiro who is one of the benefactors of the project who had donated Rs. 20 lakhs for the first phase of the project, also assured his continued support in future also for the project.
Ronald Colaco formally inaugurated the function with the unveiling of the “Souharda Nagar” name board in the presence of a large number of dignitaries and beneficiaries and their relatives and friends who had gathered at the colony for the inauguration. The two roads of the colony are named after the two big donors namely ‘Ronald Colaco Road and “Rohan Monteiro Road” as mark of their largesse. Frank Fernandes unveiled the board of Colaco Road and czar of the cooperative banking sector M N Rajendra Kumar unveiled the board of Rohan Monteiro Road.
In his inaugural speech Ronald Colaco lauded the efforts of Eric Correa, the brain and the energy behind the project, saying he (Colaco) has been highly inspired by the Souharda Nagar I project undertaken by Eric Correa singlehandedly. Colaco stated “Bill Gates and Rupert Mudroch have contributed 50 per cent of their profits for social service. Azim Premji of Wipro has also donated 25% of his earnings to charitable cause. I have not gone to their level yet in terms of charity. But Eric Correa has surpasses us all by donating 75 per cent of his profits for charity. He is a role model to us all”.
Colaco also pointed out that there are lots of families which are struggling to lead a decent life and we have many social organizations have been working for their upliftment and betterment. Usually such organizations are run by the Christian missionaries and their greatness lie in the fact that they uphold humanity above all, irrespective of caste, creed, race or religion.
Considering that it is election time Colaco gave a suggestion to the assembled people to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming assembly elections. He said “Constitution has given us the right to vote. Exercise your right and secure your and families future for the next five years by choosing a candidate who you feel is able to bring about the development of the constituency by bringing in necessary grants, someone who can responds to your needs and requirements. While casting vote go by the individual personality of the candidate and not by the party he/she represents”.
Kaliyuga’s Danaveera
Frank Fernandes who had come down from gulf specifically for the inauguration function described Eric Correa as “danashoora karna” and said “In dwaara yuga there was danaveera karna but in Kaliyuga it is Eric Correa who takes the title of danaveera. I have not seen such a generous person like him in my entire life. It is like teaching a person to catch fish and rather than giving him the fish”. Fernandes said that god is human imagination, a sort of energy and strength, which we call by different names. God is nothing but the love, trust, care and concern we show to fellow human beings in our day to day living. Eric Correa has set a unique example by his service to humanity. Like maryada purusha Rama who held his motherland in high esteem, Fernandes said despite working in the gulf for 46 years he always remains indebted to his birthplace.
Young entrepreneur Rohan Monteiro acclaimed Eric Correa saying this Souharda Foundation has given a good foundation to the lives of hundreds of families. “I wish from 64 houses Eric Correa is able to graduate to 640 houses in the years to come so that the poor are able to have a roof under their head”, he stated.
President of SCDCC Bank M N Rajendra Kumar, who was also one of the guests on the occasion, said that while food, clothing and shelter are the basic requirements of humans providing a house is the holiest of the noble works. “I have given food and clothing but have not been able to provide shelter to others so far. Now this Souhardha Foundation has given me this rare opportunity of helping to give shelter to the have-nots. I will join hands with this project with financial help in this righteous task of providing shelter”, Rajendra Kumar said.
Fr Joseph Martis, Rector of St Joseph’s Seminary, who blessed the new colony and also conducted prayer rituals pointed out that the work of Souharda Foundation should continue so that more and more people are benefited from this inspiring act.
Mandd Sobhann gurkar Eric Ozario who also spoke on behalf of another guest and benefactor Roy Castelino, stated that Eric Correa continues to inspire people with his noble work and added “this work begun by Eric Correa will continue with the help of the people”.
Parish priest of St Ignatius Loyola Church, Paladka, who also conducted the prayer rituals pointed out that Eric Correa, has helped many poor realize their dream of having a house of their own. He also said that the Paladka church which is celebrating its centenary this year is planning to start an English medium school in the vicinity, which he said will benefit the people of Paladka.
Spreading light with people's support
Eric Correa, the brain behind the project of Souharda Nagar in his message stated that it is a proud moment for him to hand over the keys of the houses to the beneficiaries. He expressed his gratitude to the support given to Souharda Foundation which he said gave him the required courage and strength to continue the project.
He particularly thanked Louis J Pinto who, he said gave him the direction like a compass when he wanted to stop his work after the 1st project. “When there is no oil in the lamp the light goes off. Louis Pinto was “like a savior who provided the necessary oil and lit the lamp again to spread the light around”, he said.
Eric Correa also requested the people to help Souharda Foundation by generous donation to continue the good work so that the Foundation is able to go ahead with the II phase of this project. “We know that every drop counts in an ocean. I request people to strengthen this Foundation with their encouragement and active support”, Correa stated. He also expressed his gratitude to Austin Serrao the original owner of the property, Titus Noronha and his guru G L D Souza for their support, cooperation, guidance and encouragement.
Earlier in the evening, all the guests were escorted to the dais to the tunes of the Mother Teresa band of Honnavar. Titus Noronha welcomed the gathering. Fr Joseph Martis conducted the prayer rituals along with Fr Gilbert D Souza and blessed all the houses of colony.
The residents of Souharda Nagar II expressed their gratitude to Eric Correa by felicitating him on the occasion for helping them realize their long cherished dream of having a house of their own.
Eric Correa honoured the donors with flowers for their generous contribution for a virtuous cause. Project Manager Glen Douza, Civil contracters Dayananda Poojary, Vasantha Poojary and Shekar and others involved in the housing project such as fabricators, electricians, carpenter, plumbers, painters were honoured with flowers on this occasion.
MLA Abhayachandra Jain who could not be present on the stage was present on the occasion among the audience. President of Grama Panchayat, Puthige, Umanatha Karkera was also present on the dais among others.
G L D Souza proposed vote of thanks. Vincent Alva compered the programme.
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