Mangalore: Curtains down on Rachana 'Magnet' world convention
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Updated
Mangalore, Apr 6: The valedictory ceremony of Rachana 'Magnet 2014', a world convention of Mangalorean businessmen and entrepreneurs at TMA Pai Convention Centre on Sunday 6 was held in the evening the same day.
Chief guest and the valedictory address was delivered by B A Cutinho, IAS, retired additional chief secretary, government of Karnataka.
Ivan D’Souza, president of Rachana, Walter D’Souza, chairman of 'Magnet-2014' organizing committee and John Monteiro, secretary, Rachana were present on the dais.
The summary of presentations of technical session-I was presented by Gerard Colaco and that of technical session-II was presented by Gerard D’Souza. A presentation on the Magnet projects was also held on the occasion.
In his valedictory address, B A Cutinho said, "Entrepreneurship has become a miracle in our country unlike in other countries like the USA, Europe and others. Entrepreneurship is not a risk taking factor in those countries; they welcome entrepreneurs.
"The main reason for this difference is the systems followed in our country coupled by the effect of olden dynasties that ruled our country," he added.
"There is scope for entrepreneurship in our country provided we follow two principles - cost cutting and creative destruction. Cut down the cost in setting up an enterprise and destroy unwanted aspects from the business. Choose the best field of business opportunities and grab the available options," he said.
John Monteiro proposed the vote of thanks.
Earlier Report
Mangalore: Rachana 'Magnet' world convention gets off to a unique start
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Mangalore, Apr 6: 'Magnet-2014' a world convention of Mangalorean businessmen and entrepreneurs organized by Rachana was inaugurated in a unique manner at TMA Pai Convention Centre here on Sunday April 6.
To mark the inauguration, entrepreneurs Rohan Monteiro and Albert D'Souza were each handed over a bag of coins, signifying wealth, which they deposited in a box. Bishop of Mangalore diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza then opened the box and the coins gushed out, thus declaring the event open.
Along with Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, Ivan D'Souza, Rachana president, Richard Saldanha, former chairman and CEO of Unilever (Peru), Abraham Chacko, executive director of Federal Bank, Walter D'Souza, convener of Magnet-2014, Derek Lobo, programme committee convener, and Marcel Monteiro, general secretary of Magnet-2014 were present on the dais.
Delivering the keynote address on the topic 'Build brands to build international business', Richard Saldanha said that building business without a brand is like putting cart before the horse. "The world is building brands before building business. Trading is about stocking and business is about branding. We have sight but not vision - a blind person is not the one who cannot see but the one who does not wish to see.
"India is a global economic power. We are among the top ten in global GDP. We stand first in agriculture, in production of tea, fruits, vegetables and milk; in mobile industry we are second and so also when it comes to English speaking population. These facts clearly prove that India should be a brand leader. We have potential but this potential is of no use unless it becomes kinetic. We are 17th in world population and placed 111th in global rating; we are the fourth largest country but the 19th largest exporters. We are behind Singapore, Belgium and Korea," he said.
"The world produces 200,000 patents a year but India hardly registers any patents. Without patent we cannot build a brand. Top global brands are dominating our market but not a single Indian brand is among the top 100 in the world, while Korea has three and Finland has one. We are the world's back office, let's become the front office. We have potential and skill, but we don't have will. Brand your products and take them to the world. Innovation is taking place at the speed of light, and we need to be alert and authentic. We need an organization which helps in brand building, and that organization itself must be a brand before building other brands," he said.
"Brands build a country and country does not build a brand. Do not blame the politicians and the bureaucrats, but start building your own brands," he advised.
Bishop Dr Aloysius D'Souza in his address said, "Rachana has created history by organizing such a big convention in Mangalore to help our community. There is a paradigm shift in the thinking pattern in Rachana - earlier it was individualist and limited to one's own business, but now they have opened up and are assisting others. The community and young entrepreneurs will benefit highly by this. Utilize the funds collected to assist new entrepreneurs to come up in the field."
Abraham Chacko spoke on 'Exim trade' with the help of a PPT presentation. He compared Kerala, Singapore and also Mangalore and stressed that 'small can be big'. He said Kerala has everything that Singapore has, and additionally also has land and education. But Kerala GDP is 65-70 billion while that of Singapore is 270 billion. "When Singapore can achieve such growth, why not Kerala or Mangalore?" he said.
He also presented facts and figures about Mangalore Catholics and said that the city has plenty of opportunities especially in export business with road, rail, air and port connectivity. He stressed that export business in Mangalore should be encouraged more.
Anil, owner of Rachana printing press and Joyce Dais who runs homemade products business were honoured for growing into entrepreneurs with the help of funds provided by Rachana Cooperative Society.
Ivan D'Souza welcomed the gathering while Walter D'Souza spoke on the themes and objectives of 'Magnet-2014'
Marcel Monteiro proposed the vote of thanks.
An exhibition of mini industrial products was also held as part of the event.