News and pics: Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)

Mumbai, Apr 29: The contribution of South Indians to the finance sector is tremendous. In that the contribution by the people of undivided Dakshina Kannada districts for the sector is noteworthy. In the circumstances I am also impressed by the service of the people,said Cardinal Oswald Gratius of Mumbai arch diocese.

The Cardinal was speaking after inaugurating and blessing the recently moved Administrative office of the Model Bank to the fifth floor of Center Plaza building on CST Road at Kalina, Santacruz east. “Banks will prosper only when they are run in the interest of its customers. This way the finance sector in the country and the lives of common people will also improve. The people of Mangaluru are known for banking. Therefore the people trust the bank. May the bank indeed grow as a model organization," he said.

The bank was started as The Mangalore Catholic Cooperative Credit Society Limited about a century ago and later converted as the present Model bank. The founder of the bank, John D' Silva cut the ribbon and officially inaugurated the Administrative office of the bank.

John D' Silva speaking on the occasion, said that the banking business is in our blood. “We will be trying to convert the bank into scheduled bank in order to serve the people effectively”, he said.

Bank's executive president Albert W D' Souza expressed his pleasure that the bank is about to celebrate hundred years of existence. “Thebank will soon open three more branches thereby increasing the total number of branches to twenty in order to serve the customers and make the bank prosper”, he said.

Maharastra state minority commission Vice president Janet Lawrence D' Souza, Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industries executive president Henry Lobo, Fr Kethi Immanuel, businessman Saniv Gavi and other elite people, bank's shareholders, well wishers, higher officials and heads of other branches were present on the occasion.

Biata Carvalho and Elvina Albert D' Souza led the prayers. Executive president Albert D' Souza and Vice president William Sequeira presented flower bouquets to the guests. Bank's assistant general managers Herald M Serrao and Kenneth William Sequeira compered the programme. Bank's CEO and General Manager Louis D' Souza proposed Vote of thanks.

Bank's directors Vincent Mathias, Lazarus Menezes, Paul Nazareth, Philip L S Pinto, Abraham Clement Lobo, Benedicta Rebello, Mariott D' Silva, Sanjay Shinde, Rony H Mendonca, Lawrence D' Souza and advocate Pius Vas were present.