Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Jun 21: The new office of Rachana Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, located on the first floor of Pio Mall, Jail Road here was inaugurated on Saturday June 20.
MLA J R Lobo inaugurated the new office while bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza blessed the premises.
Addressing the gathering, J R Lobo said, "Rachana was born to support the entrepreneurs of Mangaluru. I am happy that its new office has been inaugurated today. It is lamentable that the Christian community does not venture into business much. Most think that there is a risk factor involved, hence they encourage their children to get jobs that fetch a six-figure salary instead of becoming entrepreneurs.
"Children should be encouraged towards entrepreneurship and to take up challenging jobs. The media also plays an important role, and Rachana has to plan on how to make the best use of the media to promote entrepreneurship. Media is very important if you want to showcase what you have to the world, hence use media to achieve growth in future," he advised, adding, "The Christian community has to think floating a big company by coming together and joining hands.
"Opening of a new office is a very big step. I wish all success to Rachana," Lobo said.
Kanara Entrepreneurs (KE) Global chairman Ivan Fernandes, who was the chief guest, said, "Entrepreneurs are the backbone of any community and the economy. They not only improve their own living standards but also that of others by providing them jobs. Rachana has done very good work in providing Rs 39 lac to 34 entrepreneurs. It has to grow to greater heights in future.
"Most Christians focus on how to make their children doctors or engineers, but rarely encourage them to become entrepreneurs. To become an entrepreneur you do not need to have big ideas. All big companies like Snapdeal, Google, Ola and others started in a small way. When they saw problems, they found solutions. There are no constraints in the present world - if you have ideas and courage nothing and no one can stop you. Entrepreneurship has to begin from home."
Ivan Fernandes also released Rachana bulletin on the occasion.
The 74th birthday of Mangaluru bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, which falls on Sunday June 22, was celebrated by cutting a cake.
Addressing the gathering, the bishop said, "I thank everyone for remembering my birthday and wishing me on this day. I have always wished to see that Christian community grow not only spiritually but also in terms of living standards. I am very happy to see the inauguration of Rachana's new office. We have capacity, we have talents and money but we lack courage. We are like a bunch of crabs - we do not grow and do not allow others also to grow. We have to grow together and help each other. We have to join hands, put ideas together, and invest together on bigger ventures. I wish all sucess to Rachana."
MLC Ivan D'Souza mooted the idea of building a Christian Hostel on the lines of Bunts Hostel. "Like Bunts Hostel, we need to have a Christian Hostel where we can train youths of the city to become good entrepreneurs. I will do my best to avail grants from the state government for this purpose," he said.
Donors, including the main donor Ivan Fernandes, who contributed to the Rs 35-lac office, were felicitated by the bishop on the occasion.
Rachana team thanked the bishop for letting the forum operate from the Bishop's House for the last few years.
Rachana president John B Monteiro, secretary Anil Lobo, president of Konkani Sahitya Academy and former Rachana president Roy Castelino, NRI entrepreneur James Mendonca, Stany Alvares, and others were present.
Titus Noronha compered the event while Anil Lobo delivered the vote of thanks.