Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 23: The pivotal association of the Catholic lay faithful of the diocese of Mangaluru, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh, established in the year 1979, is all set to organise a mega convention of the Canara Catholic women in collaboration with the Catholic Sabha of Udupi diocese and the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, diocese of Mangaluru, at St Agnes Special School grounds, Bendore on March 4, informed Anil Lobo, president, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh.
Addressing media on Friday, February 23, he said, “The convention is held to coincide with the International Women’s day. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangaluru will preside over the convention which will be conducted with the objective ‘Effective Leadership of Canara Catholic Women for a Progressive Society’.
“Renowned social activist and the former chairperson of the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Board Veronica Cornelio will deliver the key note address. Ronald Colaco, non-resident entrepreneur, MLA J R Lobo, Ivan D’Souza, chief whip, Legislative Council, Sr M Lillis, vice-provincial general, Bethany Sisters, Fr J B Crasta, dean of the Episcopal deanery, advocate M P Noronha, secretary, Mangaluru Diocesan Pastoral Council, and Mishall Queeny D’Costa, IRS will grace the occasion. ‘Striyarigagi Sarakara’ (Government for Women), a handbook compiled by Stephen Quadros Permude will be released during the convention.
“At the beginning of the convention, a ‘Clean Environment Rally’ based on the ‘Laudate Si’ call of Pope Francis will be held at 8.30 am from Mallikatte to St Agnes Special School.
“Ten women achievers of the community in 10 different fields will be conferred with ‘Catholic Sabha Sthree Sadhan Award 2018’. The award consists of a citation, plaque, shawl and cash prize of Rs 10,000,” said Anil Lobo.
Fr Mathew Vas, spiritual director, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh, Valerian Fernandes, president, Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh, Anil Patrao, convener, awards committee, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh, Terry Pais , president, Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Mangaluru diocese, and Vincent Mascarenhas, convener, Media Committee were present.
About the awardees
Pauline Flossy Pinto, Taccode (Agriculture)
Pauline Flossy Pinto, wife of Leslie Pinto of Taccode, is a person who had a great attraction towards agriculture right from her childhood. For the past 25 years, she is engaged in agriculture, cultivating paddy and Coconut, Arecanut, Rubber, Pepper, Plantain and other fruit bearing trees like Mango, Jack, Chikku, Gauva, Cashew and many other varieties. Other than these, she also grows beetle leaves and vegetables. She rears cattle and was the director of Beerav Milk Society. She takes special interest in organic farming. Her interview has been broadcast in Akashvani, Mangaluru. Pauline Flossy, who is a BA graduate, is a multi-talented personality having bagged many laurels in sports. She also does community service in between her busy schedule.
Jessline Elizabeth Mary Lewis, Mount Rosary, Kallianpur (Differently-abled)
Jessline Elizabeth Mary Lewis who is the daughter of Cynthia Lewis of Udupi is speech impaired and has only 20% hearing. Her early education took place in various cities including Udupi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Mumbai. After her education, she learnt typing, computers, tailoring, embroidery, flower making, cooking and attained training in others talents/activities.
She completed her beautician course and worked in Kerala for a year. Returning to her native Udupi, she founded her own institute Jess Beauty Spa and Saloon and has been running it successfully for the last nine years. Three years ago, she started a beautician course in her institute and has been training differently-abled girls among others. It is heartening that among the many students of hers, five persons who were speech and hearing impaired, have successfully completed the course and are gainfully employed. Jessline has a special talent for western dance.
Juliana Lobo, Derebail (Education)
Juliana Lobo was a brilliant student of her times who passed her BA (Mathematics) around 70 years back from St Agnes College, Mangaluru. After teaching for five years, she earned her BT degree. Coming to know of her exceptional skills in mathematics, the Apostolic Carmel Sisters sent her on teaching missions to Kundapura and Sri Lanka, and later on, she settled at St Agnes High school, Bendore. She also taught in Capitanio High School, St Aloysius High School and Rosario High School. She earned a name as an exceptional Maths Teacher and hundreds of other students from the neighbourhood thronged to her house, especially during board examinations for tuitions which she gave free of cost, most of the time. She was also a social worker and silently helped numerable needy and poor. She dedicated her entire life in the service of the community. Many of her old students, who had been taught by her, still visit her at her ripe old age in admiration and gratitude.
Eulalia D’Souza, Bejai (Entrepreneur)
Eulalia D`Souza, originally from Kateel, wife of Donnet D`Souza, Bejai, is a successful entrepreneur. Her organization ‘Lia Travels & Tours’ is one of the reputed and organized tour operators of Mangaluru and Western Karnataka. Apart from the normal business activities of the travel and tourism industry, her organization is the authorized receiver of the Luxury Cruise Liners visiting New Mangalore Port Trust attracting almost 20-25 thousand foreign tourists in a season. She is a member of the advisory board of the Mangalore Airport Authority.
She is a science graduate with professional diploma in Travel & Tourism from IITC, Mumbai and Air India College, Mumbai. She has represented the Mangalore University Basket Ball team and the National College team. She is the chairperson of the sub-committee of women entrepreneurs of Canara Chamber of Commerce & Industry and secretary of the Rachana management board. She is the president of Sunrise Rotary Club of Mangaluru and a guest faculty in Mangalore University and other colleges, and an excellent master of ceremony and a reputed toastmaster. She has bagged many awards and honours from various organizations.
Linet Castelino, Nithyadhar Nagar (Government service)
Linet Castelino hails from a poor family. She completed her studies amidst great difficulties and joined the Karnataka Police Department. Since 1993, she is serving as an honest and upright officer in the department. Recognizing her honest and disciplined service, she was promoted a number of times. Being in the department she has helped hundreds of poor people, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, many a times swimming against the current.
In spite of the work pressure and untimely schedules of the police separtment, she has served in many community and social organizations in a leadership role. Presently, she is working assistant sub inspector in the Internal Security Division.
Mary Vas, Derebail (Health)
Mary Vas, who hails from Derebail, has served in the nursing field for the past 43 years. After completing her PU education, she got trained in Nursing and Midwifery. She joined the Karnataka Government Health Department in 1974 as Staff Nurse. After serving 2 years in Chitradurga District, she served at Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru from 1976 to 1990 and later on for 2 years in ESI hospital after which she took voluntary retirement.
She served for two years in the Defense Hospital in Saudi Arabia and returned to serve 15 years in KMC Hospital, Mangaluru as nursing supervisor. Presently, she is serving in Yenepoya Hospital, Mangaluru as nursing superintendent since 10 years. She has secured many awards and honours for her service in various departments of the health sector. Apart from her profession, she also does a lot of social and community service
Merlyn Rasquinha , Angelore (Literature and fine arts)
Merlyn Rasquinha from Angelore is famous name in the country, a terracota artist/sculptor. After completing her matriculation she earned her diploma from the JJ school of Arts, Mumbai. While she was serving in reputed companies in Mumbai and Bengaluru as a commercial artist she came in contact with Arthur Rasqinha of Simon & Co and they united in marriage.
Initially, she earned success in the creation of artistic utensils and decorative items. She continued her market research and ventured into contemporary and attractive artifacts for the market, especially ladies ornamental jewellery, in which she became famous. She is the founder member and vice president of the Karnataka Handicrafts Artisans. She has conducted many painting camps. She has also held fine art exhibition in many cities. She has earned a name in training girls who have discontinued education, through Terracota art camps.
Violet J Pereira, Bendore (Professional)
Violet J Pereira, Bendore has been successfully running her website Mangalorean.com since 2010. Though her profession is Journalism known for her fearlessness and dynamism, she has a great interest in social service.
‘The Parivarthan Charitable Trust’ established by Violet in 2016 is a beacon of hope to the transgenders. She is working tirelessly for mitigating the various problems faced by transgenders. She is also working towards getting justice for children who were victims of sexual exploitation. Through Fathima Education Trust, she is helping the children affected by HIV in continuing their education. She has been honoured by many organisations for her social service.
Remedia D’Souza, Belman (Social Service)
Remedia D’Souza of Belman is a well known figure in the social service circles in and around Udupi district. She has spent the last 40 years, serving among the downtrodden and weaker sections of the society. She was the first woman president of the Udupi district panchayat. As a founder member of the Catholic Sabha and Manasa Rehabilitation Centre, Pambur, she has rendered yeomen service as its managing trustee for nine years. She has been an active member of St Vincent De Paul Society. As a member of the land tribunal, zilla parishad, zilla panchayat, she has given tremendous service to the helpless and needy people irrespective of their caste, creed and religions. She has been honoured by the Rotary Club, Pingara Kannada Daily and other organizations.
Joyline Muriel Lobo, Shirthady (Sports)
Joyline Muriel Lobo, a 27-year-old, is an international sports person in the triple jump discipline and a national champion. At the state level, she has won the individual championship in athletics.
Currently working at LIC of India, she is the record holder at national level in LIC sports meets and has been individual champion at national level five times. For her stupendous achievements in sports she has earned a number of awards and honours including the state government honour and cash prize.