Pics: Justin Erol D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Sep 2: Scholarships to meritorious students and health cards to the needy were distributed in a programme organised by John D’Silva Foundation, Mumbai, and Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh on Sunday, September 2 at St Francis Xavier Church hall, Udyavar.
Inaugurating the event, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi said, “Our Christian students are very good in studies. They bag top ranks in SSLC and PUC examinations. But when it comes to competitive examinations, our participation is very less. In recent years, only one student has passed competitive exam in commerce field from our diocese. I had a plan of motivating at least 25 youths from our diocese to join civil service departments in 10 years, but in last five years, only four to five students have successfully done so. We have to encourage our students to join public service departments.
“Most of all the families in our diocese receive benefits of Manipal Konkani card. As many as 13,347 families are beneficiaries’ of these cards. We get a benefit of Rs 5.5 crore from these cards. Catholic Sabha aims to keep our health in good condition. Their work must be appreciated,” he said.
Dr Ronald Anil Fernandes, member, KPSC, in his keynote address to students said, “I had written competitive exams in defence field 11 times. I failed in my first attempt but did not lose hope. I tried again and again. Try as much as you can and you will succeed. I assure you that I will help students from Udupi diocese who pass the preliminary exams and attended interviews. Attending interviews gives you confidence. The most valuable thing we have is time. Use your time for studying and utilize it for good work. There are many posts in KPSC. Annually, 15,000 to 20,000 posts are filled under KPSC. But the number of Christian candidates attending exams and interview is very less.”
Highest scorers in SSLC, PUC from each parish were honored by John D’Silva and Gladys D’Silva, promoters of John D’Silva Foundation, Mumbai. Distributing the scholarship to the achievers, John D’Silva said, “Since last 6 years, we are honoring student achievers of Udupi diocese. Education has no end. Learn as much as you can. Appear for competitive examinations and serve in public sector. Public sector offers good salary and job security. Start to focus on entrepreneurship. We should be job givers and not job seekers. Starting your own business helps in many ways. Taking part in politics also is the need of the hour. The number of Christians in politics is very low.”
Newly elected chairman of MCC Bank Anil Lobo, director Elroy Kiran Crasto and vice-pesident Gerald Jude D’Silva were honored on the occasion. Manipal Cards were distributed on the occasion.
Oliver D’Souza, participant of Republic Day parade from NCC and Edna Preema Machado, a candidate who successfully cleared Commerce competitive exam, were also honoured for their special achievements in respective fields. Scholarships for highest scorers in SSLC and PUC by Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh were also distributed.
Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, spiritual director, Catholic Sabha, Fr Stany B Lobo, chancellor, Udupi diocese, Alwyn Quadros, president, Catholic Sabha, Maxim D’Souza, secretary, Catholic Sabha, Mary D’Souza, president, Udupi deanery, Sanjay Andrade, secretary, Udupi Deanery, Ronald D’Almeida, president, Udyavar unit, Vivian Cornelio, Veronica Cornelio, Dr Jerald Pinto and others were present.