Daijiworld Media Network - Toronto

Toronto, Oct 9: “How many of us gathered here can boast of an invitation to a breakfast meeting with the US president, Donald Trump, not once but twice?” asked Milena Marques-Zachariah, founder, producer and host of Radio Mango, as she began her introduction of Ronald Colaco, the guest of honour, at the sold-out 4th Annual Dinner Dance of Canadian Canara Vision Inc (CCVI) gala held recently.

Joining Ronald Colaco, a leading and renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist at this gala was his wife Jean and over 400 people, who came to show their support to CCVI and meet their fellow Mangalureans at the Payal Banquet Hall, Mississauga.

The audience was further acquainted with Ronald Colaco’s exemplary and invaluable contributions to better the world of others, irrespective of caste, creed or race and how he has been recognized with numerous awards. The CCVI added to this plethora, by awarding Ronald Colaco with the coveted Canara World Visionary Award. The award was presented to him by the other invited dignitary, Canadian politician and elected member of the provincial parliament, Rudy Cuzzetto. This was followed by the draping of the traditional shawl by the chairman of CCVI, Maxim Mendes.

The Canara World Vision award is the latest in Ronald Colaco’s impressive collection. His other awards include The Humanitarian Service Excellence Award, by the Australian Prime Minister, being the only recipient from over 80 countries, The Global NRI Of The Year Award from the Times Group, selected from NRIs of over 110 countries, The Karnataka Rajyotsava Award from the government of Karnataka, in the NRI category, and The Centenary Award from Indian President Dr Abdul Kalam in Bahrain. He was also conferred the title of Good Samaritan Award by the Bishop of Mangaluru, and numerous awards from London, UK and other gulf countries.

Indeed, it is his quest to help charitable causes worldwide that brought this all-giving global citizen to Canada. Regarding various awards including the one from CCVI in Toronto, Ronald Colaco stated that whatever social and charitable works carried out by him ever since his marriage to Jean, is certainly not for any award or reward, but purely with the true sense of his bounden duty and responsibility towards the society he has born in and the society that he has lived in and the society that he has grown up with. However, when recognition comes from an organisation like CCVI, Ronald Colaco accepted the honour with all humility.

After accepting the award, Ronald Colaco had the rapt attention of the audience when he said, “If you listen to me in silence, I will finish in a few minutes. If not, I could go on forever.” His speech was very insightful and relevant. He extolled the role of CCVI in the Canadian community for their commitment to a noble cause, being actively engaged in lending a helping hand to members of the community in their hour of need, especially at the time of death. He reminded the gathering that CCVI is contributing in a big way, by establishing 300 burial lots in the Meadowvale Cemetery, of which 5 per cent of the graves have been reserved, for the needy members of the community, free of cost. This, he reminded, the people that by having an exclusive and fully dedicated cemetery for the Christians originating from west coast of India, will help future generations to visit the graves of their loved ones, parents and grandparents, all in one place. He said, “This will enhance the identity of Catholics from the Indian subcontinent because when a person passes away, he or she is referred to as ‘a body’. By being buried in a community cemetery with a gravestone with your name embossed on it, you will continue to keep the identity given at your birth.”

Ronald Colaco further stated, “While CCVI has already embarked on a noble cause of securing a decent place to disembark upon final departure from this world, leaving behind your identity, it is also equally important to create your own identity while you are on this Canadian soil by supporting CCVI’s another plan to have a cultural centre of your own, so that you can promote your mother language, culture and art for the benefit of your children and grandchildren.”

He reminisced about himself and his wife’s commitment, at the time of their marriage, to donate a percentage of their earnings to charity. He encouraged everyone to make a similar pledge. He drew some laughter when he said that he had observed many couples dancing to the music of the ever-popular band Memory Lane. He wondered aloud if they were truly as close to each other at home, as they showed public display of affection.

Ronald Colaco further thanked profusely Gilbert D’Souza and his wife Janette as well as Vincent Machado and his wife Prescilla, for taking initiative in extending warm invitation by personally visiting them in Dubai. This whole-hearted invitation prompted Ronald and Jean to make this maiden visit to Canada. At the same time Ronald Colaco thanked heartily all the directors of CCVI headed by Maxim Mendes for bestowing the Canara World Vision Award.

Ronald Colaco ended his excellent speech by saying that it gave him the greatest pleasure to give his well-earned fortune away to help the needy. He has generously bought 10 graves from CCVI worth over $30,000 to help the less fortunate in Toronto. When asked jocularly by Milena, if the Goans and Mangalureans would fight among themselves, as they do now, trying to prove whose sorpotel is better? He was emphatic in saying, “No, they will lie in peace, together.”

The evening was fun filled with non-stop music, dancing and fabulous prizes with scrumptious dinner. The Memory Lane band along with DJ Kaya made the attendees rock till 1 am. Compere Ken Alemao conducted the event in his unique style and got the crowd on to the floor.

CCVI directors Arun and Jennifer Mendes, Albert and Josephine Soosay, Boniface and Sharon Viegas, Flavian and Miriam Pinto, Gilbert and Janet D’Souza, Martin and Vinalini Menezes, Maxim and Nancy Mendes, Nelson and Veena D’Costa, Peter and Werrel Lobo, Ronald and Dorothy Rego, accompanied Ronald Colaco and his wife Jean to the dais for the award ceremony.