Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Sep 27: Well-known NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Ronald Colaco has been chosen for the prestigious Bhartiya Mahantam Vikas Puraskar 2019-20, instituted by AsiaOne Magazine, one of Asia's leading media spread across India, Singapore, and the Middle East.
The award is the highest non-government research-based civilian award for Indians across Asia and GCC, and the only non-governmental initiative comprising jury scoring, public polling and a scientific research methodology. The award is presented to extraordinary leaders from various fields who have dedicated their lives to the development of India. Nominations are made from 16 industries - one each from automotive, education, energy and power, finance, food and beverages, healthcare, household products, infrastructure, IT and telecom, lifestyle, manufacturing, media and entertainment, personal care, real estate, retail and services. The jury is comprised of 40 eminent members, and participation of the masses, through public polling and involvement of consumers and industry, is also part of the selection process.
After extensive research and public participation through online polling, Ronald Colaco was among the 9 luminaries chosen from various fields to receive the award. The award ceremony was supposed to be held in Bangkok, Thailand but due to the pandemic, the award has been home delivered in Bangalore while Colaco and his family are in Dubai.
Ronald Colaco has reached-out to needy people during the April-May lockdown period in a big way. In his individual capacity without recording videos or pasting stickers on packets, he distributed 20 varieties of food grains bags to about 20,000 families of villagers, Asha workers, Anganawadi workers, health workers, organizations of handicapped, 7 police station staff families, migrant workers, journalists and many other sections of the society. His silent work during the lockdown was hailed by villagers in particular in his native place in Bengaluru.
About Ronald Colaco
Ronald Colaco is an NRI businessman based in Dubai, whose ancestors originally hailed from Moodbidri near Mangaluru taluk. He started his professional career in Oman during 1975 and worked across eight Gulf and European countries. He was elevated as commercial CEO for a consortium of three giant multinational corporates involved in turn-key projects such as the construction of world-class petro-refineries, gas processing and re-injection plants, townships and airports, each turnkey project worth over 2.5 billion dollars, which was double the budget amount of our Karnataka State at that point of time.
Apart from being a successful entrepreneur, Ronald Colaco has been active in promoting socio-cultural, charitable and philanthropic activities in his endeavor to give back to the society that he has come from, in a big way. His largesse has benefitted the poor and the needy people and various institutions and organisations irrespective of caste, creed, race, religion and language. He has been a pioneer in providing infrastructure facilities for the benefit of the larger public and has set a precedent for others to follow.
Colaco has been the recipient of a number of national and international awards in recognition of his charitable and philanthropic activities including the prestigious award from the office of The Prime Minister of Australia through CSIA which conferred the “2015 International Recognition Award for Leadership in Service Excellence” at the Australian Service Excellence award ceremony held in Melbourne in 2015, the only person chosen for this prestigious award internationally from among 80 countries. In 2017 and then again in 2018, he became one of the few delegates from world over to have the privilege of being invited to share breakfast with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC.
The same year, Colaco was conferred the prestigious Times Now Global NRI of the Year award in philanthropy being the only person chosen from NRIs among 110 countries. For the first time in the history of Ontario’s Parliament, Premier of Ontario, Canada, Mr Dough Ford invited Ronald Colaco and his wife to the Parliament House, Queen’s Park, Toronto on October 15, 2018 and honored him in the presence of few dignitaries by presenting a Letter of appreciation stating that “Your Internationally recognized humanitarian services for the less fortunate, is an inspiration for all of us.” The same day the Member of Parliament of Mississauga Rudy Cuzzetto also honored him in the Parliament by presenting a portrait of Colaco receiving Visionary Award in Canada with his write up.
Colaco’s other awards include, Centenary award in Bahrain by former President Abdul Kalam, The Pearl of Konkan in London, Konkan Ratn in Dubai by UAE Ambassador, Konkan Kunvor in Kuwait, Konkan Raai Saheb in Oman, Tulunada Bolpu in Qatar, Karnataka Rajyotsava award from the Chief Minister, Good Samaritan award from Mangalore diocese, Chaitanya Shree award from Shimoga Diocese, Vishwa Konkan Samaj Ratn by LK Advani, Vishwa Ratna Award by MMCA and several other awards from USA, Europe and Gulf countries.
Ronald Colaco - Epitome of Philanthropy
The saying 'Philanthropy is not about money, it is about feeling the pain of others and caring enough about their needs to help' is synonymous with the service-oriented work done by Ronald Colaco.
Ronald Colaco, who reached the pinnacle of success through sheer self-belief and hard work, is recognized as a shrewd entrepreneur globally. He was born in a middle-class agriculturist family. So it is natural for him to reciprocate to the difficulties of people of middle and poorer sections of the society. His attribute of contributing to the society what it has given an individual has made him today one of the biggest donors of India. When it comes to serving the society and people, the achievement of Ronald Colace stands heads and shoulders above others.
Titles like hope of poor, lover of education, nurturer of talent and social reformer are apt for Ronald Colaco. It is a proud feeling for every Kannadiga that Ronald Colace is known at the international level more because of his philanthropy than his achievements in business.
A brief picture of Ronald Colaco, known as 'Kaliyuga Karna' is given in this article. However, as per the saying, 'The results of philanthropy are always beyond calculation', the effect of Ronald Colaco's contribution on the society is immeasurable.
Details of service done by Ronald Colaco to the society can be broadly classified as here under:
1. People-friendly Public Services
2. Contributions to health sector & in eradication of chemical substance abuse
3. Contributions to Police department of the Capital
4. Contributions in the field of education
5. Contributions to housing for poor
6. Drinking water facility to Water Scarce villages
7. Contributions to Panchayat Raj department
8. Contribution to Judiciary Department
9. Contribution to Horticulture Department
10. Contribution to PWD / Zilla Panchayat for Roads
11. Contributions for community Centres
12. Contributions to Revenue department
13. Aid towards natural disasters and Covid-19 pandemic
14. Contributions in religious field of 3 major communities
15. Contributions in the field of art and culture
16. Assistance & encouragement to athletes
17. Contributions for mass marriages of economically poor people of society
18. Aid to organizations taking care of differently abled, psychologically ill and orphans
19. Helping hand to youth for training of their work skills
20. Helping youth of Christian community to prepare for competitive examinations
21. Suggestions to State Government for the development of essential infrastructure
22. Providing aid even to Departed Souls
People-friendly Public Services:
Ronald Colaco holds the distinction of being first civilian in the entire country of pioneering act of providing a fully equipped and furnished Police Station with a building of 5000 + 3000 square feet in Frazer Town of Bangalore, an ultra-modern building for lawyers near the Bangalore International airport, and a well-equipped and completely furnished taluk office at Devanahalli. He has also provided partition and complete furniture for the Mini Vidhana Soudha that is built near the Bangalore International airport. He has completed a half-built and deserted Kannamangala Gram Panchayat Building with all furniture & fixtures for their effective functioning and at the same time that of Jalige Panchayat Building’s finishing works and furnishings, in Devanahalli Taluk.
LINK
Contributions to health sector and in eradication of chemical substance abuse
Ronald Colaco established an organization called 'LINK' in 1991 in the city of Mangaluru at the initiative of one Mr. T.S. Thomas, an MSW student from the Roshni Nilaya College. Apart from bearing its operating expenses for all these years, Colaco has donated a fully equipped hospital with 65 bed capacity, having counselling and de-addiction facilities at this center. LINK has saved and brought back to the mainstream, more than 26,000 families, from 1991 to 2019, who were victims of narcotics, alcohol and tobacco and who had been cut away from the realities of life.
Colaco has immensely contributed financially for the establishment of free eye clinic at Mulki near Mangaluru. He has also provided financial aid towards the cancer center that was opened at prestigious Father Muller hospital in Mangaluru, and given a huge financial aid to Diocesan Medical Relief fund of Mangaluru by Colaco. Colaco also gave financial aid for fixing artificial fingers of palm to a priest, who had lost his fingers in a railway accident, protection and CCTV camera facilities at Red Cross Hospital, Chikkamagalur and aid to CSI REDFERN Memorial Hospital in Hassan.
Contributions to Police department of the Capital
State-of-art Frazer Town Police Station
As a pioneering act in the entire country, Colaco has donated a well-equipped, 5000 square feet, police station with ultra-modern facilities, complete furniture and infrastructure to the law and order and crime department of police at Frazer Town of Bengaluru. He has also re-built the traffic police station of 3,000 square feet area, in Frazer Town. Colaco has provided uniform, school bags and books for nearly 500 to 550 children of police personnel of Mangaluru and Udupi for two years in succession. In two years nearly Rs 26 Lakhs was distributed to eligible meritorious 10th and 12th grade children of police personnel of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi by Colaco as scholarship in order to encourage these children to study well aiming for the incentive so that their Police parents can concentrate more efficiently on their jobs. The scholarship expenses of second year was borne by Nigel Colaco, eldest son of Ronald Colaco. Colaco has furnished and given Chikkajala Police Station, senior Police Officer’s mess / club in Bangalore City, Bangalore North D.C.P’s Office, etc.
Contributions in the field of education
Government Higher Primary School at Navaratna Agrahara
In 2019, Colaco donated an international standard, state of the art Government Higher Primary School at Navaratna Agrahara of Bengaluru with complete hi-tech facilities of around 12000 sft, which has hit the State and National headlines. Earlier also during 2002 a fully equipped Govt. Higher primary School was provided in the same campus where one of the classrooms was donated by Yvonne Robert in memory of his departed daughter Anjali. In 2003 a fully equipped Government High School was provided at Sadahalli Village of Devanahalli Taluk by Colaco after witnessing the children that were being taught under a tree, just 20 km drive from the world-famous Bangalore capital.
Government High School at Sadahalli village
Colaco has given huge financial aid to the establishment of Rambhapuri Jagadguru school in Balehonnur of Chikkamagaluru district, Sri Rama school of Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district and Jagadguru Renukacharya School at Uddeborenahalli of Birur Taluk of Chikkamagalur District many years ago. He has provided a whole computer block for the new campus of St Aloysius College of Mangaluru, a new Computer Block for Sophia High School in Bangalore, one wing of the St. Josephs PU college at Chikkamagalur, one section of PU college of Rosario Cathedral in Mangaluru and many more. In 1991, Colaco donated one building, out of three buildings, for ITI courses at Konaje of Mangaluru for Xavier’s Education Trust, initiated and managed by J.J.V Fernandes, F.M. Lobo and others, for educating poor children. In addition, he also collected Rs 14 lac from his NRI relatives and friends and contributed towards the construction of administration block of the organization.
A complete Arunodaya special school for differently-abled children was gifted by Ronald Colaco at Karkala. In the huge slum of Bijapur, 30 computer centers were provided for 850 slum children. Big financial aid was given for the construction and management of Mahatma Gandhi residential school established by former chief minister of Karnataka M. Veerappa Moily. Five Anganawadi Schools in Bijapur and 3 Anganawadi Schools in Mundugod of Karwar Taluk were provided by Colaco at the request of Fr. Arun Luis.
Uniform and books are sponsored by Colaco for thousands of poor children studying in government and charitable educational institutions since many years. Huge financial support extended to more than 64 schools and colleges of Mangaluru, Udupi, Karwar, Bengaluru Rural, Hassan, Shivamogga, Chikkamagalur, Bijapur, Bihar and Goa for 25 years. Colaco also shouldered the food, clothing and educational expenses of 18 orphans in KGF of Kolar district from 2004 for many years. Colaco has helped in providing quality education to rural students by recruiting and giving salaries to 12 teachers in various government rural higher primary schools for all these years since the year 2000.
Contributions to housing for poor
Ronald Colaco has arrange for 20 houses, each costing Rs 2.25 Lakhs at Souhardanagara Colony of Moodbidri taluk of Mangaluru, which was initiated by another great donor Eric Correa and has distributed the same to economically poor families belonging to Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities. He has also donated a huge financial aid to the Diocese of Mangaluru, who undertook similar project mentioned above for the sake of poor Christian families. A number of farmers and villagers have received huge financial aid from Colaco for the construction of their houses.
Drinking water facility to Water Scarce villages
Tractor and trailer, mounted with the water tankers, were gifted in order to distribute water to various villages in Bengaluru rural district and Kannamangala panchayat area who face drinking water issue. Colaco has also provided several borewells to resolve the drinking water issue and installed electrical transformers at his own cost in many villages that fall under Kannamangala and Jalige gram panchayat areas of Bangalore Rural District.
Contributions to Panchayat Raj department
Colaco has donated by completing a very little done and abandoned building and complete furniture to Kannamangala gram panchayat of Bengaluru Rural district. Similarly, Jalige Panchayat building’s finishing works and furniture was donated by Colaco. He has also provided ultra-modern printer and photocopier machine to Kannamangala gram panchayat, which has helped to distribute Khata and other records in a fast manner to the public. Similarly, a Hi-tech photocopier was provided to the Sub-Registrar’s office at Devanahalli to expedite and disperse the public attending for registration formalities.
Contribution to Judiciary Department
Vakilara Bhavana - Devanahalli (Advocate Bhavan)
Looking at the distress of various victims of litigation while dealing with their counsels in a pathetic environment outside the Court Halls, Colaco has provided and donated a well-equipped Lawyers Bhavan at the campus of judiciary department, near Bengaluru international airport. He has also got the distinction of first such civilian of the country to provide such a noble gift to the judiciary department.
Contribution to Horticulture Department
Colaco has provided and donated a HopCom shop belonging to the horticulture department at Fraser Town in Bengaluru in modern style by installing steel racks and huge mirrors thereby facilitating to sell fruits and vegetables in a hygienic and attractive manner to the customers to set an example for other HopCom shops to follow.
Contribution to PWD / Zilla Panchayat for Roads
Colaco has provided and donated a four-lane asphalted road with pavements & storm water drains on both sides and central median having streetlights for a total stretch of 2.5 km near Bengaluru international airport. The then chief minister of Karnataka, D V Sadananda Gowda had inaugurated the same and the local authority has honored Colaco by naming the road after him. Colaco has provided and donated to the City Corporation of Mangaluru, Tillery road near Mangala Devi temple at Bolar, with asphalt, pavements and drains on either side.
Contributions for community Centers
Colaco has provided huge financial aid for the construction of Sarvadharma Samaja Bhavana of Brahmakumaris at Vijayapura and Vokkaligara Bhavana at Doddaballapur of Bengaluru Rural district. Ronald Colaco has provided 30% of the cost of fully furnished magnificent Konkan Bhavan in Bengaluru as an identity of the Mangalorean Konkans of all communities. His son Nigel Colaco shouldered the complete responsibility of the building & furnishing this Bhavan and also for the arrangement of finance for the same. He has made immense aid for the Konkan Bhavan constructed at Mysuru and provided help to establish Non-sectarian Universal Peace and Service Center on Dharmarayanagara - Bangarpete road of Kolar. This organization was founded by former regional commissioner N R Subbarao. Colaco was fully responsible for establishing a 4-Star luxurious Catholic Club at Chikkamagalur by inspiring many Catholics of that region and also by contributing fully for one wing of accommodation, a mini-auditorium and bar & restaurant facilities
Contributions to Revenue Department
Devanahalli taluk office
Colaco has provided and donated the Devanahalli taluk office in Bengaluru Rural district in 2006 with all the furniture and computer hall for distribution of the required records for the public and provided a toilet block for the public along with eight stalls in the campus for the requirements of the public. He has also provided the required partitioning and complete furniture for the Mini Vidhana Soudha that is built near the Bangalore International airport.
Aid towards natural disasters and Covid-19 pandemic
A substantial sum was donated to government relief fund during 2004 Tsunami disaster. A letter of appreciation to this effect is given by the then Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna. INR 2 Million aid is given to construct emergency houses for victims of earthquake and landslides of Kodagu district. Colaco provided 20 sewing machines and established sewing training center at KGF when Kolar Gold Fields mining was closed and many people committed suicide as they lost their livelihood.
Though Ronald Colaco was stuck overseas during Covid-19, due to travel restrictions, he provided various food grocery packets consisting of 17 to 20 different ration items for more than 18,000 poor families of various villages, who were distraught due to no work, under the limits of Kannamangala, Jalige, Doddajala and Settigere gram panchayats. In addition, he also provided food groceries to personnel of health department, Anganwadi, Asha workers, differently abled people, journalists and personnel of all the seven police stations of these areas. This matter has been acknowledged in various newspapers, electronic media and YouTube by several local leaders.
Ronald Colaco also reached-out to needy people during the April-May lockdown period in a big way. His silent work during the lockdown was hailed by villagers in particular in his native place in Bengaluru.
Contributions in religious field of 3 major communities
Hindu temples
Colaco created history by constructing & donating the Sri Muneshwara temple at Bovipalya of Navaratna Agrahara of Bengaluru in 1999. This was the first instance of a Christian providing a Hindu temple in the entire country. Colaco is honored as the single largest donor in the construction of Suryanarayana temple at Maroli of Mangaluru, the single largest donor for the newly re-built Sri Chennakeshava Swamy temple of Hoysala period’s ruins near Chikkajala and second largest donor of Goddess Mutthiyalamma in Doddajala, both of Bengaluru Urban and also the single largest donor of Sri Muthuraya Swamy temple at Ilathore village of Bengaluru Rural.
Sri Chennakeshava Swamy temple
Earlier, Colaco has donated for the cold-water drinking facility at Kateel Temple in Mangalore & Kitchen facilities at Gokarna Temple in Mangalore apart from initial help extended to Sri Venkataramanaswamy temple of Tarabanahalli of Bengaluru in 1993. Similarly, he has contributed to the construction/renovation of more than 34 Hindu temples in Karnataka.
Christian Churches
Yelahanka Church
Colaco is the first person in the history of India, who has single-handedly through his son, Nigel Colaco, constructed a 1000-seater church at Yelahanka of Bengaluru. Colaco has also given financial assistance in building more than 60 churches in the states of Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Bihar.
Muslim Mosques
Complete carpet that was required for the Gurpur Masjid of Mangaluru is donated by Colaco. He has provided financial aid to the mosque that is built at Sringeri.
Contributions in the field of art and culture
Colaco has donated the administrative block at a cost of Rs one crore for the Konkani Kala Kendra at Ashoknagar of Mangaluru. He has made huge donation to the World Konkani center established in Mangaluru by Basti Vaman Shenoy and given encouragement to the development of Konkani language, culture and art. Colaco has contributed 25% of the cost of Rs 4.5 crore for the land that is acquired to build Konkani Museum. Colaco has played a stellar role in establishing the Konkani Sahitya Academy in 1994 as per the guidance of the then chief minister of Karnataka M Veerappa Moily. Huge financial aids were provided by Colaco to the Gulf Voice of Mangalore to encourage Konkani Singer Talents, foreign tour and programs of Konkani, Tulu and Kannada Artists in Gulf and London region, much talked about 25 – day long World Konkani Cultural Convention, Mega multi-day programs like Konkani Porab as well as Konkani Saanth etc.
Assistance & encouragement to athletes
Colaco has encouraged a number of sports personalities by providing financial aid to bodybuilder Raymond D'Souza who bagged Mr World title in 1994 in Japan, and Rohan Ferrao, bodybuilder, who secured gold medal at international level, Rose Mary Prescilla who bagged a gold medal in the international level women's Kabaddi tournament that was held at Iran, and G A Stany of Koppa taluk of Chikkamagalur who bagged state-level championship in chess. Colaco has given Rs 10 lac towards the training and travelling expenses of Bhavani / Rachana of Kodagu who was sent to New Zealand for training in mountaineering and skiing who excelled in that sport. Colaco was the main sponsor and gave huge financial aid to the 50th All India Senior Ball Badminton championship which was held in February 2005 at Bengaluru, and the main sponsor of the 53rd National Amateur Body Building championship that took place in Mangaluru in 2006. Colaco is helping under-19 national level football players in Bengaluru since some years as main sponsor.
Contributions for mass marriages of economically poor people of society
Ronald Colaco has contributed financially for the mass marriage of poor people organized by Rosario Cathedral of Mangaluru. He also financially aided the mass marriage of Dalits which was organized by Koramangala Muniyappa for many years in Devanahalli taluk.
Aid to organizations taking care of differently abled, psychologically ill and orphans
Colaco is bearing for many years till now the cost of two lunches per month for all inmates of St Joseph’s Prashant Nivas of Destitutes, Mangaluru. He has financially helped to install the pavement for the wide verandah and the asphalting of the inside roads of St Antony's Orphanage in Mangaluru which looks after the destitute and orphans. He is shouldering the educational, books and food expenses of 18 orphans in Kolar since many years. Colaco has given financial aid for the construction of St Jude Ashram at Pakshikere in Dakshina Kannada district in the year 2008. Rs one million contribution is given to the ashram of mentally challenged and lunatics that is established at Belthangady of Dakshina Kannada district.
Helping hand to youth for training of their work skills
When KGF was closed many families had to starve as they lost their livelihood. Colaco, through the guidance of Rev W Ravichandran, donated 20 modern sewing machines to the women in 2002. Colaco has donated four modern sewing machines to train poor women to learn stitching at Kinnigoli of Mangaluru. Colaco donated Rs 2.5 million to provide the youth of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi to pay initial amount to buy autorickshaws and taxi vehicles on loan from MCC Bank of Mangaluru and find a livelihood for them and their families. Colaco donated Rs 11 million towards making a provision of generating income to meet expenses of educational institutions in the Diocese of Shivamogga that provide education and employment to poor children.
Colaco has been giving an aid of Rs one million per year and off late half million since a few years in order to conduct training workshops for Christian youths of Karnataka so that they can form their future.
Helping youth of Christian community to prepare for competitive examinations
Though the people belonging to the Christian community are giving excellent service in the fields of education, health and social service, their contribution in politics, executive and judiciary fields is very minimal. Colaco has set up 60 IFKCA centers at Hobli, taluk and district levels and through elected committees is inspiring the youths to contest for gram panchayat, taluk and zilla panchayat elections just to create awareness and obtain the available benefits and facilities under various Govt. schemes for minorities. Colaco has also extensively helped for the training of talented Christian Youth to prepare for the KAS / IAS / IPS exams as organized by the Red Cross Society of Bangalore diocese. All the expenses of these centers are born by Ronald Colaco.
Suggestions to State Government for the development of essential infrastructure
Bengaluru Agenda Task Force was formed in the year 2000-01, when S M Krishna was the chief minister, based on the written suggestions given by Dr. M. Veerappa Moily and Ronald Colaco, for the development of essential Civic Facilities and Infrastructure in the capital. Similarly, at the initiative of Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, the Coastal Agenda Task Force was formed under Dr. Vinay Hegde and Ronald Colaco was nominated as the Chairman of Infrastructure Task Force wherein the team headed by Colaco had suggested the government for the expansion of Mangaluru international airport, upgradation & development of sea port facilities and infrastructure, expansion and betterment of Mangaluru railway station & railway line work between Mangaluru – Sakleshpur which was possible for Colaco by using the help of the then Defense Minister George Fernandes and his Party Railway Minister Nitish Kumar, formation of double road from Mangalore to Udupi, one to Bantwal and another to Ullal / Kasaragod, widening of approach roads to the airport, bettering all roads leading to tourists stations & historical religious places in the districts of Mangaluru and Udupi. Most of the development works suggested by this team have been nearly completed by the government.
Financial aid even for the Departed Souls
Colaco has provided cold storage facility for preserving the mortal remains of deceased in the town of Chikkamagalur, and also provided hearse to transport the mortal remains of deceased belonging to the poor families of Chikkamagalur. He has given financial aid to the construction of cemetery at Mukkamar of Udupi, and financial aid given to construct Cemetery and compound wall around the same at Newtown Church of Yelahanka. Colaco has immensely helped the families of Indian, Mangaluru and Goa origin, who are settled in Mississauga town of Canada, to buy land in cemetery for the purpose of burial of their dead family members. Similarly, complete enclosure for the graveyard with compound wall and room facility has been provided for the large settlement of Budga Jangam community at Singrahalli Village of Devanahalli Taluk.
Awards and recognitions for Ronald Colaco
Colaco has conferred with several regional, national and international awards. The details of which are as follows:
1. Colaco was conferred with the 'Australian Meritorious Service award' on October 28, 2015 in Melbourne for his leadership in serving the mankind. This award is given by the office of the prime minister of Australia. Colaco was the only person who was selected for the coveted award from over 80 countries.
Australian Meritorious Service award
2. ‘Times Now Global Indian of the year Award 2017' was conferred on Ronald Colaco in July 2017. He is the only person who was selected among representatives from 110 countries.
Times Now Global Indian of the year Award 2017
3. The then CM of Karnataka Siddaramaiah conferred, the State’s Highest Award, 'Karnataka Rajyotsava Award 2017' on Ronald Colaco and honored him for his long-term extensive service to society.
Karnataka Rajyotsava Award 2017
4. Premier of Ontario, Canada, on behalf of the Canadian government, honored Ronald Colaco at the main parliament house of Toronto on October 15, 2018. He also presented him an appreciation certificate stating, “Your internationally recognized charitable works benefitting the less fortunate are an inspiration to us all”. Colaco & his wife were the first guests to have received this honour in the history of Ontario parliament of Canada.
5. Colaco was honored by the member of parliament of Mississauga-Lakeshore of Ontario province at the parliament house of Queens Park Toronto on October 15, 2018. He was presented with the congratulatory plaque for securing the '2018 Canara World Visionary Award'.
6. Canara Vision Inc of Canada honored Ronald Colaco with 'Canara World Visionary Award' on October 9, 2018 at their fourth annual programme that was held at Mississauga. Colaco was invited for presenting the award from Dubai.
Canara World Visionary Award
7. President of India, late Dr A P J Abdul Kalam awarded 'Indian Club Centenary Award' to Ronald Colaco in 2015 at Bahrain. This programme was organized to honour the entrepreneurs who had contributed immensely to the humanitarian and social needs in India and other parts of the world.
8. Ronald Colaco was honored by offering him Mysuru Peta in 2004 by the then CM of Karnataka Dharam Singh along with the then police commissioner of Bengaluru Mariswamy in recognition of constructing and donating state of the art police station at Frazer Town of Bengaluru.
9. Former deputy prime minister of India L K Advani gave the title 'Vishwa Konkani Samaja Ratna' to Ronald Colaco at the valedictory ceremony of the World Konkani cultural convention that was held in 2010 at Mangaluru.
Vishwa Konkani Samaja Ratna award
10. Colaco was honored with 'The Pearl of Konkani Community' by Konkani Cultural Association of United Kingdom in a programme that was held at Harrow center of London on October 22, 2017.
11. Indian ambassador to UAE presented 'Konkan Ratna Award' to Ronald Colaco in 2013 for his humanitarian service in India.
Konkan Ratna Award
12. Title of 'Konkan Kunvar' by KCWA, Kuwait, 'Konkan Rai Saheb' award by MCCP, Muscat, title of 'Tulunada Bolpu' by Doha Qatar Tulu Koota (TKQ), and the title 'Daya Samrat' by MCC of Doha Qatar, in recognition of his social, people-oriented and humanitarian service that are a model to others.
Konkan Kunvar award (Kuwait)
Konkan Rai Saheb award (Oman)
Tulunada Bolpu (Tulu Koota - Doha)
Daya Samrat award - Doha
13. Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Karnataka government awarded Ronald Colaco with 'Konkani Samaja Seva Award' in 2004.
14. Rachana of Mangaluru honored Colaco with the award 'NRI entrepreneur of the year 2006'.
15. Colaco was given special honour for his endowment and social works at a mammoth ceremony that was held at Birur of Chikkamagalur in 2006 by the former CM of Karnataka H D Kumaraswamy.
16. International association of Lions Club presented Ronald Colaco with a plaque of appreciation in 2009 at Mangaluru in recognition of his social and humanitarian works in various fields.
17. Sri Jagadguru Rambhapuri, religious leader of Veera Simhasana Mahasamstana Peeta, Balehonnur of Chikkamagalur district honored Colaco with the title 'Dharma Prabhodhana Chathura' in 2009 in recognition of his social, endowment and humanitarian work regardless of religion and caste. More than 32 Swamijis, Siddaiah (IAS), C.T. Ravi, Dharme Gowda and many other politicians as well as the audience of over 20000 were present at the event.
Dharma Prabhodhana Chathura award
18. Former union labour minister and leader of opposition of Lok Sabha Mallikarjun M Kharge presented prestigious FKCA award 'Samajika Atmasakshiya Prashasti 2011' to Ronald Colaco.
19. Social service of Ronald Colaco was recognized by the Diocese of Mangaluru and the Bishop conferred the title 'Good Samaritan' on him.
20. Ronald Colaco was conferred with the 'World Rajiv Gandhi Award' on November 14, 2004 during the 49th Kannada Rajyotsava ceremony that was held in Bengaluru for building good environment-friendly construction.
21. Ronald Colaco was conferred with the ‘Chaitanya Shri Award’ by the Shimoga Diocese in recognition of his long-term humanitarian services.
22. Colaco was honored with shawl and Mysore Peta by the Chief Minister, Siddharamaiah in the presence of State and Central Ministers and High Court Judges for having donated a State of the Art Judiciary Bhavan near Bangalore International Airport.
23. Donald Trump, president of USA, which is considered as the strongest nation in the world, invited Colaco within 12 days of assuming power as the president, on February 2, 2016 for his National Prayer Breakfast Meeting for the first time. He also invited the Colaco couple for the second time for the same meeting on February 8, 2017. This was a great honour for Ronald Colaco for his philanthropic work and also a matter of pride for India.
24. Colaco has been awarded with 'Vishwa Bhushan' title by Catholic Sabha Mangalore during a massive community rally in Belthangady.
24. Apart from all the above, Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa, owned by Ronald Colaco has received 12 international awards in various countries around the world such as Spain, U.S.A., Germany, Austria, Singapore, Oman, U.A.E., U.K. etc. The organization has got 9 awards in India too. For which Colaco has been praising the sincere and dedicated works of the CEO Balaji M. and his team under the able guidance of Vivek Kumar, Managing Director of the Clarks Group of Hotels.