Federation Day 2008
Bangalore, Jan 27, 2008: FKCA, on it's 10th anniversary, celebrated the annual Federation Day at St. Joseph’s Indian High School grounds, Bangalore. The program began at 4 PM with Holy Mass in Konkani concelebrated with Archbishop of Bangalore, His Grace Most Rev. Bernard Moras.
Prof. BK Chandrashekar (Chairman, Karnataka Legislative Council) was the chief guest of the program. FKCA President Mr. Valerian Fernandes welcomed the gathering. FKCA general secretary Mr. Charles Gomes presented the annual report.
The following persons were conferred with the year's awards:
Mr John D'Silva was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been intimately associated with the cooperative movement for well over three decades. Hailing from a small hamlet of Sanoor in Karkal taluk (Udupi district), he had made his mark in the cooperative sector in Mumbai and Maharashtra. A self-made man, who left for Mumbai at a young age after his secondary education in Karkala, he passed his SSC by attending night school in 1955 and did his B.A., B.Com and LL.B while working. He was the chief promoter and first managing director of Abhyudaya Cooperative Bank Ltd and has involved himself in several cooperative banks and institutions in Maharashtra. He was instrumental in starting several educational institutions and involved himself in multi-farous social service activities.
Mr Albert Wilfred D'Souza, managing director of Printania Offset Pvt Ltd, which is one of leading printing house in India with several modern facilities and initiatives in printing technology, was conferred with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He is intimately associated with several educational, cooperative and social service activities in Maharashtra as Chairman of Model Cooperative Bank Ltd and Vice Chairman of Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is the key figure in the establishment of St Francis Engineering College, Borivili, Mumbai, St. Xavier Engineering College, Mahim, Mumbai Don Bosco Engineering College, Kurla, Mubai. He is serving as Executive Committee Member in the above colleges as also the St Joseph's Engineering College, Mangalore, St Francis MBA College, Borivli, Mumbai, St Xavier's MBA College, DhobiTalao besides being the Executive Committee member of Karuna Hospital, Borivli, Mumbai and Advisory Board Member of Holy Family Hospital, Mumbai.
Mr Allan C Pereira was conferred with the Professional Excellence Award. He is currently serving as the Executive Director of Oriental Bank of Commerce with a total business of over Rs 116,000 crore and 1350 fully computerized branch network all over the country as of March 2006. The Government of India has since selected him and empanelled him for appointment as Chairman and Managing Director of a Public Sector Bank. Born in Mangalore, he did his primary education at St Joseph's Higher Primary School, Kulshekar, and later did his B.A. and M.S.W. specializing in Labor Welfare and Industrial Organization. Joining the Syndicate Bank as a Specialist Officer (Personnel) in May 1973 in the Junior Management Grade, he quickly rose from position to position to become the General Manager in Syndicate Bank in the top Executive Grade in November 2002. He has also served as Personnel Adviser in the Indian Banks' Association at Mumbai comprising over 170 public sector, private sector and foreign banks in India.
The FKCA's website www.fkca.net was launched by the chief guest Prof. BK Chandrashekar. Sopon a Konkani Songs Album composed by Dream Tonez was released by the Most Rev. Bishop.
Prof. BK Chandrashekar in his address to the gathering lauded the contribution of Christians to society in India and expressed concerns over the community being attacked by some fanatics. He also called upon the community to take active role in politics. Most Rev. Bishop, in his speech, reiterated Prof. Chandrashekar's view on Christians and politics, and called upon the Catholics to have a positive outlook towards political establishments.
Lullus Cutina proposed vote of thanks. Mrs. Albina Vaz compeered the program. The program followed until late evening with the member associations presenting cultural programs.
