Media Release

Mangaluru, Oct 16: Rachana Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced the names of five eminent personalities of diverse fields who would be conferred with its prestigious awards. The award ceremony will be held on November 17 at 6 pm at Milagres Jubilee Hall.

The awardees are Faye D’Souza (Rachana Professional of the year), Ronald Castelino (Rachana Entrepreneur of the year), Lawrence Pinto (Rachana Agriculturist of the year), Aloysius Richard Lobo (Rachana NRI of the year) and Sr Maria Jyothi A C (Rachana Woman of the year).

The awards were announced on Tuesday, October 16 in city by Rachana office bearers.  

The ceremony will be presided over by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangaluru diocese. Dr Charles Lobo, IPS, chief post master general, Karnataka Circle will be the chief guest and Ronald Colaco, NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist, Bengaluru will be the guest of honour.

Members present in the press meet were, Stany Alvares, president, Elias Sanctis, vice-president, John B. Monteiro, convener, Rachana Awards 2018, Felix J Pinto, treasurer and Anil Vas, secretary.

Faye D’Souza, Executive Editor, Mirror Now

Faye D’Souza is an award winning journalist and the executive editor of Mirror Now and hosts the flagship show, ‘The Urban Debate’. Over the last year Faye has lead the editorial team at Mirror Now, to break the conventions of news television and prime time viewing to refocus on the issues that really matter to the Indian citizens . Faye’s focus on accountability of government, responsible taxation, safety of women and children, education, health and urban development has also resulted in several policy changes and impact developments that have proven that journalists can still bring about improvements in the status quo. Under Faye’s leadership, Mirror Now has been the recipient of multiple awards this year for Social media, Reporting, Anchoring and Editorial.

Faye is the journalist for the millennials – young, fresh and brutally honest.

She spent her initial years in the world of business news with CNBC TV 18, where she was in the thick of things related to state policies, economic offences and personal finance. She subsequently joined the Times Network as it was stamping its authority into television news in 2008.

She has a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and English Literature.

Ronald Castelino (Roy Castelino)

Ronald Castelino, former president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya  Academy is popularly known as Roy Castelino. During his tenure, he has worked with the motto 'Konkani education - Konkani literature - Konkani culture'. He has succeeded in his mission by providing all-around co-operation for the study of Konkani in schools, publishing of 75 Konkani books written by various writers on various subjects at two books per month and introduced 'Mobile Konkani Bazaar', a unique project to spread the flavour of Konkani literature and music to each and every household. Out of the 41 Konkani communities of Karnataka, Roy has interacted with more than 30 communities and organized more than 200 programmes to radiate the Konkani language. Roy Castelino has organized fellowship training and workshops through the special grant for the Konkani speaking backward communities like Siddi and Dalit Konkani people. The establishment of Konkani study center in Mangaluru University is one of the important milestones of his tenure. He has also extended co-operation in starting Master of Arts (M.A.) in Konkani language in the university.

Roy Castelino has donned several responsible positions in the society. He is the founder president of Konkani Prachar Sanchalan and president for two terms of Rachana - Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Roy is the former member of Karnataka Konkani Literature Academy. He is serving as the sponsor of Maand Sobhann, an important cultural organization of Konkani language. He was the former treasurer of the World Konkani Organization and former president of Lion's Club, Kulshekar. He is the present trustee of Sandesha Education and Cultural Foundation. He is serving as the president of Pragati Co-operative society since 15 years. Roy is also serving as a nominated member of the Diocesan Parish Council of Mangaluru Diocese. Roy Castelino, who is a science graduate, established 'Roy Constructions' 32 years ago and is known as one of the successful entrepreneurs of Mangaluru. He is an able and successful leader without any doubt. Though he is a Christian, he has kept harmonious relation with people of all religion of the society.

Aloysius Richard Lobo

Aloysius Richard Lobo, BA, LLB, GDA, GDCS who hails from Karkala town of Udupi District is inspiring to young Mangalurean entrepreneurs. His ups and downs in the business life are truly a lesson to be learnt for aspiring entrepreneurs and the young generation today.

Lobo was instrumental in providing job opportunities to more than 150 Mangalureans and Indians in general during his business days in Oman. He has also been a key support to many Mangalureans to start business as well as get a job in London. Lobo initiated the first public Monthi Fest celebration in London and ever since he has been inviting more than 350 Mangalureans who work around the UK. He is the backbone of Konkani cultural events in London. After SSLC, Lobo went to Mumbai at the age of 18. In SSLC, he obtained 100% in Maths and 86% in book keeping. He completed two degrees and another four years of professional courses in Mumbai.

In 1974, he went to Muscat as an Accountant. Soon he started meat business in Oman.  Lobo reached London in late November 1990. Instead of doing meat business he ended up doing fish business without any prior knowledge of the field.

He opened his first rented shop in London in February 1991. Lobo’s hard work resulted in the establishment of 17 of his own fish outlets across London. The outlets are aptly named ‘Lobo Fisheries’. In 2010 Lobo forayed into meat and poultry business along with his son. They established a modern factory to processes meat and poultry on a 50,000 sq. ft premises for which his son received the Young Entrepreneur Award. Boosted by the response, they opened another seven chain shops to market processed meat and poultry.

His wife Christine is a former lecturer and the couple has a daughter Cheryl who is a Doctor and a son Keith who looks after business.

Lawrence Pinto

Lawrence has been awarded for his skill to convert the 20 acres of farmland into a model farm growing areca, rubber and coconut garden with animal husbandry to supplicate the income. And using innovative farming approaches towards irrigation, manure and other activities like generating green organic manure within the farm through in-house compositing.

He has served 15 years as Gurkar of Algangar Church and also extended his service in Catholic Sabha, Parish Pastoral Council and Rotart Club as a member.

He has been awarded from the Moodbidri Co-operative Service Bank with the Excellent Farmer Award for 2015, K Somappa Suvarna Award for 2016 from late Somappa Suvarna Neralu Nempu Committee identifying his services in agriculture, and Excellent Agriculturist Award for 2017 during Silver Jubilee celebration of Catholic Sabha, Moodbidri.

Setting benchmarks to prove that intelligent farming techniques reap dividends in today’s world and society within city limits.

Above all, silently being involved in the Agricultural Growth of our country where farm produce and supply is most essential to curb inflation.

Sr Maria Jyothi A C

Sr Maria Jyothi AC has the qualifications of BA, BEd, MA (Spl Ed) DSE (MR) to her credit. She is a nun belonging to The Apostolic Carmel community.

Sr Maria Jyothi worked as Special Educator and the Founder Principal of St Agnes Special School, Mangaluru from 1970 to 2001, as Prinicipal, St Agnes Teacher Training Institute for Special Education from 1992 to date as Core faculty- Special Education DSE(MR) from 2002-2004 and Co-ordinator RCI-Courses-DPEP& Bridge Course - study centre Madhya Pradesh, Bhoj (Open) University - Bhopal. BEd. Special Education (SEDE), Foundation Course on Education of Children with Disabilities FC (SEDE), Post graduate Professional Diploma PGPD (SEDE) from 2001 to date.

She is the member of Governing Body - Community Based Rehabilitation Forum-Bangalore and of Sarva Shiksha Abiyana Mangaluru division.

She helped to open the institutions for the mentally challenged children that include. Lion's Special School- Suratkal Mangaluru,Manasa Rehabiliation Centre- Pamboor, Lion's Speical School, Venur, now Chirst Raj Navachethana Special School Venur, St Mary's Special School- Kinnigoli, Carmel Vikas Kendr- Bailhongal, Belgaum and C.B.R. Programme- Bailhongal, Belgaum.

She has received Rajyothsava State award for Social Work and Rotary Vocational Excellence A ward 2004-2005.

About Rachana

It was in the year 1998 that Catholic businessmen, agriculturists and professionals formed Rachana, with an objective of encouraging youth to take up entrepreneurship, for training them in investment and for supporting them with technical backup. In the last 20 years Rachana has worked to achieve its goals and has trained over 200 youth through Rachana Entrepreneur Development Cell (REDC). The youth who have been trained thereby have started printing press, Nano Taxi, poultry farming, candle manufacturing and other enterprises. Rachana has recognized the successful entrepreneurs, professionals, agriculturists, NRI entrepreneurs and women who have achieved in their distinctive field and brought them into limelight, more so that their example may be emulated by the young and the upcoming.

Rachana had also organized Magnet 2014 Conference in April, which was attended by Catholic achievers from the world over.