Media Release
New Delhi, May 26: Mangaluru-based entrepreneur and youth leader Denis D’Silva has officially been elected and has assumed charge as the president of the Global Business Fellowship India (GBF) during the Annual Global GBF Meet held on May 23, at The Suryaa Hotel, New Friends Colony, New Delhi.
The national-level gathering brought together hundreds of Christian entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals and delegates from various parts of India for a full-day conference focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, networking and community empowerment.
The prestigious event was presided over by Archbishop Anil J T Couto, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and chief patron of GBF. Justice Kurian Joseph, former Supreme Court judge and YMCA national president, was the chief guest. Asir Ebenezer, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), along with several prominent entrepreneurs and industry leaders, was also present.
The newly elected office-bearers are:
Barnabas Nongbah, Shillong – Vice president
Jose Kurian Yohannan, Delhi – General secretary
Adv P I Jose, Delhi – Secretary
Mathew Eapen, Bengaluru – Treasurer
Rahul George, Bengaluru – Joint treasurer
Fr Tomy Joseph, Delhi – Executive council member
Asirvatham D, Delhi – Executive council member
Addressing the gathering, Archbishop Anil J T Couto appreciated the rapid growth of GBF and stressed the importance of encouraging Christian youth and women to take up entrepreneurship and leadership roles in society. He stated that Christian entrepreneurship should evolve into value-based entrepreneurship focused on service, transformation, ethical values and community upliftment rather than profit alone.
Justice Kurian Joseph appreciated the GBF initiative and emphasised the need for ethical and value-based business leadership in today’s society. He also expressed optimism regarding future collaboration between GBF and the National Council of YMCAs of India in empowering youth through entrepreneurship, leadership and skill development initiatives.
The conference featured keynote sessions, networking interactions, investment discussions, startup presentations, regional business proposals and panel discussions centred around the theme ‘Collaboration Over Competition’. Entrepreneurs from different states shared testimonies on how GBF networking had created opportunities for business growth, mentorship, partnerships and collaborative ventures.
Global Business Fellowship (GBF), functioning under the guidance of CBCI, is a global movement of Christian entrepreneurs and professionals committed to building a spiritually grounded and economically strong business ecosystem. The organization focuses on entrepreneurship promotion, startup support, mentorship, networking, women empowerment, leadership development and faith-driven business leadership.
Denis D’Silva is the former regional president of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), Karnataka region. Apart from his entrepreneurial and social engagements, he is also active in public and political life and currently serves as the president of the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Campaign Committee.
He is actively involved in Konkani cultural movements and serves as the president of Ami Ani Amchim, the premier cultural association behind ‘PePeRe PePe Dum’, the well-known brass band festival of Coastal Karnataka.
Through his leadership in business, youth empowerment, cultural initiatives and community service, Denis D’Silva continues to contribute actively towards social and community development.